Volkswagen has unveiled a “close-to-production version” of the ID. Aero, and confirmed that electric range could be as high as 620 km when the brand’s first fully-electric sedan available globally goes on sale.
Volkswagen ID.Aero
Previewed with a series of sketches at the end of last week, the ID. Aero, first teased as the ‘ID. Vizzion’ concept back in 2018, is scheduled for launch first in China in late 2023 ahead of a European and North American production model making its debut for 2024. As the next step in its ‘ACCELERATE’ electrification strategy, the Aero will thus become the fifth electric model in VW’s electric ‘ID’ family to go on sale in Europe and North America, following the ID. 3, the ID. 4, the ID. 5 and the ID. Buzz (a China-bespoke ID. 6 SUV was also launched last year).
Volkswagen ID.Aero
Said to closely resemble its production counterpart, the ID. Aero, at “almost five metres” in length, is the longest model to date to sit atop VW’s EV-dedicated MEB platform, the brand having prioritized “generous space in the interior” as well as its aerodynamic principles. Featuring the established ‘ID face,’ including the low nose, honeycomb faux grille and VW logo split by a full-width lightbar, the Aero also features a downward-sloping roofline, short overhangs, and “illuminated touch surfaces” in-place of conventional door handles for an impressive drag co-efficient of just 0.23, the lowest of any production VW yet. The extended wheelbase, said to stretch up to 3,000 mm, will also accept bespoke, 22-inch wheels “designed in the style of a turbine” as standard.
The ID. Aero also boasts a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery, enough, together with the aerodynamic properties, for a range of up to 620 km. A 52 kWh option has also been mooted, though further details have not been provided. Similarly, power options mated with the battery have also not been confirmed, though like the ID. 4 and ID. 5 before it, it is expected that the Aero will feature a choice of either single-motor, rear-wheel drive, or twin-electric motor and all-wheel drive, with power outputs speculated to range between 180 hp and 300 hp.
Read more: VW’s new EV station wagon could be the ID.7 Tourer
“With the ID. AERO show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. Family,” explains Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter. “A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 km, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior.
“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.”
Following the 2023 and 2024 global launches of the ID. Aero, a sister station wagon – recently teased to be named the ‘ID. 7 Tourer’ – could arrive by 2025. VW has also re-stated commitment to becoming the leading supplier of sustainable vehicles in China, with the brand targeting at least every second model sold in the region to be an electric vehicle by 2030.
