The Volkswagen Ego is part of a trio of concept vehicles designed to offer a glimpse into the future for Volkswagen vehicles.
Designed for the year 2028 the VW Ego is a two seat sports car with an attractive and simple bodyshape. Volkswagen envisage an all-electric power source for the Ego concept, using high-performance batteries charged by a fuel cell in which hydrogen and oxygen react to generate electricity. The only emissions from the Volkswagen Ego concept will be water.
Inside the Volkswagen Ego highly sophisticated and intelligent driver aids include an environment recognition system which can detect and warn of upcoming hazards, and a cruise control so advanced the driver can actually turn control over to the car in certain circumstances. The windscreen of the VW Ego features a driving display onto which relevant data is displayed. This gives the driver intuitive access to all critical information at any one time.
Volkswagen T6 concept
The main design elements are two cylinders connected with a transformable section in the form of a hinge.
The wheels are moved to the periphery of the car body and revolve around the two cylinders.
The car was conceived as a component integrated with the metropolitan transportation system, like a subway or a taxi.
The interior offers a multifunctional luxury space which can be used for standalone work or to organize meetings.
Volkswagen Kai-Nalu concept
The Volkswagen Kai-Nalu is a concept vehicle which was created by Josep Ferriol, a Spanish designer and graduate of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. The Kai-Nalu was created as part of his final year thesis.
The Volkswagen Kai-Nalu is a futuristic sports car concept that features a unique design which is composed of two distinctly different elements. Inspired by the waves of the Mediterranean sea as they smash into the shoreline and rocks near where Ferriol lives, the Kai-Nalu features a flowing glass upper section - which is designed to mimic the sea, and angular, jagged bodywork underneath - which represents the rocks of the coastline.
The mixture of the two differing shapes and textures is designed to present a dynamic and forceful appearance - much like the waves themselves. The Kai-Nalu's styling is quite controversial, and it isn't going to be to everyone's taste. However in a world where many sportscar and supercar concepts follow the same predictable formula, the Volkswagen Kai-Nalu is refreshingly bold and different.
Other highlights of the concept include highly stylized wheels which were inspired by the appearance of bicycle wheels. The VW logo in the center is balanced and mounted on a bearing so it always remains upright. The clear roof, windows, and upper bodywork also provides a glimpse of the vehicle's electric drivetrain, which features two seperate motors, one is mounted up front and the other at the rear to help balance out weight distribution.
Volkswagen Viseo concept
The Volkswagen Viseo concept from 2007 was a project by transport design student Marc Kirsch.
The Volkswagen Viseo is a three seater vehicle. The layout, with two seats up front and one at the rear means that the a narrow, tapering rear section is possible. Making the rear slim has allowed room for the tinted shield to flow over the bodywork and rear wheels without making the overall width of the Viseo greater than a standard car.
This glass shield is covered in an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) film which brings a new form of interactivity between the occupants and their surroundings.
Another unique design feature of the Volkswagen Viseo concept was the removable rear luggage compartment. This could be detached and wheeled away just like a suitcase.
The striking styling of the Volkswagen Viseo concept was influenced by the work of renowned architect Santiago Calatrava who is famous for his use of "dynamic balance" in creating futuristic, highly technical buildings.
Volkswagen Up! Lite concept
The Volkswagen Up! Lite which was revealed at the 2009 LA Auto Show is the latest in the up! line of fuel efficient concept cars from VW - a family which began with the Volkswagen up! concept from 2007.
The Up! Lite comes hot on the heels of the Volkswagen 1L concept which debuted only a few months before. Both cars strive to be as fuel efficient as possible. But whereas the L1, with its tandem seating layout and limited cargo storage was a relatively impractical vehicle, the Up! Lite is just like any other compact four-seater as far interior space and day-to-day usage is concerned. Even the styling of the Up! Lite looks production feasible.
