Volkswagen’s 355-hp ID. Space Vizzion Concept is the longroof EV America needs

The ID. Space Vizzion is the seventh concept VW built on its ID. modular electric MEB platform, and while the production ID.3 hatchback won’t come to America, something like this longroof may make the cut further down the line. Volkswagen says it “previews a potential production car for Europe and North America.”

Powered by an 82-kWh battery pack for a range of up to 300 miles, VW’s future wagon is not only more powerful than the range-topping 77-kWh ID.3, but also sufficiently aerodynamic, having a drag coefficient of just 0.24. This sleek body allows for a 590-km range on the more optimistic WLTP cycle, with the expected EPA estimate at roughly 300 miles.

The ID. Space Vizzion is 195.2 inches long, 60.2 inches high, and 74.7 inches wide. With a floor-mounted battery pack, it features a rear-mounted, 275-horsepower motor, but a second motor could also be fitted to the platform, resulting in all-wheel-drive and a total output of 355 horsepower.

Not unlike the new Ford Mustang Mach-E, VW’s wagon does not use conventional door handles, using illuminated touch surfaces that light up as soon as the car detects your digital key. The Space Vizzion also rolls on turbine-style 22-inch wheels, which are flush with the wheel arches for a clean airflow. Other exterior features include a glass roof tinted high-gloss black, a rear spoiler, and a discreet diffuser.

This being a concept, VW went wild with its light show as well, starting with a transparent red LED light strip that runs around the entire rear section, and through the taillight clusters. These also double as X-shaped turn signals, and as you’d expect, the white VW logo in the middle of the tailgate is also illuminated.

Inside, it’s all about maximizing space, and eliminating plastic waste. While the concept is a four-seater, the Space Vizzion can easily be upgraded to a five-seater for production. It also comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect, including a 15.6-inch touchscreen, head-up display and a large fold-out center console with storage areas, drink holders and USB-C ports. Perhaps more important than the 30 shades of interior lighting, there’s 20.7 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, with a fold-up load bed behind a power tailgate.

In the name of sustainability, this latest ID. proposal uses chrome-like paint instead of chrome, while its seats and the rest of the interior is wrapped in “AppleSkin.” This leather-like material consists of a proportion of residual matter from apple juice production, which can replace 20 percent of polyurethane using a process developed in-house.

And with no plastic trim pieces in sight, the only thing VW needs to do now is put this electric wagon into production, as a 355-horsepower five-seater family car destined for America.