The story has been updated with new information about Volkswagen’s small and compact EVs, following the debuts of the updated ID.3 and the ID.2all concept, as well as the official confirmation of the smaller ID.1, on March 18, 2023.
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has officially confirmed that the company will launch 10 new electric models by 2026. Combining all the available information, spy shots, and reports, we broke down those 10 EV debuts in a single story so you are prepared for the zero-emission Volkswagens coming your way in the next three years.
All of the upcoming EVs by VW will be based on the upgraded MEB Plus architecture bringing advancements in range, technology, safety, and performance compared to the current variant of the platform that was originally introduced in 2019. The next step for Volkswagen is the new SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) modular architecture but this won’t be introduced in a production vehicle before 2026.
2024 VW ID.3
Starting in chronological order, the first EV is the 2024 VW ID.3 which debuted on March 1st. The company calls it a second generation but it is more of a mid-lifecycle facelift of the compact EV. Visual changes are mild, including a sharper-looking bumper, a body-color bonnet, and fresh LED graphics for the headlights/taillights.
Read: VW Brings Entire EV Drive System Production In-House For Affordability And Efficiency
Inside, VW improved the perceived quality, added more sustainable materials, and a larger 12-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard on the reshaped dashboard. The ID.3 comes fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and a 58 or 77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offering up to 339 miles (546 km) of range depending on the trim.
2024 VW ID.7
Next up is the 2024 VW ID.7 which is scheduled to debut on April 17 at the Shanghai Auto Show, with parallel events taking place in Germany and in the US. The electric sedan will rival the Tesla Model 3 and other similarly-sized models, hoping to steal a portion of the sales pie in major markets including China, Europe, and North America.
The production version of the 2022 ID.Aero concept was previewed at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, hiding its slightly toned-down styling features under a fancy camouflage wrap but fully unveiling its interior. The latter features a 15-inch free-standing infotainment touchscreen, a smaller digital instrument cluster, an augmented reality head-up display, and digitally controlled “Smart Air Vents” for the air conditioning system. If you are wondering about the presence of the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, VW recently promised to get rid of them in all of its models, but this will happen later as part of a model year update.
VW didn’t announce the technical specifications of the ID.7 but promised an electric range of up to 700 km (435 miles). This is most likely close to the limit of the MEB Plus architecture with the current battery tech and capacity.
Hotter Variants Of The ID.3 And The ID.7
The next two EV debuts will be the performance-focused variants of ID.3 and the ID.7, likely called GTX. While VW is reportedly considering dropping the GTX nameplate and replacing it with the GTI, we don’t know if this decision has already been taken and if it will take immediate effect. The hotter ID.3 was previewed by the 2021 VW ID.X Concept featuring sporty exterior and interior touches.
As reported by Automobilwoche, the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX will introduce a more powerful dual-motor powertrain producing 345 hp (257 kW / 350 PS). Later on, this setup is expected to be inherited by the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, improving on the current power output of 295 hp (220 kW / 299 PS) and providing them with better performance figures.
Mind you, VW is also working on full-blown R variants of some of its electric models, as the performance sub-brand will go EV-only by 2030. We have yet to learn which models will get the R treatment but those will certainly pack more power and offer more extreme performance than the lesser GTX (electric), GTI (petrol), GTE (PHEV), and GTD (diesel) derivatives.
2025 VW ID.7 Wagon
In 2024, VW is expected to show the estate bodystyle variant of the ID.7, further expanding its EV range to cover new segments. The zero-emission equivalent to the ICE-powered Passat Variant that will also get a new generation was closely previewed by the 2019 VW ID. Space Vizzion concept. When it arrives, it will serve as a low-slung alternative to SUVs offering a similar level of practicality while mirroring the technical specifications and design of the ID.7 sedan.
Facelifts For The ID.4 And The ID.5
Next year will be the turn of the ID.4 for a mid-lifecycle update, with the closely-related ID.5 coupe-SUV likely following in 2025. This is exactly four years after their original debuts, in line with Volkswagen’s strategy. The facelifted SUVs are expected to gain similar upgrades with the ID.3, including improved quality inside the cabin.
2025 VW ID.2
One of the most anticipated premieres for European buyers is the EV hatchback that was recently previewed by the ID.2all concept. It is not clear if the production version that will follow in 2025 will be called ID.2 or adopt the more nostalgic ID. Golf moniker. What is more important is the promised starting price of €25,000 ($27,000) making it accessible to more buyers.
The EV which has styling references to the original Golf, will slot below the ID.3 in the VW range. The length of 4,050 mm (160 inches) is similar to the ICE-powered Polo, but the packaging of its MEB underpinnings results in a spacious Golf-sized cabin. Inside, the 10.9-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen have retro-styled options for their graphics while the boot has a capacity of 440 liters (15.5 cubic feet)
The concept came fitted with a single front-mounted electric motor producing 223 hp (166 kW / 226 PS) and an unspecified battery that is good for 280 miles (450 km) of range. Those are already pretty impressive specs, but VW officials confirmed they are working on a hot hatch variant of the ID.2all. The latter will be front-wheel-drive, proudly wearing the GTX or GTI emblem.
2027 VW ID.1
If you thought that the ID.2 would be the smallest and cheapest Volkswagen EV, think again. The automaker confirmed an even more affordable offering starting below the €20,000 ($21,100) mark. The urban EV which could be dubbed ID.1, will serve as a replacement for the e-Up! offering a more spacious interior and greater range. While the production version is expected to debut closer to 2027, we can’t exclude the possibility of a previewing concept arriving earlier than that.
Urban EV Crossover?
With a duo of hatchbacks (ID.1, ID.2) in the smaller segments, Volkswagen will – at some point – need to add another SUV to its lineup. The yet-unnamed and unconfirmed model which is often referred to as the ID.2x, could eventually replace the ICE-powered T-Cross and T-Roc duo.
Expect an increased ground clearance and a bulkier body than the hatchback, resulting in a higher seating position and a more adventurous stance. Those features will allow VW to offer it at an increased price point compared to its low-slung sibling, despite sharing most of their underpinnings.
Compact EV Crossover
Last but not least, an ID.3-sized crossover has been officially confirmed by Schäfer, slotting below the ID.4. The CEO spoke about a dramatically different exterior design compared to the mechanically related ID.3, bringing greater differentiation in the VW range. The crossover is expected to debut in late 2026, but it is not clear if it will be called the ID.3 X, or adopt the ID. Tiguan nameplate instead.
Are you excited by any of the aforementioned EV debuts? Up to date, it is the VW ID. Buzz that generated the most enthusiastic response from the public. Speaking of which, the minivan’s long-wheelbase US-spec version will arrive in 2024, with the ID. Buzz California camper following in the second half of the decade.
Volkswagen has pledged to go EV-only in Europe by 2033, which is two years before regulations effectively ban sales of ICE-powered vehicles in the Old Continent. The company will keep selling combustion-engined vehicles in North America and China for a little bit longer, but will eventually go EV-only there as well.
