Volkswagen planning ID.3-based small electrical SUV spinoff

Volkswagen will introduce a small electrical SUV to fit in beneath the mid-sized ID.4, which can doubtlessly be referred to as the ID.3 X.

Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles CEO and Volkswagen AG board member Thomas Schäfer mentioned the model is “wanting into making a compact SUV primarily based on the ID.3″ on his LinkedIn.

It’s due earlier than 2026, and can function dramatically completely different styling to the ID.3 – in a lot the identical method the equally sized Golf and T-Roc differ from one another. That is in accordance with an interview he gave to Autocar.

An electrical small SUV would give the model a rival to the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electrical and Kia Niro EV, plus the BYD Atto 3.

Whereas Volkswagen will introduce a brand new electrical car structure later this decade, its current MEB underpinnings – used within the ID.3 and ID.4, amongst others – will obtain additional updates when it comes to vary, efficiency and options.

The ID.3 X title hasn’t been locked in, however Autocar experiences Volkswagen is seeking to simplify its naming construction as its EV line-up continues to broaden.

The X suffix could possibly be used for all SUV fashions transferring ahead, whereas Volkswagen can also be weighing methods to steadiness its current, well-known combustion-engine car names and its new ID names.

“The Golf title particularly has big worth. However on the identical time, the ID model has gained big momentum. The popularity it receives at [customer] clinics, individuals completely perceive what we’re speaking about,” mentioned Mr Schäfer.

“So to alter the title to one thing fully completely different doesn’t make sense.

“We’re actually understanding now for the subsequent ten years how we see the names growing. That is taking place proper now, this technique of what we do with the title – Golf, Polo or no matter – what will we do to remodel key names otherwise.”

The upcoming small crossover’s hatchback counterpart – the ID.3, which debuted in 2019 – may even obtain an replace in 2023, sooner than had been deliberate. That is the model confirmed to return to Australia.

“We’ve listened very rigorously to the ID.3 neighborhood, and we’re bringing ahead the facelift of our first MEB [platform] mannequin to 2023,” he mentioned.

“The brand new Volkswagen ID 3 is taking a major and noticeable leap ahead when it comes to high quality, supplies and system stability.”

The comment about system stability seems to be a nod to the well-publicised software program points that plagued the ID.3. Certainly, Volkswagen’s Cariad software program division continues to wrestle, and has been accountable for the delays of upcoming merchandise just like the Porsche Macan EV.

The ID.3 might additionally acquire push-button steering wheel controls, with Mr Schäfer asserting this week Volkswagen was dropping its controversial touch-capacitive steering controls.

The choice got here from a just lately established Buyer Focus Board Committee.

Nonetheless deliberate to fit in beneath the ID.3 and ID.3 X are a pair of reasonably priced EVs set to open at round £20,000 (A$35,847). Improvement of those is being led by Seat and Cupra.

These will function electrical counterparts to the Polo and T-Cross, and shall be two of the ten EVs the model plans to launch by 2026 – although this quantity contains facelifts of current autos such because the ID.3.

Whereas new EV fashions proliferate by way of the Volkswagen line-up, the model’s CEO says it’s “shedding outdated habits” and can concentrate on core fashions sooner or later.

That features “noticeably simplifying our mannequin vary and packages over the subsequent ten years”, suggesting some combustion-powered fashions might chew the mud.