Volkswagen is offering a first look at what is likely to become the all-electric replacement for the familiar Passat sedan — though it has yet to confirm whether the ID.Aero will eventually make it to the SUV-crazed U.S. market.
The ID.Aero is one of as many as 50 all-electric vehicles the Volkswagen Group will launch through its various brands by mid-decade, part of a more than $100 billion electrification program. For now, it’s just a concept, but a production version isn’t far behind, with VW confirming the ID.Aero will reach showrooms in China during the second half of 2023.
“With the ID.Aero show car, we are giving a preview of the next member of the VW electric vehicle family,” said VW brand CEO Ralf Brandstätter. “With our ACCELERATE strategy, we are driving the electrification of our model range at full speed. After the ID.4, this model will be our next world car. “
Common architecture
Like the ID.4 SUV, the ID.Aero rides atop Volkswagen’s MEB architecture, an all-electric platform that places its batteries and motors below the load floor. That frees up space where a traditional internal combustion engine would go — something apparent when looking at the concept’s relatively short hood. That will yield what VW describes as “an exceptionally spacious interior,” much larger than might otherwise be expected from a vehicle that measures about five meters, or 190 inches, nose-to-tail.
The basic design borrows from styling cues we first saw on the ID.4, including the headlight and grille layout, the black roof and the touch-sensitive door handles. The concept rides on 22-inch wheels, though it’s questionable whether they’ll carry over into production.
But expect VW to pay equal attention to the aerodynamics for the retail model. In concept form, the ID.Aero has a very low drag coefficient of 0.23. Cutting wind resistance is critical to ensure maximum range and performance.
Smaller pack, longer range
The concept — and likely the production version — features a moderate-sized 77 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. (By comparison, ID.4 is powered by a 82 kilowatt-hour pack.) But VW claims that’s enough to yield about 385 miles per charge. That’s based on the global WLTP test cycle. Typically, EPA numbers come in about 20% lower for the U.S. market. That would mean somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 miles, a bit better than the maximum 275-mile range of the ID.4.
The German automaker isn’t offering any details about the drivetrain in the ID.Aero but it’s a safe bet the sedan will share what’s available in the electric SUV. The ID.4 initially launched with a single, rear-mounted motor making 201 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque — and capable of launching from 0 to 60 in under 7.5 seconds.
The ID.4 AWD added a second motor up front, boosting horsepower to 295 and torque to 339. That’s enough to not only cut 0-60 times to 5.4 seconds but also deliver up to 2,700 pounds of towing capacity.
China, Europe — and maybe the U.S.
The initial version of the Volkswagen ID.Aero will be produced locally for the Chinese market, with a launch date of sometime during the second half of 2023. A European version will follow later next year and be produced in Emden, Germany.
For now, the automaker isn’t saying anything about plans for the U.S. It’s been migrating away from sedans and coupes — as have most competitors — to reflect the shift to SUVs and CUVs. But as the all-electric replacement for the gas-powered Passat, the ID.Aero seems quite likely to eventually make an appearance in the States, as well, according to industry analysts. If so, we should expect it to show up before mid-decade.
In the U.S., it would compete against products like the Tesla Model 3, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 set to launch next year.
