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
Alessandro Renesis
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
