VW was caught testing a weird-looking Golf Sportsvan, which is the German automaker’s way of developing one of its upcoming battery-electric ID models without attracting too much attention.
The tall body of the Golf Sportsvan does a pretty good job at hiding the true nature of the pictured test car, but if you look closely, you’ll notice things like the slightly different front end, the fatter side sills and of course the complete lack of any exhaust tips.
With VW planning to introduce a pair of compact electric SUVs inspired by the ID Crozz concept, this test mule right here might just be the first real-world sighting of the 2020 ID-badged crossovers.
Volkswagen is set to use a dedicated architecture for all of its upcoming battery electric vehicles, the MEB modular platform. The skateboard-like underpinnings will feature the battery pack mounted within the floorpan for the lowest possible weight center and better road-holding.
The first MEB-based model to reach production will be the yet-unnamed ID hatchback, which is set for a launch late this year, offering different battery capacity options and a starting price similar to that of a diesel-powered Golf.
While the upcoming ID hatchback will employ a rear-mounted electric motor and rear-wheel drive for more efficient packaging, VW’s upcoming electric SUVs will feature two electric motors, one mounted on each axle, making them all-wheel drive and adding more performance into the mix. The ID Crozz concept came with a combined 301hp and a driving range of up to 310 miles (500km).
Prepare to see more of these electric VW test cars in the coming months, as the German automaker has promised to essentially flood the market with zero-emissions models by the end of 2022, with no less than 27 MEB-based vehicles currently being in the pipeline.
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