Volkswagen has yet to reveal what the people are (presumably) waiting
for: the first ID production vehicle. Mind you, we are getting closer to that
moment as VW will open reservations for the ID hatchback on May 8. That doesn’t
mean the car will debut next month, though, as VW will most likely unveil the
EV at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Until then, we can
now bring you the latest and clearest set of spy photos yet of the electric car
which may or may not be called ID Neo — another rumored name is ID3. Either
way, the ID will be the brand’s first model developed from the ground up as an
all-electric vehicle based on the MEB modular architecture.
The new photos
taken in northern Sweden during winter testing give us the best look at the
car’s LED matrix headlights and LED taillights which are in final production
specification. The taillamps remind of the Golf while the headlamps have a
Passat vibe about them. The car’s proportions are very similar to the Seat
El-Born Concept — which is normal since said study
previews the VW ID’s sister car. Expect the ID to be slightly longer than the
upcoming VW Golf Mk8, itself longer than the current Golf. Thanks to that, the
minivan shape, and the more efficient packaging allowed by the MEB platform,
the ID will offer Passat levels of interior space.
Christian Senger,
VW’s Head of Product Line for E-Mobility, recently told Auto Express the ID
would offer three battery configurations. The entry-level 48 kWh version will
enable a WLTP driving range of 330 km while the mid-spec ID model
will be able to drive for around 450 km on a single charge. As for
the 111 kWh top model, it will offer a driving range of around 550
km. All versions will feature a rear-mounted 168 hp electric motor
driving the rear wheels. The base VW ID version is expected to start at just
under € 30,000 (US$ 33,800).
