Volkswagen has revealed its largest ID. electric vehicle yet, the ID.6 three-row electric SUV.
Intended only for Chinese consumption for now, the ID.6 will be available in two distinct versions built by each of Volkswagen’s Chinese joint ventures: the ID.6 X, built by FAW-VW, and the ID.6 Crozz, built by SAIC-VW.
Based on the MEB electric platform, the Tesla Model Y-rivalling ID.6 will be available with both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-ups.
There are three power outputs on offer: 132kW, 150kW or 225kW, with torque ranging from 220Nm to 310Nm.
Volkswagen claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.6 seconds with the most powerful powertrain in sleeker ID.6 Crozz guise.
Range is between 436km and 588km on the more lenient NEDC standard, based on the choice between either a 58kWh or 77kWh battery pack.
There’s a similarly minimalistic cabin to the ID.4, with a large infotainment screen, head-up display and digital instrument cluster.
The ID.6 measures 4876mm long, 1848mm wide and 1680mm tall, 175mm longer than a Tiguan Allspace and 291mm longer than the related ID.4.
The wheelbase measures 2965mm, 200mm longer than that of the ID.4.
It will offer three rows of seating for passengers, still relatively uncommon in the burgeoning electric vehicle market.
There are larger (Tesla Model X, NIO ES8) and more luxurious (Mercedes-Benz EQB) three-row EV crossovers but few direct rivals for the ID.6 beyond the Model Y, at least for now.
The ID.6 will slot above the small, Golf-sized ID.3 and mid-sized ID.4 crossover in an electric vehicle range that’s rapidly running out of available numbers.
Volkswagen Group Australia has prioritised the ID.4 over the ID.3, and it’s set for a launch in 2023 ahead of the ID.3.
Recent reports suggest there are ID.1 and ID.2 city cars in the work, which will be at a lower price point than the existing ID.3 small hatch and ID.4 mid-sized SUV.
There’s also a modern-day electric Kombi coming based on the ID. Buzz concept, which could wear the ID.7 nameplate, plus a Passat-sized sedan and wagon.
The ID.4 will be getting a high performance GTX variant, Volkswagen’s new badge for sporty electric models.
By 2030, Volkswagen plans for 50 percent of sales in China, its largest market, to be electric only.
It’s also aiming for 70 per cent of sales in its second biggest market, Europe, to be EV-only by that year.
