Volkswagen ID. CODE: New GT SUV with a hint of Scirocco

Volkswagen has revealed the stunning new ID. CODE – a sleek SUV concept car that previews not only a new model, but a whole new design language for SUVs. The concept is being unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show to show VW’s commitment to the Chinese market, and sadly any production models that follow are unlikely to be sold elsewhere in the world.

The sleek, five-metre-long ID.CODE looks more like a GT than an outright SUV, with hints of Volkswagen’s legendary Scirocco coupé at the front and the back.

The clean surfacing and athletic stance of the car is true to Volkswagen’s new design strategy under design boss Andreas Mindt of stability, likeability and secret sauce. The latter refers to surprise and delight features around the car, such as the 3D twinkling eye headlights, part of the VW smile that Mindt exclusively revealed to Electrifying would feature across all new models.

The five-metre-long SUV has hints of Volkswagen’s legendary Scirocco coupé

Being part of the ID family, the ID. CODE is, of course, electric although there’s no news on what the powertrain might be. We’d expect a production version could make use of the VW Group’s new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture.

Instead the ID. CODE is more about design, wellbeing and technology, focusing on the specific needs of the Chinese market. The car is ready for Level Four fully-automated autonomous driving with the most advanced sensors yet seen in a Volkswagen, allowing the driver to ‘become a passenger reading, chatting, going online or watching movies’.

The fluid design of the concept is referred to as ‘SUV Jet’ with its heavily-scuplted bonnet, stretched window line, big wheels and single character line along the side. The elongated roof, thick rear D-pillar and prominent roof spoiler give it that Scirocco coupé style.

The interior features a full-width screen stretching into the doors

Light technology is to the fore with a Light Cloud featuring the narrow horizontal LED strip either side of an illuminated VW badge, with U-shaped 3D ‘eyes’ on either side. During autonomous driving, these ‘eyes’ can signal the car’s direction to pedestrians. 

Hidden in the bumper is a further light screen that can act as a weather welcome, indicating what the day’s forecast is to the owner as they approach the car. Matrix beam headlights are also in the bumper. 

Electrically opening doors feature Smart Windows with a further display in them to show avatars or to send reminders and other messages to the driver and passengers from the outside. 3D eyes also feature in the rear lights with further cameras and sensors under the rear spoiler – which allows air through as well as over it – and in the bumper.

The interior is referred to as a living space using sustainable, animal-free materials and featuring a full-width screen across the dashboard that extends into the doors, plus window surfaces that also show avatars and messages inside the car for a full wraparound display.

The ID.CODE is the same length as a Range Rover

The steering wheel will retract when in fully autonomous mode, while the seats can also swivel for a lounge feeling inside, too. The centre console features a fridge and drinks holders and can move back and forwards on an integrated rail. 

Finally, the ID. CODE also has a hygiene mode where, if there’s nobody on board, the car is cleaned by a robot vacuum cleaner, UV lights and anti-bacterial air filters. 

Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer, said, “The ID. CODE provides an initial glimpse of the future of Volkswagen in China with a new design language, a new technology standard and a holistic brand experience – specifically geared towards the needs and wishes of our Chinese customers. In this way, we are initiating a new era of mobility in China together with our Chinese partners.” 

Meanwhile, Andreas Mindt commented, “With the ID. CODE, we are completely reinterpreting the SUV body. The design demonstrates the elegant and powerful dynamism of a Gran Turismo and is at the same time extremely likeable. The interactive lighting and display systems that this Volkswagen uses to interact with people will also generate excitement.”

During autonomous driving, the lights can signal the car’s direction to pedestrians