VOLKSWAGEN ID. CODE CONCEPT REVEALS FUTURE OF VW DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Volkswagen took the stage at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, or Auto China for short, to announce that the ID. family of all-electric vehicles would expand to 16 models by the turn of the decade, and those in China will be directly influenced by this concept: the ID. Code, something that makes the ID. Buzz look like it's from a different company altogether.

We won't get too deep into the industry news because it pertains mostly to China, but the headlines are that VW will not only introduce more electric versions of existing ICE cars but also launch 12 new combustion-powered cars and six separate hybrids by 2030. On top of that, Volkswagen China Technology Company will develop its first electric platform for the market with "at least four additional models for the electric entry-level segment" on the China Main Platform from 2026.

In summary, Volkswagen outlined a multi-pronged approach to the market in an effort to "meet all needs." Toyota, is that you?

Ridiculous But Amazing Technology

VW proclaims that this car, "reminiscent of a Gran Turismo" (and we do see a GT Vision-like silhouette of some sort in there) but quite clearly also a crossover, is oriented towards what Chinese customers want, and what they desire must be technology, including a choice between self-operated or Level 4 autonomous driving. A car you trust with your life is a friend, and the ID. CODE is also a "digital avatar" that can communicate with other road users (and the driver, which we'll get to shortly) through the "Light Cloud," which includes "interactive 3D Eyes" in the form of the headlights. These eyes can follow you as you approach the car, which is not creepy at all. This and an acoustic accompaniment form the welcome sequence. The Light Cloud also refers to the "Light Screen," the area below the light bar, which houses an LED display in a "partially transparent" panel. At the back, the tail light bar is also equipped with 3D Eyes to interact with other road users.

The Avatar Element

So-called Smart Windows with semi-transparent displays are integrated into all of the glasshouse, and as the driver approaches, an AI-assisted avatar greets the driver, providing them with info they might need before embarking, like a forecasted turn in weather and the reminder to bring an umbrella. VW also describes this as "the perfect co-driver," although no more detail was provided. We suspect something like the friendly system in the BMW i Vision Dee concept. Either way, this is a social car with front seats capable of rotating 180 degrees when the car is driving itself. All four seats could also be folded flat for sleeping on longer journeys, or swiveled outward for easier ingress and egress. Additionally, there's a cup holder that turns into a lamp and a fridge in the center console, which moves on a rail.

Ford Will Project Faces On The Inside Of Car Windows To Scare Away Car Thieves

And voice modifiers to help you sound scarier to ward off would-be criminals.

The Smart Windows also acts as a wide theater screen that covers the entire windshield and extends into the doors, while side windows can display widgets like weather, remaining charge, navigation, media, and more, with all of this controlled via either touch, voice, or gesture. And if you're a rideshare operator (or a parent), for example, Hygiene Mode can be activated when the car is empty, cleaning the air with a UV light, antibacterial air filters, and a robot vacuum cleaner called LUPO. I guess that means the adorable sub-compact car that once littered European streets is gone for good.

Is That A Jag F-Pace, Or Are We Just Pleased Not To See A Bigger ID.4?

VW has not indicated that the concept will ever become a production car, but its style and at least some of its technologies could make their way to the road in some form, someday soon. As for the styling, it's sleek and simple. From some angles, there's more than a passing resemblance to the Jaguar E-Pace/F-Type, and Ferrari Purosangue-style doors don't hurt either. There's also a hint of Fisker Ocean at the back. But is it truly a VW? If your VW comes with 3D-milled aluminum 24-inch wheels and Horizon Blue paint, maybe. But we think that the combination of all these ideas is what makes this a VW. VW stands for mobility for the masses, albeit at a higher price point than its days selling the air-cooled Type 1, and these days, the vast majority of people want a vehicle that looks sexy but has space for a full family.

Volkswagen Models You Never Knew Existed

It's almost as if the brand's Brazilian HQ is more active than the German one

They want the latest tech, and for Siri to automate their entire house. They want glass that doubles as a screen, and they want it all with a dose of social media while driving. That is what VW is providing here, and although this concept is specifically a preview of Volkswagen's Chinese future, Europeans and Americans want everything we just mentioned as much as the Chinese do. We suspect this concept will find its way, in some form, the rest of the world. Thank goodness for Andreas Mindt. His predecessor penned crappy concepts, apparently, but Mindt's approach looks like one worth getting excited about.