The Gen.Travel is an innovation-packed real prototype that drives autonomously and gives a realistic outlook for the mobility of the coming decade

The Volkswagen Group has showcased an innovative design concept that aims to take passengers on an autonomous journey into the future, where one can work, relax and sleep while travelling … just like on a flight.

The Gen.Travel concept will redefine the long-distance mobility of the future, says the group.

The Gen.Travel, an all-electric powered Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV), is a real prototype that drives autonomously (Level 5) and gives a realistic outlook for the mobility of the coming decade.

The car’s modular interior concept makes it a flexible, sustainable Mobility-as-a-Service alternative to short-haul flights. As a research vehicle, the purpose of the Gen.Travel is to test the concept and new functionalities for customer response.

The iconic, innovation-packed concept heralds a completely new vehicle category in the premium portfolio between sedan and MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).

“With its New Auto strategy, Volkswagen defines the mobility for generations to come – sustainable and digital,” says Dr Nikolai Ardey, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation.

“In the group-wide Volkswagen Innovation Research Department, we are further advancing this idea, showing how our customers will be able to experience mobility in the future – for example, as a service. With Gen.Travel, we can already experience today what will be possible in the near future with innovative technology. Door-to-door travel at a new level. Emission-free and stress-free.”

The Gen.Travel drives autonomously and turns the driver into a relaxed passenger who has time for other things: work, relaxation, entertainment and family.

Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, explains: “The Gen.Travel offers us a glimpse of the travel of the future. It shows us what autonomous driving will look like in the future. The Gen.Travel embodies the visionary design of beyond tomorrow for the mobility of tomorrow. Efficient shaping characterises the extremely distinctive design. Thus, in an age of technical perfection and virtually unlimited possibilities, ‘form follows function’ becomes ‘form follows freedom’. The automobile will not only be better, but also more exciting than ever before.”

The Gen.Travel has a unique, modular interior concept that can be customised for each journey and booked as a Mobility-as-a-Service offering. Depending on the configuration, up to four people can be transported in the concept vehicle. For business trips, the conference setup with four comfortable seats and a large table in the middle of the interior provides relaxed surroundings. 

The futuristic exterior of the Gen.Travel is divided into two parts: The transparent, glass cabin is perfectly incorporated into the lower section, which houses all the technical features. The edge of the window is at waist level, making it very low so as to maximise the view of the outside.