Important Innovations

  VW Updates & Accelerates Flying Taxi eVTOL Plans                                                  Source:  VW VW's Flying Tiger Volkswagen Group has accelerated its plans for an autonomous, pilotless flying taxi that can carry four passengers for shuttle rides between big cities.  The name of the eVTOL (electric, vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle is the Flying Tiger.  VW just provided an update that it is significantly accelerating R&D and software development for the flying taxi.  At Volkswagen Group China headquarters in Beijing, where the eVTOL is being developed, VW officially unveiled a prototype of the Flying Tiger. Specifics That We Know The Flying Tiger is a totally electric-powered drone with 8 rotors for vertical lift and 2, rear propellers for horizontal flight.  Interestingly, it uses current autonomous driving technologies and battery systems for piloting, power and zero emissions.  It has an unusual X-shaped wing that spans 34.7 feet.  The actual aircraf

  VW Is Very Serious About Urban Air Mobility                                                                                                Source: Volkswagen eVTOL Flight Tests To Start This Year Volkswagen just unveiled a flying taxi prototype that is being developed by the automaker's division in China.  VW calls it a "passenger drone".  It is fully electric, fully autonomous and takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter.  VW plans to start test flights later this year and build an upgraded prototype by the summer of 2023.  For VW, air taxis could be a significant commercial venture. The VW flying taxi prototype is called V.MO. Tech Specs  The eVTOL has ten rotors: eight for vertical lift and two for forward, horizontal flight.  VW hopes to achieve a 124-mile range on a charge.  It will be used to ferry passengers within cities such as from an office park to the airport and also to fly from city to city such as Baltimore to Washington, DC.  VW is working with s

  Italdesign's Parcour                                                       Source:  Italdesign Unique Off-Roading Vehicle For off-roading adventures most drivers use specially outfitted Jeeps, trucks and SUVs.  We can now add a sport car to that list. Renowned automobile designer Italdesign has created a stunning, super sports car with huge wheels for off-roading fun.  It's a supercar called Italdesign Parcour Concept.  The vehicle combines the high performance of a race car with the go-anywhere performance of a 4x4.  In the global automotive market, this is a unique car and likely the world's first off-roading classic sports car.  Italdesign is based in Italy. Aerodynamic Sports Car Italdesign is owned by Lamborghini/Audi/VW.  It has a rich history of designing VWs and Audi, dating back to the 1970's.  The company says the Parcour is a blended combination of an SUV, crossover, grand tourer and mid-engine sports car. The design is a sleek melding of aluminum and carbo

  Italdesign's Parcour                                                       Source:  Italdesign Unique Off-Roading Vehicle For off-roading adventures most drivers use specially outfitted Jeeps, trucks and SUVs.  We can now add a sport car to that list. Renowned automobile designer Italdesign has created a stunning, super sports car with huge wheels for off-roading fun.  It's a supercar called Italdesign Parcour Concept.  The vehicle combines the high performance of a race car with the go-anywhere performance of a 4x4.  In the global automotive market, this is a unique car and likely the world's first off-roading classic sports car.  Italdesign is based in Italy. Aerodynamic Sports Car Italdesign is owned by Lamborghini/Audi/VW.  It has a rich history of designing VWs and Audi, dating back to the 1970's.  The company says the Parcour is a blended combination of an SUV, crossover, grand tourer and mid-engine sports car. The design is a sleek melding of aluminum and carbo

  Cupra's Gaming Motif - Gamification of the Car                                        Source:  Cupra Car Designed as a Lifestyle Interest Volkwagen-owned, sports, race car and EV maker Cupra has created a concept car that is a brilliant idea.  The car is designed to appeal to young,14-year-old gamers and bring them back to buy when they legally can in the future.  The vehicle, called Urban Rebel, has a controller-styled steering wheel and a big digital dashboard, all fashioned-on gaming electronics.  Some automotive experts are calling the Urban Rebel the gamification of cars. The company calls it a look at the future through the eyes and interest of future buyers. Cupra says that 80% of 14 year olds are gamers. The EV is a marketing strategy that plays right into the megatrend of vehicles reflecting the owner's lifestyle.  Today's teen gamers should feel very comfortable with the key driving apparatus in the small, all-electric EV.  Urban Rebel will be on the market and

  Cupra's Gaming Motif - Gamification of the Car                                        Source:  Cupra Car Designed as a Lifestyle Interest Volkwagen-owned, sports, race car and EV maker Cupra has created a concept car that is a brilliant idea.  The car is designed to appeal to young,14-year-old gamers and bring them back to buy when they legally can in the future.  The vehicle, called Urban Rebel, has a controller-styled steering wheel and a big digital dashboard, all fashioned-on gaming electronics.  Some automotive experts are calling the Urban Rebel the gamification of cars. The company calls it a look at the future through the eyes and interest of future buyers. Cupra says that 80% of 14 year olds are gamers. The EV is a marketing strategy that plays right into the megatrend of vehicles reflecting the owner's lifestyle.  Today's teen gamers should feel very comfortable with the key driving apparatus in the small, all-electric EV.  Urban Rebel will be on the market and

