Volkswagen to unveil three electric concept cars at the Shanghai Motor Show: ID. Aura, ID. Era and ID. Evo

Volkswagen will debut not one, not two, but three brand-new 100% electric concept cars at the Shanghai Motor Show: ID. Aura, ID. Era and ID. Evo. Each prototype has been created alongside one of the three joint ventures the Volkswagen Group operates in China - FAW-VW, SAIC-VW and Volkswagen Anhui, respectively.

“In China, for China”: a China-only push

This trio signals the opening move in Volkswagen’s new “In China, for China” offensive, aimed squarely at the world’s largest car market. That is why you should not expect these models to appear in Europe.

The goal is straightforward: to win back market leadership in China, which it has lost to BYD, and to build momentum in a segment where today’s ID. models have struggled to establish themselves. By 2027, Volkswagen says it will introduce more than 30 models in China, with more than 20 of them classed as NEVs (New Energy Vehicles) - meaning electric or hybrid - the formats that are selling best.

The three concepts: ID. Aura, ID. Era and ID. Evo

Volkswagen ID. Aura (FAW-Volkswagen): compact saloon on CMP

The smallest of the three is the ID. Aura from FAW-Volkswagen. This three-box saloon is aimed at the compact family-car segment and serves as the first showcase for the new CMP (Compact Main Platform), developed specifically for the Chinese market.

Volkswagen is also underlining its technology focus with Level 2++ automated driving and an AI (artificial intelligence) virtual assistant, delivered through an interface designed to feel closer to a smartphone experience.

Volkswagen ID. Era (SAIC-Volkswagen): seven-seat SUV with range extender

Created with SAIC, the Volkswagen ID. Era is a large SUV with three rows of seats and room for seven occupants.

It is driven 100% electrically, but it also features a combustion-powered range extender. As a result, its 300 km of electric range could become more than 1000 km.

Volkswagen ID. Evo (Volkswagen Anhui): a more emotional large SUV

Developed by Volkswagen Anhui, the ID. Evo is positioned as the most emotional of the trio and is aimed at a younger audience.

It is the first large SUV from the ID. UNYX sub-brand, created specifically for China. It is built on an 800 V platform and brings in a new electronic architecture, including advanced digital services, over-the-air updates and a more immersive user experience.

Local platform, global ambition

According to Volkswagen Chief Executive Thomas Schäfer, the prototypes being revealed tomorrow in Shanghai are the product of investment in a new locally led development strategy.

The new technology centre in Hefei is intended to cut the development cycle to just 34 months, speeding up the rollout of new models tailored to Chinese realities.

Stefan Mecha, who leads the brand in China, highlights the need to offer clearly differentiated propositions for different types of customer. Thomas Ulbrich, CEO of the Volkswagen China Technology Center, adds that these solutions come from a complete adaptation to local customers’ technical and cultural needs.

The design language, while distinct across the three concepts, still maintains the brand’s identity. All of them follow the line first shown by the ID. CODE at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show, but tuned to each joint venture - the brand’s DNA remains intact, yet the accent is increasingly Chinese.