Latest news with #ID2
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
VW is priming TEN new cars – here's everything we know
Close Volkswagen is preparing for one of the most comprehensive product offensives in its 87-year history, with 10 new electric and combustion-engined models due to be launched over the next three years as it reshapes its core line-up. Against a backdrop of stalled sales, deep cost cuts and workforce layoffs at home, the aim of VW's reinvention is to propel the German company back to its former strength, profitability and global competitiveness. At the heart of this renewed push are the ID 1, ID 2 and ID 2X, the new front-wheel-drive, entry-level electric cars that have been conceived as electric successors to the Up, Polo and T-Cross. Alongside this new trio, the German company will look to bring to market a wider range of electric cars – such as a Golf EV – while upgrading its current crop of combustionengined best-sellers as part of a renewed push for its ICE models. A new electric entry point Seen by VW as probably the most vital of all its upcoming models, especially in terms of mass EV adoption, is the ID 1. Previewed by the ID Every1 concept earlier this year, the new entry-level model has been billed by VW CEO Thomas Schäfer as 'the last piece of the puzzle' in the firm's electric transformation. 'This is the car the world has been waiting for,' he said at its unveiling in March. The production ID 1 is scheduled to hit the road in 2027 and will be priced from £17,000, which will position it as a premium rival to the cheapest EVs currently on sale, such as the £16,000 Leapmotor T03 and £15,000 Dacia Spring. The arrival of a 3880mm-long, five-door hatchback will also give VW a foot in an increasingly popular market segment that is expected to experience robust growth in future years with the imminent arrival of models from 'legacy' brands, such as the Renault Twingo. Key to the ID 1's low price is MEB Entry, a new cost-optimised platform developed specifically for compact electric models. This will be used first by the ID 2, which is set to be fully revealed at the Munich motor show in September. Unlike the MEB platform used by VW's existing EVs, MEB Entry features a frontmounted electric motor in a layout designed exclusively to provide compact dimensions, claimed class-leading interior space and a luggage compartment with a lower fl oor and greater capacity than competitors. The ID 1 will be powered by a newly developed front-mounted electric motor developing 94bhp. It has been conceived to deliver a top speed of 81mph and offer at least 155 miles of range from a lithium-ironphosphate (LFP) battery of around 38kWh in capacity. It will also feature a relatively simple torsion-beam rear axle (based on that of the current Polo) and be VW's first model to feature a fundamentally new software architecture, developed through a partnership between VW's software division, Cariad, and American EV maker Rivian. The software's zonal structure, adapted from Rivian's R1 off-roader, is claimed to allow for faster updates, improved functionality and more flexible hardware integration than the system in use by today's VW models. VW design boss Andreas Mindt said the design of the ID 1 was conceived to project warmth and accessibility, drawing inspiration from both the Up and the Golf. 'We wanted to give it a friendly face – something that makes you smile even before you get in,' he told Autocar. 'That slightly cheeky expression at the front is intentional. It's a car with character, not just a functional object.' Push for affordability Before the ID 1 will come the slightly larger ID 2. The first car to be based on VW's new MEB Entry platform and the car that kick-starts the German firm's affordable EV push will be shown in production spec at the Munich show before going on sale early next year. It will be the base for what VW boss Schäfer has described as the wider Volkswagen Group's new Electric Urban Car Family, which will be made up of the larger ID 2X, Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq. The VW Group is planning a mass assault on the electric B-segment (which has gained life since the release of the Renault 5 earlier this year), with its cars set to start at less than £25,000 to undercut rivals such as the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric. Power outputs for the ID 2 are set to range from 158bhp to 187bhp, while a flagship GTI hot hatch is set to deliver in the region of 223bhp. It will offer a top-end range of 280 miles from a 56kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack. Inside, the ID 2 will feature a functional but spacious interior with both physical controls and a 12.9in central infotainment touchscreen. A year after the arrival of the hatchback, the raised ID 2X will go on sale. The