  Concept Car with Leading Edge Automotive Technologies                                        Source:  Lamborghini Look at the Future of Driving Lamborghini and MIT's concept car Terzo Millennio showcases the future of cutting edge, automotive technologies.  Lamborghini's first electric concept car was created in partnership with top engineering experts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  It is their visionary design for the all-electric sports car of the future with a unique powertrain, no lithium-ion batteries and sleek, futuristic great looks.  They are in the process of developing the breakthrough technologies in the concept to bring them into the real world of driving. Unique Technologies One of the most remarkable aspects of the Terzo Millennio is that the electric motors are embedded in the wheels, which create a powerful form of 4-wheel drive.  It also opens up much more interior and exterior space.  Because of the electric motor placement, the designers o

  Concept Car with Leading Edge Automotive Technologies                                        Source:  Lamborghini Look at the Future of Driving Lamborghini and MIT's concept car Terzo Millennio showcases the future of cutting edge, automotive technologies.  Lamborghini's first electric concept car was created in partnership with top engineering experts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  It is their visionary design for the all-electric sports car of the future with a unique powertrain, no lithium-ion batteries and sleek, futuristic great looks.  They are in the process of developing the breakthrough technologies in the concept to bring them into the real world of driving. Unique Technologies One of the most remarkable aspects of the Terzo Millennio is that the electric motors are embedded in the wheels, which create a powerful form of 4-wheel drive.  It also opens up much more interior and exterior space.  Because of the electric motor placement, the designers o

  The I.D. Vizzion                                                                                     Source:  VW  VW's Vision of the Future of Mobility Volkswagen is developing a new concept car that is fully autonomous and is directed by voice commands and gestures. Called the I.D. Vizzion, the electric vehicle is VW's take on the future of mobility.  A "digital chauffeur" is in "the driver's seat" and in control of the car.  There appears to be no steering wheel or any type of standard driving essentials like brakes.  It's a brand-new type of driving adventure in which you are literally along for the ride. Very Advanced Autonomous Technology The intelligent centerpiece of the autonomous technology is a virtual host.  Passengers communicate with it through voice and gestures to provide information on their driving preferences like speed, the destination and routes.  The virtual host stores the individual's personal preferences and distributes

  The I.D. Vizzion                                                                                     Source:  VW  VW's Vision of the Future of Mobility Volkswagen is developing a new concept car that is fully autonomous and is directed by voice commands and gestures. Called the I.D. Vizzion, the electric vehicle is VW's take on the future of mobility.  A "digital chauffeur" is in "the driver's seat" and in control of the car.  There appears to be no steering wheel or any type of standard driving essentials like brakes.  It's a brand-new type of driving adventure in which you are literally along for the ride. Very Advanced Autonomous Technology The intelligent centerpiece of the autonomous technology is a virtual host.  Passengers communicate with it through voice and gestures to provide information on their driving preferences like speed, the destination and routes.  The virtual host stores the individual's personal preferences and distributes

  VW's ID Buzz                                                  Source:  VW ID Buzz All-Electric VW Family MicroBus VW's ID Buzz is an all-new, all-electric minivan or microbus reminiscent of the popular VW Bus of the 1960's and 1970's.  The Buzz sports distinctive styling, an all-electric powertrain and a range on a single charge of 275 miles.  It is scheduled to come to market in Europe in the second half of 2022 and in North America in 2024 at a price estimated at $45,000. In the global automotive world, it is making a lot of exciting buzz. Buzzing With the Environment The microbus can carry 7 people and it is expected to have a great deal of appeal as a family vehicle.  It is environmentally correct.  It's made of sustainable and recyclable materials.  Even the batteries are recyclable and do not contain cobalt which poses mining extraction issues of great concern to environmentalists and health experts.  The EV is built on the same platform as the VW ID.4 and t

  VW's ID Buzz                                                  Source:  VW ID Buzz All-Electric VW Family MicroBus VW's ID Buzz is an all-new, all-electric minivan or microbus reminiscent of the popular VW Bus of the 1960's and 1970's.  The Buzz sports distinctive styling, an all-electric powertrain and a range on a single charge of 275 miles.  It is scheduled to come to market in Europe in the second half of 2022 and in North America in 2024 at a price estimated at $45,000. In the global automotive world, it is making a lot of exciting buzz. Buzzing With the Environment The microbus can carry 7 people and it is expected to have a great deal of appeal as a family vehicle.  It is environmentally correct.  It's made of sustainable and recyclable materials.  Even the batteries are recyclable and do not contain cobalt which poses mining extraction issues of great concern to environmentalists and health experts.  The EV is built on the same platform as the VW ID.4 and t

  VW ID. Buzz Recaptures Essence of Original VW Bus                                        Source:  VW ID.Buzz Lots of Buzz About This Concept Volkswagen is ready to unveil its much-anticipated electric, microbus vehicle.  It's called the VW ID. Buzz.  The official unveiling of the electric production version of the concept, that was first shown five years ago, will happen in about two weeks for the European version of the Buzz.  Production starts this coming summer, and it launches for sale in Europe in the fall.  It will be offered in Europe as both passenger and cargo models on what Volkswagen calls a short-wheelbase chassis of 2988 mm (9.8 feet).  In 2023, a longer model with three rows of seats will be sold in the US. Tech Specs An electric motor in the rear of the microbus cranks a peak output of 201 hp. (150 kilowatts).  A lithium-ion battery of 77 kWh stores the electric energy. There are indications that VW may add a more powerful dual motor version. Buzz is built on the M