All-electric ‘people’s car’ coming from VW: report

VOLKSWAGEN CEO Ralf Brandstatter has revealed the brand is working on a series of new compact and light battery-electric (BEV) vehicles set to be underpinned by the same MEB modular platform as the established ID.3 and ID.4.

In a report published last week by Autocar, Mr Brandstatter said concept vehicles aimed specifically at the light and compact segments were already in the works as Volkswagen recognised the inevitable demand coming.

“Of course, we have to take into account that lower segments will in the future be demanding EVs, and we’re preparing concepts,” he said.

Expected to be adorned with ID.1 and ID.2 badges respectively, the new entry-level offerings will likely sit alongside the traditionally powered Polo and T-Cross at the bottom of the Volkswagen range and draw their power from a sub-45kWh battery, but not before 2023.

According to the report, Volkswagen is targeting a £17,800-£22,200 ($A32,055-$A39,979) price bracket for the new EVs with a program also underway with various Chinese joint-venture partners to offer “highly affordable” electric cars in the world’s biggest EV market.

Skoda and Seat also look set to benefit and gain their own respective derivatives of the ID.1 and ID.2, with Mr Brandstatter refusing to give specifics, but standing by the versatility of the MEB platform.

“MEB is a very versatile platform,” he said.

That versatility looks set to extend to a model range as wide as, or potentially even wider than that of the MQB platform (internal combustion engines) with a compact sportscar, performance flagship (ID.R), coupe-SUV (ID.5), full-sized saloon (ID.6) and even a van (ID.Buzz) all on the cards.

“Year by year, we will inform you which kind of cars are possible,” Mr Brandstatter said.

For the time being though all eyes will be on the impending global launch of the ID.4 SUV, a vehicle boasting a claimed range of up to 520km and 150kW of power.

According to Volkswagen e-mobility boss Thomas Ulbrich, the ID.4 is the “next milestone” in Volkswagen’s electric transformation.

“The ID.4 stands for carbon-neutral mobility and will mobilise millions, because it's a real global car,” he said.

“It will quickly become a top model, not in a niche, because the market segment is becoming more and more important.

“There are definitely regional preferences, so there will be some country-specific adjustments to the ID.4 depending on the region.”

At this stage it still remains unclear when the ID.4 will reach local shores however Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) has previously earmarked a 2022 rollout for the ID. sub-brand as a whole with the ID.4 a likely contender to kick things off.

VGA has sold 32,695 new vehicles so far this year ending October, marking an even 22 per cent sales decline year-on-year.