model will be shown in concept guise for the first time at the Munich show. It will be near-identical to the ID 2 underneath but feature a higher ride height, more rugged design elements and increased ground clearance. The definitive naming of VW's three new entry-level electric models remains a closely guarded secret. However, insiders suggest they could forgo the ID 1, ID 2 and ID 2X names for a combination of the ID sub-brand label and VW's traditional models, such as ID Up, ID Polo and ID Cross. All change for larger ID EVs Away from new models, VW will update heavily its range of current cars. This will start next year with the brand's two best-selling EVs: the ID 3 hatchback and ID 4 SUV. Key to the upgrades will be a comprehensive makeover both inside and out, one that technical development boss Kai Grünitz said will be refl ective of the new range of smaller EVs to bring the whole lineup together while improving the user experience inside. This is part of a move to keep the pair fresh until deep into this decade, when replacements are due. The facelifted ID 3 is scheduled to be revealed during the second quarter of next year, while the ID 4 should arrive later in 2026. VW boss Schäfer said the new ID 4 in particular is 'really beautiful' and 'will be a completely different car – a huge step up.' He added: 'We felt it needed to fit in with the new design language going forward, since it is still our most important electric vehicle in numbers.' The new ID 4 is understood to be known internally as the 'electric Tiguan', hinting at a move to present the two similarly sized SUVs as siblings. The company has not confirmed that it will change the electric model's name, but Schäfer previously suggested that the Tiguan badge would always have a place in VW's portfolio - even as it goes all-electric. He said: 'We're not going to throw away the traditional, successful names that have carried us for so long, like Golf and Tiguan. Why would you let them go?' Above the ID 4, Autocar has been told Volkswagen has decided it will retire the ID 5 from its line-up. Launched in 2021 as a more sporting, coupéstyled sister model to the more upright ID 4, it was primarily aimed at the Chinese market but failed to gain traction there. In Europe, too, it has been overshadowed by the more practical ID 4. It was never offered for sale in the US market. Its planned cancellation, set to take effect in 2027, forms part of broader efforts to streamline the line-up and concentrate on highvolume models. 2028 to be a pivotal year Potentially one of the biggest years for VW's growth in sales of EVs will be 2028, when its most famous badge finally gets fully electrified. The electric Golf, currently under development at the company's Braunschweig R&D centre in Germany, will be the first VW model sold in the UK based on the company's new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). It will use an 800V electrical architecture and feature more advanced battery technology, faster charging and more advanced software functions, marking a signifi cant technological step forward from today's MEB-based models. Grünitz previously told Autocar that the real benefit of the new architecture was that it was 'highly flexible and highly updateable'. He added: 'With over-the-air updates, I can introduce new functionality to our customers even after they bought the car, without them needing to bring it in for a service. That means it's really the next step.' The electric Golf's design will be inspired by the incoming entry-level EVs, suggested design chief Mindt, while still building on the traditional and familiar Golf design traits. VW could also merge the Golf model name with the ID sub-brand, resulting in the car being called the ID Golf, although this has yet to be confirmed. Following the standard car, both GTI and R hot hatch variants will follow. The electric Golf is being developed in a joint programme with an electric version of the T-Roc, with both models set to be produced at VW's Wolfsburg plant. 'Our goal is to build the electric Golf on the new SSP platform there, along with the electric T-Roc,' confirmed VW CEO Schäfer. 