Rumours suggest that Volkswagen will preview its first pure-electric production vehicle at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
One of the consequences of the dramatic Diesel Gate scandal that broke in 2015, is Volkswagen accelerating its plans to become a player in the pure electric car market – a clear shift away from its historic focus on diesel power, and an addition to a strategy of adding plug-in hybrid derivatives to most of its model ranges in the coming years.
The company previously displayed the BUDD-e minibus concept eaerlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), but the vehicle it is rumoured to be taking to Paris is apparently a lot closer to production. It is claimed to be of similar exterior dimensions as a Golf, yet offers the interior space of a Passat, courtesy of its ground-up electric design – as opposed to it being an EV version of a regular internal-combustion vehicle. It is also said that Volkswagen wants to market a vehicle with a 500 km range and recharging (at least to 80%) in around 15 minutes.
Expect the new VW EV to have a very dramatic, futuristic interior.
The concept will then be further refined for market introduction in late 2018 or early 2019, according to reports. Interestingly, Volkswagen's new bosses also want the vehicle to make a very bold statement about the greater technological capability of the Volkswagen Group. As a consequence, the new EV is expected to offer not only cutting-edge drivetrain features, but also offer several firsts inside, as Volkswagen aims to reposition itself for a new era.
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