Skip advert
Advertisement

VW I.D. Vizzion to inspire new electric Phaeton replacement

Volkswagen is planning a new Mercedes S-Class rival and it will be based to the brand’s I.D. Vizzion concept

Volkswagen will return to the luxury class at the turn of the next decade with an all-electric Mercedes S-Class rival based on the I.D. Vizzion concept.

Bosses have tasked the unnamed model with helping to instill the brand with a sense of luxury that failed to stick with the Phaeton back in 2002. VW has been without a flagship saloon since that model was axed in 2015.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best luxury cars available

“Phaeton is a symbol of what VW needed at the time. It was the positing of VW into the upper market and showed the capability of the brand, in terms of quality and tech,” sales and marketing boss Jürgen Stackmann told Auto Express. “I.D. Vizzion takes the same position; it shows our leadership ambition for EVs and, in the more distant future, for autonomous driving.”

The new electric saloon, previewed by our exclusive main image, will lean heavily on the I.D. Vizzion concept seen at March’s Geneva Motor Show. It will also rival the Tesla Model S, and will retain the concept’s long body and wheelbase, made possible by the flexibility of the VW Group’s new MEB platform.

Stackmann added: “We want to put I.D. Vizzion into a reality, but not with Level 5 [autonomous driving], and the timing is planned for around 2022. We did not even think for a second about what [powertrain] system we should put into the flagship model; it’s a flagship for the next generation.”

Best electric cars on sale

The flexibility of the MEB platform will allow VW to offer a range of battery sizes and drivetrain configurations. Having one electric motor on the front axle and one on the rear can create the possibility of four-wheel drive.

Bosses have previously confirmed VW’s upcoming electric vehicles will be capable of at least 400km (248 miles) on a single charge, with 600km (327 miles) set as the target for larger vehicles such as the Vizzion.

Stackmann told us: “Luxury will get a new definition in the EV space. I think EVs provide a lot of opportunities to position luxury in a new field because the platform provides a new dimension of space in the interior, and space is perceived as a luxury by many people.”

When the Vizzion lands in 2022 it will join an existing fleet of electric VWs, spearheaded by the I.D. hatch at the end of 2019 and the Crozz SUV the following year.

The Volkswagen Phaeton was the last luxury car from the brand. Read our in-depth review here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Tariffs, China, EV tech: VW comes out fighting its existential crisis as results are published
Volkswagen badge

Tariffs, China, EV tech: VW comes out fighting its existential crisis as results are published

Volkswagen looks to the future after announcing disappointing financial results
News
11 Mar 2025
Lighter, punchier batteries key to VW’s new, cheaper ID.2 and ID.1 EVs
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept - side

Lighter, punchier batteries key to VW’s new, cheaper ID.2 and ID.1 EVs

VW is ready to use new battery technology to drive down the cost of its new, affordable electric cars
News
11 Mar 2025
Cutting-edge Rivian software to power Volkswagen ID.1 city car and future models
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept - full front

Cutting-edge Rivian software to power Volkswagen ID.1 city car and future models

Volkswagen ID.Every1 previews ID.1 production car that will feature new-age software architecture from Rivian
News
7 Mar 2025
Volkswagen ID.1 GTI could happen – if enough of us want one
Volkswagen ID.1 GTI - design render

Volkswagen ID.1 GTI could happen – if enough of us want one

It’s technically possible, but not a priority. It’ll likely depend on us if VW launches an ID.1 GTI
News
6 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Dacia Sandero spotted for the first time: fresh look for Europe’s best-selling car
Dacia Sandero facelift spied testing - front tracking

New Dacia Sandero spotted for the first time: fresh look for Europe’s best-selling car

The humble supermini’s makeover is inspired by the Dacia Spring EV, plus Duster and Bigster SUV
News
11 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Prices tumble for Ford's Explorer – bag one for £233 a month
Ford Explorer - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Prices tumble for Ford's Explorer – bag one for £233 a month

The Ford Explorer is one of the more fun-to-drive family electric SUVs around – and our Deal of the Day for 12 March.
News
12 Mar 2025
New all-electric Toyota C-HR+ revealed to challenge the Renault Scenic
Toyota C-HR+ - front

New all-electric Toyota C-HR+ revealed to challenge the Renault Scenic

The Toyota C-HR+ joins the Japanese brand's all-electric line-up, slotting between the Urban Cruiser and bZ4X
News
11 Mar 2025