Volkswagen’s Affordable Electric Car Teased
Volkswagen India could be late to the EV game, but they are definitely coming with electric vehicles. Now, the carmaker has released the teaser images of its entry-level electric vehicle for the first time, ahead of the official debut. Reports say that the new electric car will be an EV successor of the now-discontinued Volkswagen UP hatchback. It will thus take design inspiration.
Volkswagen’s Affordable EV: What Do We Know About It?
In the Volkswagen portfolio, the new electric hatchback will sit below the VW ID.2. In global markets, it could be called the ID.One or ID.1, when launched. Going by reports and the official speak, it will be a five-door car, probably with a raised stance and body cladding that would make it look more muscular. Volkswagen plans to launch as many as nine new models globally by 2027, and this is one of them.
The teaser shows rectangular headlamps with 3D LED lighting signatures. These are neatly integrated into the grille (which is again, finished in Black) that also comes with an illuminated VW logo. There are vertically set sleek LED DRLs as well. The front bumper looks masculine, and so do the sculpted fenders. When launched, this new EV will have a price of around €20,000. This pricing will allow VW to target the right set of users with the product.
Volkswagen plans to get the show car ready by the beginning of March. The world premiere of the production-spec is scheduled for 2027 though. CEO Thomas Schäfer describes the new EV as “An affordable, high-quality, profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe. This will be the Champions League of automobile manufacturing.”
The company seems to have set its focus on entry-level mobility in the electric era, to drive volumes. This will act as one of the cornerstones of Volkswagen Global’s future plans. Like the ID. 2all, the upcoming entry-level EV too will be based on the MEB (modular electric drive) platform. The architecture will, however, be shortened for use on the affordable EV. The ID.2all is known to be the first to arrive. It could start reaching dealerships in 2026, with a base price of €25,000.
Volkswagen’s entry-level EV is expected to get a single motor setup and compact battery pack. These would be essential to keep costs under check. These underpinnings will also be used in the entry-level Skoda and Seat EVs as well.
The carmaker hasn’t decided on which production facility would build the entry-level Volkswagen EV. The ID.2all and the ID.2X will be built in Spain, alongside the Skoda Epiq and the Cupra Raval SUVs.
India Launch Plans For Volkswagen EVs
The carmaker continues to remain tight-lipped about the entry-level EV making its way to India. However, we remember VW India previously hinting at a possible steer towards electrification in the not-so-distant future. Those electric vehicles would, however, be based on a localised version of the CMP architecture- called the IMP or India Main Platform. It will have a strong focus on localisation. Reports say that a compact electric SUV and mid-size SUV are in plans.
Volkswagen And The EV Game:
In the global EV scene, Volkswagen seems to be well positioned and does decent monthly numbers. The ID. range of electric vehicles have done well for the brand. First launched in 2019, more than 1.35 million ID. vehicles have been sold so far. Of this, around 500,000 units were ID.3s. 383,100 all-electric Volkswagens were sold last year alone.