'This will establish Wolfsburg as the capital of our new all-electric compact class.' The new SSP-based electric T-Roc will feature new styling, improved interior space and added digital functionality. Positioned above the upcoming ID 2X but below the ID 4 successor, it's expected to become one of VW's best-selling electric models in future years. Daniela Cavallo, chair of Volkswagen's General Works Council, said the electric Golf and T-Roc together 'represent a volume in excess of 500,000 units per year'. She added: 'The SSP models will be just as important to VW's future as the MQB has been.' ICE upgrades also inbound Alongside the electric Golf and electric T-Roc, VW will continue to sell ICE versions of some models as part of a new strategy that represents a shift in customer sentiment and a growing industry consensus that a mixed drivetrain portfolio will be needed well into the 2030s. This has been driven by sales of EVs not accelerating as fast as anticipated and infrastructure concerns remaining in many markets. As such, Volkswagen is realigning its model cadence and development priorities to offer buyers more flexibility. In the case of the Golf, this will be an upgraded version of the current hatchback, and a second-generation ICE T-Roc will be launched at the end of this year. Set to be revealed at September's Munich show, it is tipped to be the final new ICE model that Volkswagen will bring to market. Despite them sharing a name, the ICE T-Roc will be an entirely separate model from its new electric sibling. With the new ICE T-Roc, VW will introduce a fullhybrid powertrain to its line-up for the fi rst time. The new set-up, similar to that used by the Toyota Prius, combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery, enabling limited electric-only driving without the need for external charging. The petrol engine is expected to be a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. As well as providing direct drive, it will also function as a generator to recharge the battery. Various outputs are planned, ranging from 201bhp to 268bhp and 258lb ft to 295lb ft. The technology differs from VW's current mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems, offering a cheaper alternative in some of its most popular models. Autocar has been told that the powertrain will be available not only on the new ICE T-Roc but also across other MQB Evo-based models, including the Golf and Tiguan, as well as others across the VW Group stable. This pushes the lifespan of those cars until at least 2033, Autocar understands. A significant facelift for the Golf next year will bring improved infotainment, mild styling tweaks and a streamlined engine range that will include the new full-hybrid powertrain. VW has committed €60 billion (£50.8bn) in further investment into ICE development through to the end of 2028, including this new hybrid push. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Bangkok Post
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Compact EV battle
The Munich Motor Show in September will host a raft of debuts from Polestar, Renault, Skoda, Volkswagen and others. As well as the launches of the new BMW iX3 and electric Mercedes GLC, a key focus will be on the much-anticipated new wave of small EVs. Following the success of the Renault 5 -- which has so far this year achieved more than 30,000 sales in Europe -- sub-£25,000 EVs are now expected to be the most fiercely contested segment as manufacturers battle to increase their EV sales. Making its debut at Munich, the long-awaited Volkswagen ID 2 will be the first of the VW Group's MEB Entry range of price-leading EVs, which also include the Cupra Raval, Skoda Epiq and raised Volkswagen ID 2 X. According to VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, the four vehicles, known as the Electric Urban Car Family, are crucial for the group's stability after a turbulent period marked by planned factory closures and substantial job cuts. The ID 2 will be unveiled in production-ready form at the show ahead of its arrival in showrooms early next year. The electric counterpart to the Polo is seen by group insiders as one of the most important cars it has launched in recent times. It is pencilled in to go on sale priced at or just below the £23,000 starting price of the 5. It will measure around 4.1m long, have a wheelbase of 2.6m and offer 490 litres of boot space. Inside, it will feature an array of physical switches for primary functions, alongside a 12.9in infotainment screen and 10.9in digital driver display. The ID 2, like its three platform siblings, will be powered exclusively by a 223bhp single front-mounted motor and a choice of 38kWh and 56kWh batteries. The bigger battery will provide a range of around 448km. A hot GTI variant of the ID 2 is also in the works and has been previewed by the ID GTI concept. It will enter production in 2027. Autocar A radically different Clio will be shown for the first time. The sixth-generation hatchback is set to ditch pure-petrol engines and go hybrid-only -- in part to meet stringent new EU fleet emissions targets. The supermini will also introduce several new design cues, such as a more prominent nose with a diamond-shaped grille pattern and twin-decked lip spoilers at the rear. SKODA OCTAVIA A new concept from Skoda will preview the next-generation Octavia Estate. CEO Klaus Zellmer told Autocar that it will be a "further step" for the brand in its design but will still "clearly be recognisable as a Skoda". It