VW eT! Concept

[Wretched]

eT! is electrically powered and drives semi-automatically on command

Driver can steer the eT! by 'drive stick' from passenger's side as alternative

Wolfsburg / Potsdam, 18. November 2011. For over 60 years now, commercial vehicles from Volkswagen have maintained a visual presence on the world's streets. They are helpers in everyday life, which bring us people goods, services, postal deliveries and occasionally emergency assistance as well. Volkswagen Group Research, which is responsible for the world of tomorrow, together with the German Post Office ('Deutsche Post AG'), which is one of the largest customers of lightweight commercial vehicles – as well as the University of Art at Braunschweig – formed a think tank on future transport and mobility issues. Finally, these research activities led to a completely new vehicle concept for the delivery and logistics field: eT!

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research: "We analysed process flows and customer needs in detail, and from these analyses we derived ideas on how the segment of delivery and courier vehicles could be further developed over the long term. In this context, we focused on zero-emissions driving and available space in urban areas, semiautomatic driving functions that offer relevant support and simplify work processes and the integration of new communication technologies. On top of that, we also set out to design a very emotionally appealing commercial vehicle. To attain these goals, our teams not only looked towards the future from the past, but also worked from a future perspective to implement an advanced development concept based on technologies available today."

The eT! research vehicle could someday actually revolutionise the world of lightweight commercial vehicles. Completely reconceptualised, driven with zero emissions, thought through to the last detail and driving semi-automatically if necessary! Just how wide-ranging the significance of this research project could be for sustainability in the transportation field is underscored by the support for the eT! project by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. "The eT! research vehicle," explains Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, spokesperson for the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, "unifies a whole gamut of innovative functions, which will gain in future importance, specifically for logistics businesses. In particular, the possibility of driving the car semi-automatically – and electrically – in downtown areas unifies economical and environmental aspects more systematically than ever. As a vision of the future, the eT! Is showcasing what is the maximum feasible technology for electric vehicles in the commercial market today with a special design that systematically addresses future customer needs."

"eT! is a pure electrically powered transporter that systematically transfers E-mobility to the area of commercial use," says Dr. Rudolf Krebs, Group Manager for Electric Traction at Volkswagen AG. And continues: "As a transport specialist, the eT! is advancing to become the automotive building block for an innovative, future-oriented logistics concept, which not only drives with zero emissions in urban areas – thanks to its electric wheel hub motors – but also offers maximum freedom in manoeuvering and turning as well as optimal utilisation of the vehicle's interior space. If 'refuelled' with electricity generated from renewable energy sources, the eT! can indeed be operated with zero emissions. Naturally, the eT! is not a vehicle which – unlike the Golf or up! with an electric motor – could become available very soon. But we must make plans today for what the world of lightweight commercial vehicles might look like starting in the second half of this decade, including with regard to electrical drives."

To make the working world of mail delivery personnel and courier drivers simpler and safer, to optimise the logistics of delivery and to shorten delivery times, eT! can be operated semiautomatically in certain situations. The car can follow the delivery person from house to house ("Follow me"), or the car can return to the delivery person on command ("Come to me") – driverless! As an alternative, the driver can direct the car's movements via a 'drive stick' from the passenger's side that also offers a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle. On the passenger's side – the side that faces the sidewalk and therefore the working area of the delivery person – there is therefore an electrically opening sliding door that opens to 2 different stages; this enables extremely quick entry into the vehicle as well as quick access to the mail parcels. This makes unnecessary walking movements around the vehicle a thing of the past.

Variants of this lightweight transport vehicle could be implemented for all conceivable business uses. And these derived concepts are also the focus of research activities. Meanwhile, the eT! concept shown in a world premiere at the Design Centre of Potsdam was specially designed for delivery of mail shipments of all types. The research vehicle will now be integrated in a driving test study and further analysed.

Very cool concept..do like the Follow Me, Come to Me feature.

[Till_Lind]

Looks great, genuinely futuristic looking.

