Beijing Motor Show, Volkswagen with concept car ID. Code raises the electric car challenge in the Chinese market

In a world premiere at Auto China 2024 in Beijing, ID. Code offers a glimpse into the future of electric SUVs for the Chinese market.
Designed jointly by teams in China and Europe, the ID. Code is a tribute to Chinese Volkswagen customers. The concept interprets suv design in a completely new way and enriches the era of electric mobility with captivating next-level dynamics, thanks to both the extensive use of artificial intelligence and Level 4 autonomous driving technologies (Sae scale).

The body design of the ID. Code, extraordinarily defined and streamlined for an SUV, follows Volkswagen's new design strategy defined by Andreas Mindt, which is based on three pillars: stability, sympathy and the secret ingredient of features and shapes that surprise and excite. In the future, these three pillars will determine Volkswagen's design worldwide. At first glance, the lines are very reminiscent of those of the third series of the Volkswagen Scirocco, a model from the year 2000 that already had very futuristic shapes that are emphasised even more here. ID. Code it is the combination of the unusually slim and therefore sporty body for an SUV and the very vigorous wheel arches that give the ID. Code an astonishing stability on the road, thanks also to the 24-inch wheels. Added to this is the sympathetic high-tech features and a distinctive character. The designers bring this charisma to life through the perfectly designed golden section of the bodywork with its well-defined shapes and graphic elements such as the friendly front-end configuration. Finally, new interactive lighting systems that mimic the winks of the human eye are the secret ingredient that virtually brings the concept car to life. Furthermore, the AI-based interaction allows a new level of communication between man and machine.

The ID. Code is designed for fully automated level 4 driving. If the driver activates this mode, he becomes a passenger: he can read, converse, surf online, watch a movie or do anything else. In order to realise this autopilot function, Volkswagen has integrated state-of-the-art sensor, light, camera and visualisation systems, which enable all-round communication with the surroundings. The systems and drive are powered not only by a lithium-ion battery, but also by a photovoltaic system integrated in the transparent Energy Roof.

Communication lights to interact with other cars and road users have been discussed before, both with Marelli and Audi. Now, ID. Code proposes an intelligent lighting system at the front: the so-called Light Cloud with interactive 3D-Eyes (a transverse light bar under the front bonnet) combined with an LED display integrated in the partially transparent front end. While in level 4 autonomous driving mode, the lighting systems in the front and the transverse bar of the rear light clusters, also equipped with 3D-Eyes, interact with other road users, thus ensuring greater safety.The driver can also rely on the Smart Window, the intelligent windows that through an avatar on the AI provides certain indications. Finally, integrated into the front surface of the bumper is the interactive Light Screen that shows visual information, such as the weather forecast, as soon as the driver approaches the car.

The cockpit of ID. Code seems to be the living room, a clean and essential environment where connectivity is ensured. The materials, in support of sustainability, are of high quality and do not come from animal sources. Even the design of the environment changes according to the driving mode selected: when level 4 is selected, the steering wheel retracts into the cockpit, creating additional space that allows the driver's seat to rotate 180 degrees. Finally, the high-end audio system, ambient lighting and air conditioning provide the travel comfort of a private jet.