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In Los Angeles, Volkswagen just unveiled its latest all-electric concept built on its MEB platform, the “I.D. Space Vizzion.” Volkswagen says the vehicle “combines the aerodynamic design of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness and versatility of an SUV.” That’s an evasive and long-winded way of telling us it’s a wagon.
A Volkswagen wagon on U.S. soil is an encouraging sight. VW wagons have been great all-around and affordable vehicles, but the brand also just axed them from the American lineup due to poor sales. 2020 will be the American market’s first year without a Volkswagen long roof since the 1960s.
The Space Vizzion concept is not a rebranded electric Golf Sportwagen. The electric powertrain is much more potent with a base engine putting out 275 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It’s also rear-wheel-drive instead of front-wheel-drive. An optional dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup could bring the Space Vizzion to 335 hp. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in about five seconds and has an estimated EPA range around 300 miles.
The electric Gran Turismo/SUV hybrid is also a much bigger car than the Golf Sportwagen. It’s more than a foot (15.2 inches) longer than the departing gas wagon, 3.2 inches taller and 3.7 inches wider.
Volkswagen has not mentioned whether or when the Space Vizzion concept, hopefully with a soberer name, would enter production or whether it would sell in the U.S. Recently, the German brand decided not to bring its revolutionary ID.3 hatchback to the American market after the Golf hatchback’s poor sales. But, VW choosing a U.S. launch site for this one should be an encouraging sign.
