This stretched Volkswagen ID.4 adds two extra seats out back but will only be available in China.
Volkswagen certainly looks to be committed with its electrification offensive, as its all-electric ID. range has expanded at a rather rapid pace. Not long after the Golf-sized ID.3 and Tiguan-sized ID.4 were launched last year, the German auto giant has since revealed its latest addition within its zero-emissions lineup with the unveiling of the ID.6 e-SUV.
Essentially an ID.4 that has been stretched by some 30 cm in its wheelbase, this now 4.88 m long VW e-SUV hence brings with it the added benefit of two extra rear seats over its shorter sibling. For families interested in this ID.6 however, you’d better hope you’re living in China then as interestingly, this 7-seat all-electric SUV will exclusively be sold over there.
More specifically, there will actually be two variants of the ID.6 that will be exclusive to the Chinese market. These will be the more-rugged ID.6 CROZZ (seen in orange) which is being manufactured in the north of the country under a joint venture with FAW, while the sleeker ID.6 X (seen in blue/purple) will be made in collaboration with SAIC in the southern part of China.
The differences between these two variants are wholly aesthetic, with slightly different front and rear fascias (LED light clusters and bumpers) distinguishing one from the other. As for the exterior differences between the ID.6 and the ID.4 meanwhile, aside from the size increase, the larger Volkswagen also features a slightly more upright stance than its sleeker sibling, though for the large part they are by-and-large visually similar.
Continuing under the skin, this new 7-seat ID.6 naturally sits on the Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform that underpins nearly all VW group EVs. What sets this 7-seat EV apart however from the likes of the ID.4 is that it while the standard variants still come with only a 177 hp or 201 hp single rear motor, there will also be the option for a dual motored 4Motion powertrain (alá ID.4 GTX) that supposedly produces a combined 225 kW of power, a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h.
As for what powers these motor(s) within the ID.6, two battery sizes of 58 kWh and 77 kWh will be offered with this new VW. Thereby translating to a China NEDC claimed range of between 436 km and 588 km respectively, depending on which powertrain option selected too.
Moving within this new Volkswagen, the cabin of the ID.6 remains relatively similar to that first seen on the ID.4. Coming with no ‘physical buttons or switches’, this VW e-SUV instead features a 12-inch central infotainment touchscreen, ‘Hello ID.’ voice control and the ID. Light functionality which supposedly is ‘a narrow strip light below the windscreen that provides the driver with intuitive support’.
An augmented reality heads up display and a large panoramic sunroof too is offered as an optional extra on the ID.6, while the IQ.Drive assistance systems with Travel Assist are standard fit. There are also a selection of funky alloy wheel designs available on both variants, ranging from 19- to 21-inches in diameter.
According to Volkswagen, the ID.6 aims to be keystone for the company’s ambition to have half of its car sales in China be electric by 2030. The third of eight fully electric VW models to be launched over there by 2023, the German auto giant has also incidentally confirmed a similarly-sized version that is to arrive in North America at an unspecified time in the future.
So perhaps it will be that model than that will make it outside the walls of China and into the wider world. Though unfortunately, it will certainly be a long time coming before it (or any of the ID. lineup in fact) actually makes its way over here to Malaysia.
PRESS RELEASE: The Volkswagen brand is driving its electrification offensive in China at full speed. The third model in the ID. family, the ID.6, has now been unveiled at the Auto Shanghai. Two versions of the fully electric family SUV are available: The ID.6 CROZZ is being manufactured in the north of China and the ID.6 X in the southern part of the country. The multi-variable all-round model has room for up to seven people. The ID.6 is a continuation of Volkswagen’s regionalisation strategy and is another important step towards becoming the most sought-after brand for sustainable mobility in China.
“With the new ID.6, we are laying the foundations for at least 50 percent of our cars sold in China being electric by 2030,” said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “We are maintaining momentum and gradually increasing our range of MEB cars: By 2023, Volkswagen will have a total of eight ID. models in China, making MEB nationwide there. The economies of scale that we have achieved allow us to offer the latest technology at an affordable price – and thus further expand our electric offensive.”
Like the compact ID.3 and the ID.4, the third member of the fully electric family is also based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The ID.6 makes full use of the strengths of MEB: It enables consistently high quality worldwide, with equally high standards – and also leaves room to develop individual models specifically for certain markets or regions of the world. The ID.6 is tailored specifically to the needs and wishes of Chinese customers in terms of space, functionality, design and, in particular, user experience.
The ID.6 includes many innovations: The most spacious model of the ID. family to date has gone in the direction of lots of interior space and creates design highlights in lighting and material. Available in four configurations, with a range of up to 588 km (China NEDC) and 225 kW of power, as well as the standard MEB IQ.Drive systems, up to seven people can travel with power, in style and safely in the ID.6.
The two batteries available have a storage capacity of 58 kWh and 77 kWh of net battery capacity, and allow a range of between 436 and 588 km (China NEDC). The battery is located under the passenger cabin, guaranteeing a low centre of gravity. The e-machines of the 4MOTION version produce an output of 225 kW (305 PS) – enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and for a top speed of 160 km/h.
The ID. family is growing: A long wheelbase and an extra 30 centimetres of length make for plenty of room for passengers
The 4.88-metre ID.6 uses the architecture of Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), partitioning the areas for people and technology innovatively and to the benefit of passengers. With the aid of an additional 30 centimetres in length compared with the ID.4, the ID.6 accommodates a third row of seats. The features of the ID.6 include 19”-21” rims, a second row of seats that can be adjusted longitudinally and a large panoramic glass roof. A panoramic sunroof that opens is available as an optional extra.
Contemporary operating concept typical of ID.
The e-SUV comes without any physical buttons and switches. The operating concept uses a 12-inch display with a touchscreen – and the “Hello ID.” voice control. The innovative ID. Light – a narrow strip light below the windscreen – provides the driver with intuitive support. An augmented reality head-up display is available as an optional extra, which merges some notifications with reality – for example, turn arrows from the navigation system are projected onto the correct lane on the road. The IQ.Drive assistance systems make driving even more relaxed; notably Travel Assist. The software and hardware of the ID.6 have an innovative architectural design, allowing customers to update their cars after purchase.
Volkswagen’s ACCELERATE strategy: The future of mobility is electric
Volkswagen is approaching the future-oriented topics of digitalisation, new business models and autonomous driving with determination. With the ID. family, a new stand-alone product range, Volkswagen recently expanded the brand’s traditional product portfolio. After the compact ID.3 and the SUV ID.4, the ID.6 is the third fully electric model. With the ID.6, Volkswagen will now be represented in the SUV sector, currently experiencing a global boom.
The ID.6 will be produced in the two plants Anting and Foshang in China, and will only be available on the Chinese market in these two variants. As part of the brand’s ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen is expediting the electrification offensive on the way to becoming the global leader in e-mobility. The foundation of which is the introduction of a new MEB car each year, aiming to achieve high volumes and cover all sectors. This emphasises the brand’s target of at least 70 percent of cars sold in Europe being electric by 2030; and at least 50 percent in North America and China.
