This is the VW ID. LIFE, the latest all-electric concept from Volkswagen, that is jam-packed with features not previously seen in other ID products and a unique retro-inspired design. It previews a forthcoming ID. model that will launch in the small car segment in 2025, priced at around € 20,000 (US$ 32,000). Presented as the German automaker’s vision of future mobility for the younger generation, the ID. LIFE is based on a smaller variant of VW’s MEB architecture and, for the first time for an MEB-based model, it is front-wheel drive. Power is provided by a 230 hp electric motor, allowing the car to hit 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. It also features a 57 kWh battery pack offering up a range of 400 km.
The exterior design of the ID.LIFE is also a highlight and while the likes of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.BUZZ all share very similar design elements, the ID.LIFE makes the most of the car industry’s current fascination with boxy, retro-looking hatchbacks. With that in mind, it has an upright and sleek shape incorporating an intriguing front end where the LED headlights, VW logo, and a light bar have been seamlessly installed within the bodywork.
The ID.LIFE concept shown at the Munich Motor Show has also been adorned with a two-tone black and white paint scheme. Interestingly, the clear coat features wood chips that are used as a natural coloring agent along with a bio-based hardener. The concept also features a removable textile roof made from 100 per cent recycled PET bottles. Found at the rear are LED taillights and a light bar that mirror the headlights. An angular rear window and roof spoiler may also remind you of the electric Renault R5 Concept.
A number of intriguing features are also found in the cabin. For example, the ID.LIFE has been equipped with a projection screen that extends from the dashboard, covering the inside of the windshield. A projector is then used to display multimedia on this expansive, 34-inch screen. You can use it to watch a movie, if you so wish, while the concept even features its own video game console that makes the most of the screen.
In addition, VW has equipped the ID.LIFE with a flexible seating layout offering a number of different configurations. For example, the front bench seat can be folded flat, allowing rear-seat passengers to use the front seats as footrests while reclining their seats and enjoying a film in what VW calls ‘cinema mode’. The rear seats can also be folded completely flat to create a 2-meter long bed. You may also notice that the concept lacks a traditional infotainment screen. That’s because it relies on a driver’s smartphone or tablet that sticks to the dashboard with a magnet. A smartphone can be integrated into the operating system and used to control most key vehicle features. The interior is also fitted with various different sustainable materials, including bio-oil, natural rubber, and rice husks.
