A mysterious new electric vehicle using Volkswagen badges has been presented at the Volkswagen Group’s Future Mobility Days event in Germany.
Called the Gen.E, the Golf-sized design has been shown in a pair of official photos however Volkswagen is hesitant to phone call it a new idea car. Instead, this is referred to as a ‘research vehicle’, as well as has been developed as a test bed to demonstrate new quick charging technologies.
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According to a VW spokesperson, the Gen.E is “being utilized purely to notify engineering developments”.
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As such, the Gen.E is currently being utilized to show off the Volkswagen Group’s latest tech – Mobile Charging Robots. These are moving, autonomous rigs designed with underground garages as well as multi-storey vehicle parks in mind. The Gen.E teams up with the charging robot, which can provide sufficient fee to prime electric vehicles with varieties exceeding 248 miles – the preliminary target set for the firm’s upcoming I.D badged EVs.
While the focus is on the technology, not the car, VW states that the Gen.E underpinned by lightweight design designed for maximum accident security – the official line makes no mention of the firm’s MEB electric vehicle platform.
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In terms of design, the Gen.E is a three-door hatchback boasting angular lines as well as aero effective blades at the C-pillar. The front end takes on a VW Golf influenced bent with a thin wide grille linking the headlights, while the C-shaped daytime running lights are extremely similar to those on the latest e-Golf.
Given the mysterious presentation of the vehicle, it’s difficult to speculate that the Gen.E previews any type of future VW designs or indeed the firm’s next generation style language, though for engineers to style a new vehicle totally from scratch to demonstrate charging rigs appears excessive. It seems possible that aspects of the style language seen on the Gen.E might resurface on future VW ideas or production cars.
The VW Gen.E is sure to be a vehicle we’ll see more of in the future though, as VW continues establishing quick charging technology.
Do you believe that the Volkswagen Gen.E points towards something bigger? A new car? tell us your thoughts in the comments.