The hybrid drivetrain of the Up! Lite consists of a newly designed 0.8 litre two-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which produces 51 horsepower, and a 14 horsepower electric motor. The electric motor works as a pulse start module (starter, alternator and E-drive), it also reduces the load of the TDI, provides added power during acceleration and works to recover kinetic energy (regenerative braking).
In two of its operating phases, the hybrid drive of the Up! Lite was designed to operate without any TDI propulsion at all. First phase: In so-called coast-down, activated by the driver taking his or her foot off the gas pedal (car coasts, TDI engine is shut off). Second phase: Over shorter distances, e.g. in residential areas, the E-motor can power the Up! Lite all by itself. In this case, a lithium-ion battery supplies the energy. Since it is capable of pure electric driving, the configuration is classified as a full hybrid. Shifting work is handled by a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) like the one used in the new Polo. Moreover, the Volkswagen is equipped with a Stop-Start system.
All in, this frugal drive system offers 70mpg/highway (2.44 litres per 100km). Top speed is 100mph (160km/h), and the 0-60mph run is completed in 12 seconds.
Innovative technology is not just confined to the drivetrain however. The radiator grille closes and opens automatically depending on the cooling needs of the engine ("active thermal management"); and instead of a classic rearview mirror, three cameras perform this job better and more aerodynamically; when the car is parked outside in the summer, hot air is vented to outside the vehicle ("passive park ventilation"); an "optimized Easy-Entry feature" enables extremely comfortable entry and exit from the rear seating area; longitudinal adjustments to the driver and front passenger seats automatically adjusts seat height as well; when folding the rear bench seat, the seatback is easily unlatched by folding the rear head restraints forward ("Easy Switch"); many vehicle features (including ventilation, Internet, telephone, MP3, video, telephone, trip computer, radio) are controlled centrally via an intuitive touchscreen with hand movement sensors.
Volkswagen up concept
The Volkswagen up! is a series of city car concepts that are anticipated to be the basis for the Volkswagen Group New Small Family (NSF) series of models, which is expected to include a new Volkswagen Lupo. Current plans for the NSF range include saloon / sedan, cabriolet, two-seater, and mini MPV variants of the vehicle. It will be manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The series debuted in the 2007 motor show calendar year, starting with the Volkswagen up! at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). All up! concepts are designed by Volkswagen Group Chief Designer Walter de Silva and Head Designer of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars marque Klaus Bischoff.
Volkswagen Microbus Concept
If the Volkswagen Microbus concept wore no identification badges it would still be quite straight forward to identify its origin.
Introduced in 2001 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Microbus was the spiritual successor to the iconic VW microbus of the 1960s. But with a few added features.
Designed in California for the US market, the Microbus has 3 rows of seats within its 15.5 foot long body. The middle row can swivel to face backwards, and the rear row has been been designed as a bench seat.
Access to the Microbus concept is via conventional front doors, and dual electronic sliding doors for the rear passengers. Once inside a 7" video screen built into the dash and 4 more displays built into the front and middle seat headrests provide cinematic entertainment for all passengers. The driver is offered another screen at the front of the roof providing an unimpeded view out the back.
Power for the Volkswagen Microbus concept came from a front mounted 3.2 litre V6 engine turning the 20" front wheels.
Although Volkswagen confirmed in 2003 the Microbus would go into production they later retracted that statement in 2005 and put the Microbus back on the shelf. However because of the massive amount of positive feedback on the concept it's still possible that someday the Microbus will live again.
Design Proposal for Next Generation VW Beetle
Independent designer David Cordoso sent us these designs proposals for a successor to the second generation VW Beetle that will soon cease production.David says he envisions the New/New Bug as an emissions-free, fully-electric vehicle, and judging by the latest developments at the Volkswagen Group, a gasoline-electric hybrid or even an all-electric version of the next Beetle, could very well be on the table.And while there's room for some fine tuning in the design details (e.g. head- / tail-light styling), overall, we like David's more masculine and sportier styling approach on the Beetle's replacement.
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