is likely to be based on the Volkswagen Group's upcoming SSP platform, designed for its next-generation EVs. VOLKSWAGEN ID 2X Beside the ID 2, the taller and chunkier ID 2X will be shown in near-production form for the first time. It will go on sale a year after the hatch. Effectively an electric alternative to the T-Cross, it will start at around £25,000, meaning it is set to be one of the cheapest electric SUVs on the market. CUPRA RAVAL The Raval will make its production debut at the show. It will be the brand's smallest EV, sitting below the VW ID 3-twinned Born. Like that car, it will be positioned as the most sporty and "rebellious" variant of the MEB Entry range. To that end, it will feature a more aggressive-looking design than the ID 2. Polestar will reveal its Porsche Taycan-rivalling 5 at the Munich show. The newcomer is promised to offer nearly 900bhp in its most potent form. The super-saloon is described as a "company-defining project" and will be the first model built on Polestar's new 800V architecture. It is said to have "supercar levels" of stiffness and be the lightest model in its class. SKODA EPIQ Along with its platform siblings, the Epiq is expected to be unveiled at the show. Revealed in concept form in 2024, it will go on sale next year priced at less than £25,000. Like the ID 2X, with which it will share a production line, it will be a rugged, 4x4-inspired raised hatch that will square off with the Renault 4. A hot vRS version is tipped to follow. In addition to the Raval, Cupra will take the wraps off a new concept that is expected to showcase the next generation of its interior design. An official preview image shows a radical new cabin similar to that of the Dark Rebel concept, which was unveiled in 2023, and includes a yoke-like steering wheel, chunky central spine and racing seats.
Auto Car
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Radical Cupra concept to showcase future of brand's design – and it has a yoke wheel
Close Cupra will showcase its future design language with a new concept car at the 2025 Munich motor show. To be unveiled on 8 September, the show car is expected to focus heavily on the future of Cupra's interior design. The preview picture released by the brand shows a radical new cabin similar to that of the DarkRebel concept shown in 2023. It includes a yoke-like wheel, chunky central spine similar to the electric Tavascan, and what appear to be racing seats. The brand said the concept will blend 'human and machine, where the driving experience and emotions reach their fullest expression', emphasising a focus on interior design. Cupra has revealed little else about the concept, but it is also expected to show the next step in the Spanish firm's exterior design language. The concept follows a major range-wide redesign last year in which the entire line-up was refreshed to bring parity between the new electric cars and older combustion models. The revamp mainly focused on the front end and included a prominent beak, a broader grille and triangular LED lights The show car will be revealed alongside a camouflaged production version of the new Raval – Cupra's Volkswagen ID 2 twin. The Raval will arrive in 2026 as the brand's new entry-level model and a rival to the Renault 5. It is expected to be priced at around £25,000.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand to overhaul popular SUV into ‘completely different car' in bid to keep up with rivals
A MAJOR car brand is giving a huge makeover to one of its most popular cars and it's going to look 'completely different'. The iconic SUV is getting an overhaul as part of the beloved brand's bid to keep up with its rivals. Advertisement 3 Volkswagen are overhauling the design of one of its most iconic vehicles Credit: Alamy 3 The ID 4 will be getting a brand new look Credit: Getty Volkswagen is the manufacturer of some of the UK's favourite cars, including the ID 4 SUV. The ID 4 is the company's second electric car, after the ID 3. Now, as the model approaches its fifth anniversary, Volkswagen has decided to give the car a modern makeover. Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen's CEO, has said that the new version of the car is 'really beautiful'. Advertisement He added: "We'll re-do the ID 4 completely inside and out. It will be a completely different car - a huge step up." The car manufacturer is hoping to make the ID 4 closely resemble the upcoming ID 1 city cars and ID 2 superminis, which have a futuristic and sleek design. Thomas said that the change is part of a bid for the brand to 'stay competitive' and for the car - which is its 'most important electric vehicle in numbers' - to look like Volkswagen's other designs. According to Autocar, the new version of the vehicle is known as the 'electric Tiguan' in Volkswagen's HQ, though it is