Volkswagen has unveiled the ID. Aero concept, a vehicle that may well provide a preview of the next-generation electric VW Passat and which is Volkswagen's first electric saloon concept.
The eventual production version of the car that will be based on the ID. Aero concept will, Volkswagen said, go into production in 2023, first in China and slightly later in Europe, with sales beginning either in late 2023 or early 2024.
Family resemblance
Like the other cars in VW's ID. line-up, the ID. Aero is based on the group's modular MEB electric platform. This gives it short overhangs, a long wheelbase and a roomy interior. At a little under five metres long and with its roof sloping towards the rear, it's an aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient of 0.23 - the same as that of the slippery Tesla Model 3.
Other design cues are drawn from its ID. siblings with a similar light bar running between the LED matrix headlights, a prominent VW badge and a lower honeycomb grille to provide airflow to the electric powertrain and brakes. The rear-end treatment isn't dissimilar either with another light bar and honeycomb elements. Along the side, old-fashioned door handles have been replaced with illuminated touch surfaces, which, like the tapering roofline and smooth shape, help to reduce drag, thus improving efficiency and range.
Giving the ID. Aero a slightly raised stance compared to a traditional saloon such as the outgoing Passat are both the underfloor batteries (mounted skateboard-style under the floor) and the large 22-inch two-tone turbine-design alloy wheels.
Powering the ID. Aero is a 77kWh battery pack, which, VW says, gives the concept a WLTP range of up to 620km. Although the company hasn't given any indication as to the arrangement of electric motors, because of the MEB platform, both single- and dual-motor versions are possible.
VW's next global car
Commenting on the reveal, Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said:
"With the ID. Aero show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. family. A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kilometres, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior."
Referring to Volkswagen's strategy to significantly increase the size and importance of its EV offering, Brandstätter continued:
"With our Accelerate strategy, we are intensively driving forward the electrification of our model range. Following the ID.4, this model will be our next global car for Europe, China and the US."
Importance of China
The eventual production version of the ID. Aero will be VW's fourth electric car in China, following on from the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 with which we're familiar in Europe and the ID.6, an SUV bigger than the ID.4 which is only sold in China. China is a particularly important market for Volkswagen and the firm hopes, in the coming years, to become the country's largest supplier of electric vehicles. Supporting this goal will be the production version of the ID. Aero, two versions of which will be built by VW's local joint ventures - FAW Automotive and SAIC, the latter of which also owns MG Motor.