Volkswagen introduces new electric SUV in China

Volkswagen has launched the ID Era 8X, an electric SUV with an extended range, in China. The vehicle is designed specifically for the Chinese market and includes a gasoline engine as a backup generator to extend its range.

Company faces challenges in Europe

Volkswagen is dealing with challenges in Europe, where it plans to cut about 100,000 jobs, reduce its vehicle range by half, and potentially close four German plants within the next eight years. The ID Era 8X is part of the "In China, For China" strategy, developed in partnership with SAIC-Volkswagen.

Vehicle specifications and design

The ID Era 8X is a large 5-seater family SUV, approximately 5.02 meters long and nearly 2 meters wide. It uses an 800-volt architecture and an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) system, where the wheels are driven by one or two electric motors, and a gasoline engine serves as a generator.

Battery options and performance

Two battery options are available: a 51.1 kWh battery or a 65.2 kWh battery. In rear-wheel drive, the electric motor develops up to 295 hp, while the two-motor versions offer up to 496 hp and all-wheel drive. The ID Era 8X is only sold with this extended-range mechanism, without a 100% electric variant.

Range capabilities

With the 51.1 kWh battery, the ID Era 8X claims an electric range of around 340 to 373 km on the Chinese CLTC cycle. The 65.2 kWh battery extends this distance up to 451 km in electric mode. When using the extended-range mechanism, the combined range reaches up to 1,602 km on the CLTC cycle.

Interior features and technology

The interior of the ID Era 8X includes two 15.6-inch screens, a digital instrumentation cluster, a head-up display, a two-spoke steering wheel, a floating center console, and wireless phone chargers. It also includes up to 23 speakers, a 12-liter fridge that can heat or cool, 34 storage spaces, and a trunk that can reach 1,939 liters with folded seats.

Safety and driving assistance

The vehicle uses 77% high-strength steels and is equipped with 9 airbags. On the driving assistance side, it includes a system developed with Momenta, combining a 192-channel LiDAR and 26 sensors to offer an advanced assisted driving system of type level 2++ on highways and in urban environments.

Pricing and availability

The Pro entry-level version starts at 226,800 yuan, with a 51.1 kWh battery and a 295 hp rear motor. The Max two-motor version with 496 hp starts at 249,800 yuan, while the Max Long Range and Ultra Long Range versions are priced at 269,800 yuan and 289,900 yuan, respectively. For a limited period, Volkswagen offers a discount of 20,000 yuan, placing the price range between 27,500 and 36,000 euros.

No immediate plans for European sales

For now, Volkswagen is not selling the ID Era 8X outside of China. Although an internal study is evaluating the possibility of exporting some Chinese models to Europe, the potential increase in costs due to customs duties remains a significant challenge.