Volkswagen releases three concepts... from 2028
Click the above image of the Ego for more shots of VW's 2028 concepts
For years, Inquiring minds have been imagining what the world will look like in the not-too-distant future, and, as you're no doubt aware, our brains have a knack for envisioning more than our feeble hands can produce. That appears to be the case with Volkswagen and its look 20 years into the future of the automobile. So, with that in mind, what does VeeDub see as the future of transportation in twenty years? To begin with, customizable cars which can be summoned up in just minutes. Traveling alone? Choose the One, a single-seater, for the smallest footprint possible. Want to have some fun? Choose the aptly named Ego, a sporty two passenger coupe with an instant custom flame job. If you need to haul the whole clan, the future's
Volkswagen envisions vehicles which communicate with each other, meaning that driver involvement is kept to a minimum, traffic is a thing of the past and accidents are completely avoided. Of course, no vision of the future would be complete without the elimination of fossil fuels, and VW sees to it that biofuels and electricity power the cars of the future. Interestingly, the not-so-futuristic up! concept is used as the starting point for the German automaker's future designs. Head on over to the micro-site for more.
Gallery: Volkswagen 2028
[Source: Volkswagen 2028]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Soccer Mom 3:20PM (7/08/2008)
Nice concepts. I liked the 3-wheeled vehicle.
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chrisdavis 3:30PM (7/08/2008)
Proof that designers hate hubs.
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Kotse 4:03PM (7/08/2008)
Not just "hubs"...Kryptonite hubs! ;)
Donald 3:31PM (7/08/2008)
At least they got rid of the chrome grills.
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anti-believer 3:44PM (7/08/2008)
Yeah, but did they get rid of the gasket burning oil engines?
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Dinger 3:48PM (7/08/2008)
As if car design will that that radically different in a mere 20 years. Some times the design boys (and girls) tend more towards getting a MOMA exhibit than actual cars that will sell.
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turbo-quattro 4:07PM (7/08/2008)
take into account the fact that we are currently in a frenzy to have gas free/gas friendly cars because of the seemingly endless raise in prices, it is not entirely impossible. I mean maybe they do have a bit of an imagination, but many of the things they are saying are current or new technologies taken to the next level.
In 1988 navigation systems were fairly futuristic seeming, especially if they would tell you a new route if there was traffic. That is something available in most mid-range cars today.
Paint that can change colors, well Nissan is already developing that.
In 1988 hybrid technologies were just first starting to blossom, today the word "hybrid" is pretty much an everyday concept.
Today blind spot sensors, lane assist, parking sensors, and other such concepts are just beginning to break surface. Give them 20 years to blossom and no accidents almost seems possible.
At first glance these cars look "too futuristic" for 20 years from now, or that the concepts they talk about are out of reach, but if you stop and think about the technologies we currently have and give them 20 years to grow, much of what they say is possible or at least plausible.
geo.stewart 4:48PM (7/08/2008)
turbo, none of what you mentioned substantially changed the look or basic design structure of the auto.
Is it possible? sure. Likely? no. considering the 'current atmosphere' of green, look to the X-prize for what the future may hold. look to the driverless auto for big cities.
size has varied over the years. 1920s to 1940s probably has the biggest change. after that, not so much.
I can see these in 30-40 yrs but not 20. its VW, not Cadillac or MB or RR so its got to be mainstream. these wont happen by then. GM/Toyota,... are just touching on hybrid. It will be 20+ yrs before we start getting close to a GM Autonomy sled in production. It will be 15 yrs before we start seeing extensive use of exotic materials (aluminum, CF, the economies of space and such found in today's concepts with hanging seats,...)
Dinger 5:05PM (7/08/2008)
First of all I was talking about the design of the cars, not the technology, so your point about how far technology has advanced in the last 20 years is a some what moot.
Second, your example of nav systems being, “fairly futuristic” is a bit off the mark considering that in ’88 my parish priest had a Reatta with GM’s big touch screen command center. I’d say that 20 years ago the idea of nav wasn’t so much futuristic as it was the next logical step, and a step taken only 7 years later when in 1995 Oldsmobile offered the worlds first nav system with its “Guidestar”.
However, we can talk about tech advances all we want but it doesn’t change my point that the design of the cars in 20 years won’t be that radically different from today (i.e. fixed hubs, full glass canopies, etc.)
dude 8:32PM (7/08/2008)
actually there is a point in what turbo quattro says, if you look at some of mazda's recent concepts you'd see they kinda look like the volkswagon ego might not be the same style but also today cdillac and ferrari really don't look like each other... well the basic diffrence between the ego and the mazda is that the mazda has only a futuristic style and not a futuristic look i mean that mostly by the fact that the mazda has windows.
anyway if u wanna take a look at another futuristic conceot that might make the VW ego look logical search nokia morph in youtube...!
Dude 3:51PM (7/08/2008)
What a grim boring future VW has planned for itself.
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Joshua 4:06PM (7/08/2008)
what is the point of doing this? seriously... why not invest the resources into something useful right now. these visions are always anything but accurate.
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Disgruntled Goat 4:40PM (7/08/2008)
Here's a concept: Build a reliable car.
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Nobody Special 4:40PM (7/08/2008)
I like their efforts with the site. Time will tell just much style will be built in and what the bodies will be made of. Practical doesn't have to be boring.
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skydrive 4:59PM (7/08/2008)
These are not that far off, nor are they an exercise in futility. The entire purpose of these exercises is inspiration. Inspiration that things can be done. That hope and optimism will be alive and well. The best thing about concepts? They get people talking about the future, which leads to creative thought, which leads to...the future. I'd say they are conservative for such a long distance out. Nicely done of course, but nothing like the flexible skin Beemer of a few weeks back.
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CORVETTE ZR1 5:06PM (7/08/2008)
VW's are Girl car's always have been always will be... so why even care ?
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WOB-379 5:35PM (7/08/2008)
You really need a life that doesn't involve posting the same insipid and gramatically incorrect message on each VW post.
CORVETTE ZR1 5:57PM (7/08/2008)
it makes me sleep good at night doing it over and over... and knowing that you'll be there to say something to prove me wrong lol...
Big Rocket 8:14PM (7/08/2008)
@Corvette fanboy: There were those in the GTR-versus-Corvette threads who pointed out, Corvettes are retirees' cars, they always have been, and always will be, so who cares. Not that I agree with them, but I thought it would do you some good to have a taste of your own medicine.
Mi key 7:43PM (7/08/2008)
Having hubless rims would be great. The micro-site is pretty cool.
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