unknown if the ID 4 will keep its name. Advertisement However, Thomas has confirmed that several major cars produced by Volkswagen will keep their names, He said: 'We've decided we're not going to throw away the traditional, successful names that have carried us for so long, that we've invested in for so long, like Golf and Tiguan. The Volkswagen ID3 GTX Performance 'Why would you let them go?' First launched in 2020, the ID 4 is the fourth best-selling electric car in Europe behind the ID 7 and ID 4. Advertisement German-owned Volkswagen is keen to become a global leader in EVs and an electric Tiguan is believed to be part of the brand's plan to remain a major player in the market. The electric Tiguan would launch in 2025 or 2026, coinciding with the release of the redesigned ID 4. However, the car manufacturer has not confirmed which aspects of the car will be changed. The American and European variants will share similar designs, while the Chinese equivalents will reflect design trends in China. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Nissan Micra reboot proves small car isn't dead… it's a million miles better than old ones & based around superb rival
Micra is a reskinned Renault 5 using the same menu of batteries, e-motors, suspension and electronics MICRA JOINS MICRO CLUB Nissan Micra reboot proves small car isn't dead… it's a million miles better than old ones & based around superb rival Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOT so long ago everyone was predicting the death of the small car. Ford Fiesta. Ford Ka. Vauxhall Adam. Vauxhall Viva. Peugeot 108. Citroen C1. Renault Twingo. Volkswagen Up! Skoda Citigo. Seat Mii 3 The Nissan Micra has been rebooted for the electric age Credit: David Shepherd Photographer shep@ 3 Micra is a reskinned Renault 5 using the same menu of batteries, e-motors, suspension and electronics Credit: David Shepherd Photographer shep@ All popular runabouts sent to the great scrapyard in the sky. Manufacturers blamed cost, ever- tightening regulations adding even more cost, and the trend for pumped-up crossovers. Now everything is about to go full circle and I'm here for it. Renault will unveil an all-new Clio petrol hybrid shortly. To sit alongside the gorgeous battery-powered 5. Then the titchy Twingo returns as a £17K EV late next year. Volkswagen is to update Polo with a mild hybrid petrol engine – so it'll be around for much longer. Ditto Seat and Ibiza. Then VW will roll out a family of urban EVs previewed by the ID2 and ID1 concepts. ID2 will be badged ID Polo by the time it hits showrooms next summer priced from £22k – and ID1 will become Up! in 2027, costing about £17k. Vauxhall already flogs Corsa in both power types and we'll see the next one in a month or two. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further Fiat has the brilliant 500 and box-fresh Grande Panda and there's a smaller Panda city car in the pipeline. We recently tested BYD's £19k Dolphin Surf. Lots of small, simple starter cars for everyone. Now we come to the red car you see here. Nissan Micra. Another household name rebooted for the electric age. Basically, Micra is a reskinned Renault 5 – built by Renault at the R5 factory – using the same menu of batteries, e-motors, suspension and electronics. So it drives like an R5. Feels like an R5. Goes as far as an R5. Which is fine by me. Because the R5 is a peach. So your choice is purely down to looks. Whether you prefer the retro codes of the R5 or the cheery puppy-eyed Micra. Those Micra lights 'wink' at you when you unlock the car. That thick stripe down the waistline is what Nissan's London designers call the 'ice cream scoop'. Like dragging a spoon across the surface of untouched ice cream. Yeah, whatever. It's a million miles better than the vanilla Micras of old. 3 The Micra drives like an R5, feels like an R5 and goes as far as an R5 Credit: David Shepherd Photographer shep@ Other observations. They've printed Mount Fuji in the centre console and boot frame, a nod to the car's Japanese heritage. But they forgot to replace the French cockerel on the windscreen. Duh. Like the R5, Micra has a twin-screen dash, Google brain, reversing camera and one simple button to switch off all the beeps and bongs the law now demands. Unlike the R5, mid-spec Micras have steering wheel paddles to adjust the levels of braking regen. So it's actually more fun to drive. The tech wasn't ready before R5 hit the road. But it will get it soon. Nissan has also done another deal with Renault for a city car based on the upcoming Twingo. Death of the small car? No, mate. There's lots of good stuff just around the corner. KEY FACTS: NISSAN MICRA Price: £23,000 Battery: 40kWh Power: 122hp 0-62mph: 9 secs Top speed: 93mph Range: 192 miles Out: January Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
