Car Reviews, Cars, EV

Volkswagen wants to revolutionize long-distance travel with this autonomous concept car

Published on Sep 24, 2022 at 11:45 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis

Last updated on Sep 27, 2022 at 3:40 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

This is the Volkswagen Gen.Travel, an autonomous concept car that the company wants to use to revolutionize long-distance travel.

Unlike most self-driving vehicles, this quirky concept isn’t meant to be used in urban areas.

It was actually designed to replace airplanes to take you from A to B.

VW Gen.Travel on the road
Image: Volkswagen

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So what exactly is the idea behind this boxy little thing?

Well, VW is essentially saying we don’t need to catch a plane to travel to a new city if it’s just a few hundred miles away.

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Despite the amusing, almost kei car-like design, the company actually says the Gen.Travel is basically an MPV, and in English that means it’s a ‘van’.

Obviously, for marketing purposes, VW also invented a new category to define the vehicle: Innovation Experience Vehicle or IEV.

Volkswagen autonomous concept in the city
Image: Volkswagen
Volkswagen autonomous concept on the road
Image: Volkswagen

The concept is engineered to be spacious and comfortable.

It has gullwing doors but it doesn’t have any B-pillars, and this makes it a lot easier to get inside.

In addition to that, it doesn’t have a steering wheel and the seats fold completely flat.

If you opt for the ‘business specification’, you will get face-to-face seats and a worktable.

Volkswagen autonomous concept, business experience
Image: Volkswagen
VW Gen.Travel interior
Image: Volkswagen

Last but not least, the Volkswagen Gen.Travel is classified as a Level 5 autonomous concept vehicle.

This means it can go anywhere and do anything without ever needing a driver.

We should point out that Level 5 autonomy is still science fiction.

Having said that, automakers are already experimenting with this technology to create new concept vehicles.

VW quirky concept side profile
Image: Volkswagen

The Gen.Travel is obviously just a futuristic prototype and we won’t be seeing a production model in the near future.

However, it definitely stands out. The shape and the idea behind it are quite interesting.

The Gen.Travel will be visible at this year’s Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille event near Paris, France.

VW Gen.Travel rear section
Image: Volkswagen
VW Gen.Travel front
Image: Volkswagen

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Experienced content creator with a strong focus on cars and watches. Alessandro penned the first-ever post on the Supercar Blondie website and covers cars, watches, yachts, real estate and crypto. Former DriveTribe writer, fixed gear bike owner, obsessed with ducks for some reason.