Cayenne

Make
Porsche
Segment
SUV

Volkswagen is the latest manufacturer to tease what we can expect at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, which will be underway in less than two weeks. Following the reveal of the Volkswagen I.D. Concept at the 2016 Paris show, the German manufacturer confirmed that a second concept car based on its Modular Electric Drive platform will be shown at the autoshow with "links between the legendary origins of the Volkswagen brand and its electrifying future."

Given that the previous concept car had some design inspiration from the iconic Beetle, it's looking like we'll finally get to see the long-rumored Volkswagen Microbus EV, which is backed up further by some teaser images supplied by VW. Like the I.D., the new concept car will be based on the same Modula Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform, which shows that the manufacturer has big plans for this range in the future. "These initials have stood for a new generation of fully connected, all-electric vehicles from Volkswagen," VW said. "The I.D. also stands for purity in design language, form, and character as well as typical Volkswagen attention to detail and ideal use of interior space."

VW also say that this concept car will be fully autonomous in the future. Pressing the VW logo will cause the electrically retractable steering wheel to disappear into the dashboard, while laser scanners, ultrasonic and radar sensors and cameras will monitor other road users and surroundings to allow the car to be driven without any driver input. It will also incorporate two electric motors for all-wheel drive. Admittedly, this isn't the first time VW has revealed a Microbus concept, but the I.D. Concept from Paris has already been confirmed for production and will launch in 2020, with autonomous implementation planned for 2025. All will be revealed at Detroit 2017, so watch this space.