With its ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen is making the sustainable mobility of tomorrow available to even more people. By 2025, a whole two years earlier than originally planned, Volkswagen is launching a model of the ID. Family for the small car segment. It will cost between 20,000 and 25,000 euros. The ID. LIFE, which is being presented at the International Motor Show IAA MOBILITY 2021 in Munich from 7 to 12 September 2021, gives an impression of how a vehicle of this type would look. The concept car of a compact, all-electric crossover model embodies sustainability, digital technology, timeless design and an innovative interior design. With its powerful proportions and pared-down style, the ID. LIFE is immediately recognisable as a futuristic concept for urban mobility.
People-focussed. The ID. LIFE was designed from scratch for sustainable mobility, an emotive driving experience and a versatile user orientation. Its puristic and timeless appearance is broadly appealing, its interior has a human touch focused on shared experiences, and its digital technology speaks directly to the needs of young target groups. Access to the vehicle is granted by means of a camera combined with facial recognition software. The interior can be transformed into a cinema or gaming lounge, thanks to a flexible seating landscape. Inductive charging trays for smartphones are integrated into the door pockets.
Simple design. The design of the ID. LIFE is strikingly clear, reduced and high-quality. Decorative elements and add-on parts are dispensed with, as is any complex mix of materials. The horizontal division between the body, glass surfaces and roof also contributes to the car’s purist appearance. An individualised and removable roof made of air chamber textile lends an open-air feeling in the ID. LIFE, while also reducing the vehicle weight.
Natural and recycled materials. The sustainable character of the ID. LIFE is reflected particularly intensively in the choice of materials and paint finishes. In the clear coat for the bodywork, wood chips are used as a natural colouring agent along with a bio-based hardener. This reflects the vision of using a recyclate for car body construction that possesses the potential to completely eliminate the need for an additional paint finish in future vehicles. The air chamber textile for the roof and front cover is made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Bio-oil, natural rubber and rice husks – among other substances – serve as the base materials for the tyres of the ID. LIFE. The interior combines FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood for the dash panel and rear seat surrounds with ArtVelours Eco for the seat surfaces and door trims, and textile for the head restraints and door mirror pads. Used, shredded tyres give the rubber paint finish in the entrance area a particularly striking surface structure.
Innovative digital operating concept. Cameras and a display replace both the exterior and interior mirrors. The gear selection, turn signal, horn and windscreen wipers are all controlled via a touch panel on the hexagonal, open-topped steering wheel. The integration of a smartphone into the control system gives the driver convenient control of navigation, communication and infotainment functions, as well as providing access to all vehicle data online.
City car with crossover character. The expressive design, comfortable access, elevated seating position and exceptionally variable interior make the ID. LIFE the ideal vehicle for the urban mobility of the future. With its compact dimensions, excellent all-round visibility, a ground clearance of 190 millimetres and slope angles of 26° at the front and 37° at the rear, it is also well-equipped for off-road driving pleasure.
Seating can be used as a gaming lounge. At the same time, the ID. LIFE is a reliable companion for digital experiences of various kinds. In no time at all, its interior can be converted into a cinema or gaming lounge, for instance. A game console and projector are on board, too, while a projection screen that extends from the dash panel as required serves as the screen. Other devices can be connected as required to the 230-volt / 16-amp power supply in the interior. For this purpose, the front seat backrests are folded forward to serve as leg rests for the occupants, who can make themselves comfortable on the rear seat, which is moved into a reclining position. A comfortable surface to lie down on can also be created by folding down the front and rear seat backrests completely.
Up to 1,285 litres of storage space. A variable folding mechanism for the front and rear seat backrests enables versatile use of the interior. Storage space can be expanded or occupant comfort enhanced, according to requirements. The luggage compartment in the rear of the ID. LIFE has a volume of 225 litres, plus another 108 litres under the load compartment floor. When the rear seat backrest and front passenger seat backrest are folded down, the luggage compartment volume can be expanded to as much as 1,285 litres. An additional 68-litre storage space can be used under the air-chamber textile cover in the front area. Another space with a volume of around 8 litres is also available under a separate front panel for accommodating a charging cable. In addition to the charging connection for the high-voltage battery, there is also a power connection with 230 volts (16 A), which can be used to supply external electric devices.
Electric motor drives the front wheels. The ID. LIFE is based on a smaller variant of Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) that has been developed specifically for the small car segment. The power is provided by a 172 kW (234 PS) electric motor, which transmits its power to the road via the front wheels. This is the first time a vehicle based on the MEB has front-wheel drive. This principle underscores the flexibility of the MEB and enables particularly efficient use of the interior, with ample space for passengers and luggage in a compact surface area. The ID. LIFE accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Its high-voltage battery with an energy content of 57 kWh enables a range of some 400 kilometres according to the WLTP.
Way to Zero. Volkswagen is consistently pursuing its path towards fully electrified mobility. The ID. LIFE is now the eighth concept car based on Volkswagen’s MEB. By 2030, the company aims to increase the share of all-electric models in total vehicle sales in Europe to at least 70 per cent and in North America and China to at least 50 per cent. The ACCELERATE strategy will further advance this transformation. The ID. LIFE underscores Volkswagen’s intention to offer electric mobility in the high-volume small car segment as well, thereby winning over additional target groups worldwide. Volkswagen combines affordable electric mobility with advanced digitalisation, sustainable production and high quality standards.