Concept will preview a sub-£17k electric supermini with a range of 130-150 miles
Volkswagen will reveal a concept for its new entry-level ID electric model this year, with the car set to be built on a new variant of the MEB platform. The VW Group has invested heavily in the electric MEB architecture, which will underpin the planned ID range as well as models from sibling brands Audi, Seat and Skoda. The Golf-sized ID 3 hatch will go on sale this summer, followed later in the year by the production version of the ID Crozz SUV, which is likely to carry the ID 4 badge.
While developing those models, the VW Group has also been working on a sub-€20,000 (£17,000) entry-level hatch, known internally as the ID Entry. The firm is still developing the technology and build processes to achieve that target price but hinted at the car’s design shortly before the end of last year with an image on a Christmas card that was sent to journalists.
It showed the silhouette of a one-box car with a full-width tail-light graphic and a design looking like a slimmed-down version of the ID 3.
The new Entry ID is understood to use a more cost-effective version of the MEB platform, which will also be used for a range of similarly positioned electric models from a number of VW Group brands, including Skoda, Seat and the new, China-only Jetta marque.
Details of the new platform remain scarce, although VW’s chief operating officer, Ralf Brandstätter, said he expects the battery in the ID Entry to give the car a range of between 130 and 150 miles.
“It’s a small car that people will use for shorter distances,” he said. “The average commute is under 25km [15.5 miles] so you don’t need a big range. We expect it will be bought as the second or third car.”
It’s understood that the ID Entry will fit between the recently facelifted e-Up and Polo in terms of size, at around 3800mm long. Despite this, the inherent packaging advantages of its platform are said to provide it with significantly more interior space than the Polo and approaching that of the new Mk8 Golf.
VW has said it will launch a total of 34 new models this year. They will include the ID 3 and ID 4, six other electrified machines and 12 SUVs. The line-up will include GTI, GTD, GTE and R variants of the new Golf.
ID Entry will draw on the ID 3’s looks and be smaller than the Polo.
Christmas card image hints at the ID Entry.
VW’s ID 4 is being readied for a launch later this year.
