Volkswagen highlighted its newfound all-electric vehicle set to be the brand's first official push into the market on Monday, June 27, in a press release and full showcase in China. Coined the ID.Aero, VW's electric concept is slated for full production by the second half of 2023 specifically for the Chinese market.
The ID.Aero is set to be a stepping stone for the company as it heads into the future of the electric market, acting as an inspiration for VW's next fleet of EVs. The VW ID. Aero price as of yet remains steeped in secrecy, but VW did highlight specific details about the ride, such as its 385 miles of range, based upon Europe's WLTP test cyle, and 0.23 drag coefficient.
"With the ID.Aero show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. family," said VW's Chief Executive Officer of passenger cars, Ralf Brandstätter. "A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kilometers, an extraordinary amount of space and premium interior. With our ACCELERATE strategy, we are intensively driving forward the electrification of our model range."
VW explains that the ID Aero concept was implemented with specific aerodynamic design principles that ensure its 0.23 ultra-low drag coefficient, allotting the EV on par with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i4. It will also run on VW's Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB), the car brand's robust vehicular architecture that can be situated on varied rides in VW's already existing fleet.
The current percentage of vehicles existing on VW's MEB platform sits at around 30%, but the company wants to exponentially expand that number heading into 2025 to a whopping 80% through newfound offerings, like its forthcoming off-road EV slated for 2026. Utilizing such dedicated platforms is a way for many car companies to take existing gas engine rides and easily retrofit them for the new age EV fit, best expressed in GM's Ultium design platform.
The ID.Aero acts as VW's foolproof stepping stone of awarding its newfound MEB platform some much-needed muscle alongside accurately pinpointing the overall readiness for buyers of EVs in varied locations. The concept EV will first launch in China following other VW offerings such as the ID3, ID 4, and ID6, and the ID.Aero will come in two different models, one made by SAIC Volkswagen, while the other comes bred from FAW-Volkswagen. It will be coming to Europe and North America soon after its China debut.
Although VW is pushing headlong initially in China, the country itself has faced some dire circumstances in regards to the EV market. For starters, local brands are being wrought by various supply chain woes, making parts allocation difficult due to the previous revival of Covid-19 lockdowns in the area. Additionally, local buyers seemingly are keener on purchasing from local brands, according to a report from Reuters, which highlights BYD as the country's leading EV brand, with VW placed at 15th in mainland EV sales.
VW has remained rather tight-lipped on its concept, adding little else in the form of internal details, such as the ID Aero price, its motor configuration, overall energy capacity, and more. Additional information is sure to come out in the coming months, but it's clear that VW is attempting to fit itself into a new mold of automaker, challenging the likes of Tesla and even regional offerings with this new concept.
The ID Aero isn't, however, the only electric concept under VW's guise. The automaker has two alternative concepts in the works, including the ID Buggy dune buggy and the ID Roomzz SUV.
Read Also : Volkswagen, Bosch Agrees to Setup 6 Battery Production Centers in EU by 2030; Is this for Electric Vehicles?
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Written by Ryan Epps
