Volkswagen hopes to repair its reputation with an electric, autonomous concept car

[midian182]

Samsung’s reputation may have taken a beating following the overheating Galaxy Note 7 saga, but it’s nothing compared to the damage done to Volkswagen after last year’s revelations that it cheated on emissions tests. Now, the German car manufacturer is trying to repair customer trust with its electric and fully-autonomous concept car, the I.D.

Volkswagen showed off some images of the I.D. at the Paris Motor Show over the weekend. It also unveiled a futuristic short video of the car (below), demonstrating how features such as the “collect me” app and retractable steering wheel might work.

The car will be Volkswagen’s first vehicle to use its Modular Electric Drive Kit. The company says it will have a range of 373 miles on just a single charge, and that all its future electric cars will be based on the I.D’s design, using similar parts and component.

Volkswagen wants the I.D. to be its first fully autonomous vehicle. The steering wheel disappears into the dashpad when drivers touch the logo, activating the self-driving I.D. pilot mode. The feature may not available when the car launches in 2020, but the company promises the system will be available in the I.D. by 2025.

Other specs include a 168bhp electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, wireless charging with the option of plugging it into the mains, and the ability to charge up to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes. Moreover, the trunk can be used as mailbox, whereby delivery services can locate the car using GPS and are granted permission to open the trunk using an app and drop off parcels. Owners are then notified of the delivery and the boot is locked. "Volkswagen is currently working with international logistics service providers to implement this innovative concept," the company says.

It will take time before people can trust Volkswagen after it used special software to beat emissions testing. While the company refused to relate the I.D. with Dieselgate, it no doubt sees an electric car as a step toward repairing its damaged reputation and showing it can be an eco-friendly company.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/66535-volkswagen-hopes-repair-reputation-electric-autonomous-concept-car.html

 

[RustyTech]

Now, the German car manufacturer is trying to repair customer trust with its electric and fully-autonomous concept car, the I.D.

I guess we'll just see if all that becomes of this is a "concept" or if it will actually go into production for sale.

 

[Arris]

The steering wheel disappears into the dashpad when drivers touch the logo, activating the self-driving I.D. pilot mode.

For the early generation of autonomous cars I feel hiding the steering wheel, which I presume would be needed if anything malfunctioned with the auto pilot, isn't the smartest design. Hopefully that is just for the flashy concept car and not planned for the first production vehicles.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I've already forgotten about VW cheating on emission tests, it's all water under the bridge now and I'd still consider them when buying a ride.
What 'big' manufacturer doesn't cheat on something anyway? Just try not to be caught out.

 

[VitalyT]

Modern cars do not need flappy doors or retractable steering wheels. They need a battery pack that can last.

Throwing in a bunch of useless gimmicks isn't gonna get you anywhere.

Even in the in the luxury segment this holds true. For example, the new BMW 7 is a complete flop next to the S-class. They stuffed the new model with a ton of useless gimmicks that people forget in 5 minutes, instead of focusing on things that matter.

 

[wiyosaya]

Chasing the car around to try to deliver packages to it seems wacky to me. I suppose that that feature is predicated on having the car parked at one location for several hours.

 

[Reehahs]

Those rear doors will be smacking things behind the car like no tomorrow.

 

[CaptainTom]

From pressure diamonds are made. Hopefully they will make something excellent.


Having said that the Jetta I drive for work has **** quality compared to the Ford I used to drive for my company. I am really starting to wonder if "Das Auto" is a load of crap...