[zlcrazy]

Oh great,

More computerized crap to go wrong VW Style - Just out of warranty with no out of warranty assistance, usually in the thousands and told its a one off.

Just my opinion.

zlcrazy

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by zlcrazy

Oh great,

More computerized crap to go wrong VW Style - Just out of warranty with no out of warranty assistance, usually in the thousands and told its a one off.

Just my opinion.

zlcrazy

Perhaps sunshine you do a little research on what your yappin about... come up with some truth/records etc

Actually I'll offer my congratulations, your day job must be with CH7 or Ch9 you speak the same lingo..

I'll admit they sometimes have a problem but less than any other brand. Ask VW owners and ones with current new machines. Having set up a new business we are strapped for cash but Id gladly walk away from Ford my choice of VWs would be Annorak, Passat, Caddy Maxi, and VI Golf GTI

[Bossxr8]

DSG's are a big problem for VW. A lot of them playing up. There's just about one every week in Carsguide, and Wheels long term test VW's have had problems too.

A few problems with the turbos on some models too. They aren't as bulletproof as some people think they are. They have their problems just like all the others.

[Brazen]

Know an electrician who had to spend $14,000 for a new engine for a VW Transporter only 5 or so years old. Have a friend who has had constant expensive problems with his Golf. Wouldnt touch them.

Apparantly a lot of known problems with one of their turbo engine lines as well.


On topic, the van looks great. Electric power would be great for a lot of slow speed stop/start driving.

[2011G6E]

Looks like a good work van, well laid out and good looking. I'd imagine the actual version on sale won't have half the electronics. However, I'm sure many of us said that when the first concepts of "self parking" came out, and now it's becoming quite common.

[zlcrazy]

Originally Posted by Tonz

Perhaps sunshine you do a little research on what your yappin about... come up with some truth/records etc

Actually I'll offer my congratulations, your day job must be with CH7 or Ch9 you speak the same lingo..

I'll admit they sometimes have a problem but less than any other brand. Ask VW owners and ones with current new machines. Having set up a new business we are strapped for cash but Id gladly walk away from Ford my choice of VWs would be Annorak, Passat, Caddy Maxi, and VI Golf GTI

Hello Tonz,

As i said - IN MY OPINION.

And yes you are right, every car company has its faults. I should know. Working for a multi-franchise dealership with one of them being VW, I see alsorts of issue that you wouldn't expect with new cars.

And on the other side I see "budget built" cars with little to no problems.

Every car company builds good and bad models, but that's the same for all manufactures/companies not just car companies.

Thanks

zlcrazy

[phillyc]

Nice concept.

Shame about the VW quality. Work had a transporter. 4Motion gearbox gave up and it cost $14k about 5 years ago and wasn't covered by warranty. Mate had his wifes VW Golf not start on a regular basis, having it towed, being left without a car, and various other isues. Sold it before the lease was up and still under warranty.

[mik]

indeed they are no different to any other car maker and have their share of problems.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by zlcrazy

Hello Tonz,

And yes you are right, every car company has its faults. I should know. Working for a multi-franchise dealership with one of them being VW, I see alsorts of issue that you wouldn't expect with new cars.

Same opinion from my dealer which carries both Ford and VW. The service people say the quality of VW is better but when something goes wrong (usually out of warranty) it's bad, costs the owner heaps and often a wait for parts from overseas. They also say Fords can often limp home with a major fault, when a VW develops a major fault it stops dead. Parts and service costs are also higher for VW than Ford.

Apparently a little internal "crisis" at Wolfsburg at the moment is that they're trying to stem the flow of middle management voting with their feet and getting Skoda Superbs as their car of choice - you know, the Passat variant from VAG's quality arm! The joke about Skoda making better VWs than VW lingers on, still solidly supported by warranty providers' reliability surveys. Badge snobbery doesn't always help the hip pocket!

[Assassinbm]

eT, does this stand for euroTrash.......