VW unveils ID.5 and GTX electric SUVs, but no immediate plans for Australia

Volkswagen has officially unveiled the long-awaited ID.5 electric SUV, the follow up to the company’s already popular EVs sch as the ID.3 electric hatch and ID.4 electric CUV.

Unfortunately, however, a Volkswagen spokesperson has also confirmed that there are “no plans at this stage” to bring the ID.5s to Australia, saying that “production of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) are still prioritised for markets with emissions regulations and penalties for not meeting them”.

VW has repeatedly criticised the Australian government for its failure to introduce vehicle emission standards, saying the country risks becoming a dumping ground for dirty vehicles because of it.

The German car maker is pinning a lot on the ID.5, which forms part of its “Accelerate” brand strategy” which “moves the electrification of its new car fleet forward and into a new market segment”.

The new E-SUV coupe ID.5 and ID.5 GTX are essentially the “coupe” versions of the ID.4 crossover (CUV) and are billed as the company’s new long-range top models in the ID. family.

The entry-level ID.5 is powered by a single rear-wheel motor delivering output of with a choice of 172-horsepower and 201-horsepower motors and a 77kWh battery pack which provides a range of up to 520-kilometres. The standard ID.5 offers acceleration of 0-100km/h in 10.4-seconds and 8.4-seconds, respectively, depending on motor choice.

The premium ID.5 GTX boast dual-motor all-wheel drive, bringing total power to 220kW and 295-horsepower, cutting the 0-100km/h acceleration time down to 6.3-seconds, but also dropping the range to around 497-kilometres.

Both the ID.5 and ID.5 GTX match the ID.4’s 135kW maximum charging rate which means they can be topped up to 80% in under 30 minutes.

Given that the ID.5 looks almost exactly like the ID.4, some differences were necessary, such as the swooping roofline which has improved the car’s aerodynamics as compared to the straight-backed ID.4.

Expected to arrive at dealers in the UK and Europe next year, the new ID.5s will measure in length at 4599 mm long and 4582 mm respectively, with only 12mm less headroom than the ID.4, though its boot space has increased from 543-litres to 549-litres.

The ID.5 will also reach dealerships next year with the new ID. software version 3.0 which helps improve charging performance and voice control.

“The ID.5 is electric, sporty and elegant,” said Ralf Brandstätter, brand CEO. “Our premium SUV coupé with all-electric drive marks another milestone in our Accelerate strategy. It offers locally carbon-neutral driving enjoyment for a discerning customer group. We are breaking into a completely new market segment with this model.”

Manufactured at Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant in Germany the ID.5 and ID.5 GTX are billed as “carbon-neutral upon handover to the customer” and when charged using 100% green electricity “are already virtually climate-neutral.”

Unfortunately, a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson who spoke to CarExpert confirmed that there are “no plans at this stage” to bring either the ID.5 or ID.5 GTX to Australia, given that “production of BEVs are still prioritised for markets with emissions regulations and penalties for not meeting them”.

See also: The Buzz: VW electric Kombi gatecrashes launch of ID.5 electric crossover