Volkswagen ID. Code concept previews new electric cars for China
24/04/2024 22:00
Volkswagen is preparing a wave of new electric cars exclusive to China, the world’s largest car market – which will take cues from this futuristic concept.
Volkswagen has unveiled a radical new electric-car concept intended to preview a range of upcoming models exclusive to the Chinese market – the ID. Code.
A showroom version of the ID. Code coupe-styled SUV concept will be among five new electric Volkswagens planned solely for the Chinese market by 2027 – out of a total of 16 electric VW ID electric cars planned to be in global showrooms by the end of the decade.
Volkswagen is set to roll out a new ‘ID.UX’ electric sub-brand in China, planned to launch with the ID.Unyx later this year, a rebadged version of the Cupra Tavascan SUV due in Australia in 2025.
It intends to launch at least four budget-priced electric cars from 2026 on a new China Main Platform developed in-house, and has signed a deal with Chinese electric-car start-up Xpeng to develop two larger, more expensive models on a new architecture.
The ID. Code is larger than other Volkswagen ID electric vehicles sold in Europe, with closed-off front-end styling, sharper LED lights and pronounced wheel arches.
It is said to be a “large … SUV” with four seats, and is claimed to be capable of Level 4 autonomous driving, powered by lidar sensors and radars.
Autocar reports Volkswagen theorises the headlight and tail-light animations could be changed every three months through downloadable software updates to keep the car’s design fresh.
There is said to be a digital video game-style ‘avatar’ projected the driver’s window, which shows information on traffic and weather conditions when the driver approaches with the key.
Inside, overseas media report the front seats can rotate 180 degrees when the car is autonomous mode.
The digital avatar also appears in augmented reality on the windscreen, while screens stretch across the dashboard, and a tablet mounted to the centre console.
Volkswagen says the ID. Code concept “was developed specifically for customers in China,” and the showroom version is not planned for export markets including Europe, according to Autocar.
The German car giant has been the top-selling car maker in China for at least 14 years – when public new-vehicle sales data for what is now the world’s largest car market became available – but was overtaken by BYD last year.
It has historically topped the Chinese new-car sales charts with petrol cars, but is yet to gain a foothold in the country’s electric-car market, and remains a niche competitor.
The post Volkswagen ID. Code concept previews new electric cars for China appeared first on Drive.
