Volkswagen EV drivers in Europe will soon be able to play video games while they charge.
The automaker announced Monday that it will add the AirConsole gaming platform to certain models in some European countries starting in mid September. VW plans to expand availability to more European countries by the end of 2024 or early 2025, but did not discuss U.S. availability.
2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
AirConsole, which is also available in the BMW i5, runs as an app on vehicle infotainment systems, but relies on users' smartphones as controllers. Vehicles must be placed in park to use this feature, which includes single-player and multiplayer options.
The gaming feature launches on the VW ID.7 Tourer, the wagon version of the ID.7 hatchback. This model was never intended for the U.S., although the standard hatchback version was initially due to arrive in this market later this year, as a 2025 model. VW in May delayed the release of the U.S.-market ID.7, though, and hasn't set a revised timeline for its arrival.
2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Along with the ID.7, VW plans to offer in-vehicle gaming on the ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 EVs (only the ID.4 is sold in the U.S.), as well as the internal-combustion Golf, Passat, and Tiguan.
VW did not mention plans to offer AirConsole gaming in the ID.Buzz electric van, which is finally due to reach the U.S. dealers later this year with a base price of $61,545 and up to 234 miles of EPA range (those numbers aren't for the same vehicle). While it's also sold as a cargo van in Europe, the ID.Buzz is offered in the U.S. exclusively as a three-row passenger van—which would seem like a good application for built-in gaming.
