Volkswagen has previewed the China-bound ID. Aero sedan in a series of new sketches, but has confirmed that the “corresponding production model” will make its way to both Europe and North America by 2024.
The first fully-electric limousine to be introduced to the Chinese market will be officially presented next week on Monday 27 June, with a production example set to go on-sale in late 2023. Its North American equivalent, meanwhile, will be presented in 2023 ahead of a planned release the following year. Production of the North American ID. Aero will be run from Volkswagen’s Emden facility in Germany, at which the brand already builds the ID. 4 and the Golf GTE.
Volkswagen ID. Aero
The latest addition to Volkswagen’s ‘Accelerate’ electrification strategy, the ID. Aero, which is said to stand almost 17 feet in length, will become the largest production model yet built on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB), hitherto showcased by the more compact ID.4 and ID. 3. It is unlikely to be the last either, with VW itself claiming that the limousine is just one model that will “accelerate its electric offensive” within the “high-volume upper-middle class segment.” Don’t forget that the IZ. Space Vizzion – which could be called ID. 7 Tourer – is also expected to land by 2023.
Read more: VW’s new EV station wagon could be the ID.7 Tourer
Unsurprisingly, the “flowing and precise” design heavily promotes the ID family ‘face’ at the front – including a low nose and the VW logo splitting a full-width lightbar – as well as the limousine’s aerodynamic capabilities. It’s also likely that the production model will feature the recently upgraded MEB architecture, which features a new battery and motor system that’s potentially capable of delivering upwards of 700 km on one charge. The maximum charge rate has also been upped from 150 kW to 200 kW, meaning a 10-80 per cent top-up could take less than 30 minutes.
Potential rivals for a production model of the ID. Aero include Hyundai’s recently teased IONIQ 6, an evolved example of the Korean brand’s ‘Prophecy’ concept that’s scheduled for launch before the end of the year.
