Volkswagen has taken a lot of flak in recent years for changing things that should’ve been left alone. Examples include cramming most functions into a supersized screen or turning the climate and audio volume controls into touch sliders, which initially weren’t even illuminated. Wolfsburg has heard the criticism and promises a return to form by doing things the old way. That includes proper door handles.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, VW CEO Thomas Schäfer admitted that flush door handles may look nice, but they are „terrible to operate.“ That may sound ironic considering the company’s latest concept car has pop-out handles. However, the ID. Every1 introduced in March must’ve been designed a while ago, back when VW thought these were a good idea. The company’s entry-level electric car won’t enter production until 2027, giving it enough time to revert to a traditional layout.
Models like the ID.4 and ID.7 also use flush handles since the doors have an electronic release mechanism. Still, you can pull the handle the old-fashioned way. VW actually ran into problems with the crossover’s setup and recalled nearly 100,000 units last year. It even suspended production at the Chattanooga plant until a fix was found. The issue stemmed from improper waterproofing, which allowed moisture to reach the door controller’s circuit board, potentially causing the door to open while driving.
Whether VW intends to give those vehicles regular door handles with future facelifts remains to be seen, but the upcoming ID.2 Polo shows where things are heading. Many automakers went with flush handles to improve aerodynamic efficiency in the pursuit of extra range for their electric vehicles. However, Schäfer says the German automaker has realized that what customers want matters more:
Photo by: Volkswagen
Photo by: Volkswagen
“We give the people what they’re asking for. We study a lot, get the feedback from customers, dealers, from the media, and we take that seriously.”
These “hidden” door handles ranked among the most frequent issues customers reported in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study. There might even come a time when they’re outlawed in China, the world’s biggest car market. Citing anonymous auto industry sources, local media outlet Mingjing Pro reported last week that regulators are considering banning fully concealed handles altogether. Semi-retractable handles would still be allowed, provided they have a mechanical backup in case the electronic release fails.
Having door handles that stay flush with the bodywork may bring tangible efficiency gains and give a car a sleeker profile, but they’re just another thing that can go wrong. Today’s cars are already overly complicated, so sticking with what has worked for more than a hundred years is probably what most of us would prefer. Even if it means sacrificing a few miles of range and a bit of styling flair.
Source:
Deutsche Welle / YouTube
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