The simple and minimalist aesthetics of Apple products, such as the iPhone, iPad or iMac, whether you like it or not, has been an unavoidable reference that inspires and influences so many others in the area of product design. Will it have a place in car design?
According to Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen's design director, in statements to Reuters, no doubt so. A new generation of branded electric cars is just around the corner — the production version of the Volkswagen I.D. will be presented in 2019 — and the adoption of the apple brand's values of simplicity will serve as a guide to define the design and style of the new generation of electric vehicles of the German brand.
Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen Design DirectorWe are currently redefining Volkswagen's values in the age of electrification. What is at stake is to be as meaningful, pure and clear as possible and also to envision a completely new architecture.
large investments
Shifting to this new electric paradigm — regulators are demanding a rapid pace of emissions reductions and even mandatory electric cars in key markets like China — will be costly. It will be impossible to change an industrial giant like Volkswagen overnight into this new reality.The German group has already announced investments totaling around 34 billion euros in electric cars, autonomous driving and digital mobility — the Volkswagen brand alone will invest six billion euros.
Among them is the conception of a platform dedicated to electric vehicles called MEB, from which at least 20 vehicles will be derived. Volkswagen, in addition to the I.D. — a sedan similar in format to the Golf —, has already revealed some of the future models through concepts I.D. Buzz — the reinvention of the iconic “Pão de Forma” — and the I.D. Crozz, a crossover.
New concept in Geneva?
According to Klaus Bischoff, the Geneva Motor Show, which takes place from March 8th, will serve as a stage for us to see a first approach to the post-I.D. future, for a new generation of electric vehicles.