Volkswagen planning ID.3-based small electrical SUV spinoff

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

Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles CEO and Volkswagen AG board member Thomas Schäfer mentioned the model is “trying 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 approach the equally sized Golf and T-Roc differ from one another. That is in line 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 automobile 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 identify hasn’t been locked in, however Autocar studies Volkswagen is seeking to simplify its naming construction as its EV line-up continues to develop.

The X suffix may very well be used for all SUV fashions transferring ahead, whereas Volkswagen can also be weighing how one can stability its current, well-known combustion-engine automobile names and its new ID names.

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

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

“We’re actually figuring out now for the subsequent ten years how we see the names growing. That is occurring proper now, this technique of what we do with the identify – Golf, Polo or no matter – what will we do to remodel key names in another way.”

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

“We’ve listened very rigorously to the ID.3 group, 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 battle, and has been chargeable for the delays of upcoming merchandise just like the Porsche Macan EV.

The ID.3 might additionally achieve push-button steering wheel controls, with Mr Schäfer saying 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 below the ID.3 and ID.3 X are a pair of inexpensive EVs set to open at round £20,000 (A$35,847). Growth 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 means of the Volkswagen line-up, the model’s CEO says it’s “shedding outdated habits” and can give attention to 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 chunk the mud.