2021 Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion estate concept launched

Volkswagen has revealed the Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion concept, the latest model in VW’s electric ID. family. It’s an estate version of the Volkswagen ID. Vizzion saloon and is roughly the size of the Passat estate. The car was unveiled at the LA Motor Show but a production version won’t arrive until 2021.

We expect the styling to be slightly toned down when it hits showrooms, but for now the concept features aerodynamic 22-inch alloy wheels, an illuminated Volkswagen badge on the long bonnet, a rear diffuser and a tailgate spoiler. The diffuser and spoiler aren’t just there for show; they improve aerodynamics, making the car faster and more efficient. The concept also gets digital door handles, which are opened using a compatible smartphone, for further efficiency gains.

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The ID. Space Vizzion is slightly bigger than the current Volkswagen Passat Estate. The front bumper has been made as aerodynamic as possible and, overall, the car is sleeker (in terms of drag) than the Porsche Taycan.

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The car’s aerodynamic efficiency helps to achieve an impressive claimed range of 367 miles. Just like all of Volkswagen’s ID. line-up, it sits on the ‘MEB’ platform specifically designed for electric cars. Power comes from an 82kWh battery, which feeds two electric motors. The ID. Space Vizzion is said to offer 335bhp and an active four-wheel-drive system, and we expect torque vectoring software that can split power between each wheel.

With instant torque from the electric motors, the estate is certainly quick. Zero-to-62mph acceleration takes just 5.4 seconds - faster than a SEAT Leon ST Cupra - although the top speed is electronically limited to 109mph. Once you’ve used up the battery capacity, plugging in to a 100kW fast-charger replenishes the battery to 80% in half an hour.

Inside, all the surfaces are designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. The seats are trimmed in a leather-effect ‘AppleSkin’ material that comes from the leftovers when apple juice is produced, while man-made Alcantara is used instead of suede, and chrome paint is preferred to metal trim pieces.

Taking pride of place inside the ID. Space Vizzion is a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, designed to look like it’s floating. In front of the driver there’s an augmented reality head-up display and a minimalist digital instrument cluster, showing just a couple of important pieces of information. The concept gets a column gear shifter like the ones found in old American muscle cars, but we suspect the European model will get a rotary dial mounted on the lower centre console.

As it’s been designed from the start as an electric car, it still has a big boot. With all seats in place there’s 586 litres to fill, which is only marginally smaller than the boot in the Volkswagen Tiguan. It’s a little less than the Passat Estate’s boot, too, but there’s a dedicated space for the charging cable and even two electric longboards. These are for ‘last-mile’ urban transport, to save driving into busy cities.

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The Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion will be sold in North America, Europe and China, whereas the recently revealed Volkswagen ID. Roomzz SUV concept won’t be sold in Europe.

Read the latest on the Golf-sized Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback here, or check out our guide to the best estate cars currently available.