Volkswagen is now several months into its electric ID series offensive with the popular ID.3 electric hatch and the ID.4 electric crossover SUV.
In essence both are electric versions of the German car maker’s two most popular vehicles: the Golf and the Tiguan.
While the successful e-Golf will be built no longer, Volkswagen has apparently overcome the niggling software issues of its ID.3 and has been rolling it out in Europe since September.
And while Volkswagen in Australia has said it will bring the ID.4 here first likely by early 2022, what will come after the VW ID.3 and VW ID.4?
According to VW CEO Ralf Brandstätter, who had a frank conversation with UK’s Autocar this week, there will be everything from a ID.1 mini car to an ID.7 electric version of the Kombi.
GTX ID.4 and VW ID.5 crossover
After the VW ID.4, a high-performance GTX version of the ID series will also be available overseas in the first half of 2021, followed closely by an ID.5 coupé.
The VW ID.5 is a coupé version of the VW ID.4, and will be available as a VW ID.5 GTX right from the start. Volkswagen will concentrate fully on the electric SUV at the beginning of 2021, with quite a number of versions.
In China, VW’s two joint ventures with FAW and SAIC will produce the ID.4 in two local variants, namely the ID.4 Crozz and the ID.4 X respectively.
The VW ID.7 electric Kombi is coming in 2022
From 2022 we will see the VW ID.7, which is essentially an electric Kombi. First unveiled by Volkswagen as the ID Buzz concept in 2017, it promises to be the German car maker’s electric transporter for the future.
It will pack an 82kWh battery but Brandstätter told Autocar that because of its aerodynamics, it will likely have a driving range of around 400km.
The ID.7 will be offered in a seven-seater version as well as a commercial variant. Both a long and short wheelbase will be offered with either a single rear motor or dual motors for all-wheel drive.
We imagine that given the popularity of the original Kombi in Ausrtalia it will be warmly welcomed locally.
Volkswagen: VW ID.6 to launch in 2023
The ID.6 will be offered in both sedan and wagon variants. The sedan version was first previewed as the ID Vizzion, and the wagon as the VW ID Space Vizzion concept (it is now known internally as the Aero B). Both will also be offered in either in single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive variants.
According to Brandstätter, there will also be a high-performance range-topping GTX version on offer.
As reported by The Driven in November, the ID.6 is expected to launch in 2023.
VW ID.1 and VW ID.2 “lite” electric mini cars
Ralf Brandstätter kept most of the details of a possible ID.1 and ID.2 ot himself, but confirmed compact MEB platform is currently being developed that could birth electric versions of the VW Polo and T-Cross.
Bringing electric mobility to the lower end of the market, it is thought that the VW ID.2 may launch from 2023 and a VW ID.1 would follow soon after. These will effectively replace the e-Up! that is currently available overseas, and may be made in partnership with Chinese partners JAC, SAIC and BAIC to bring “highly affordable” electric cars to the market.
Volkswagen e-Buggy on hold
Unfortunately, Brandstätter confirmed the ID Buggy that we gushed over in 2019 has been put on hold.
“No, we won’t do this car. We had a partner, but in the end it didn’t work out,” he told Autocar, referring to a planned partnership with German company e.Go which has filed for bankrupty after sales of its e.Go Life car proved disappointing.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.