Last Friday photos of a heavily camouflaged VW ID test car surfaced online and now the German carmaker officially confirmed that the that it was indeed their first EV doing its first approval drive in South Africa.
Without providing too much information, VW said that this is the production version of the ID Hatchback concept that debuted back in 2016. The electric model is set to enter production in November 2019.
The VW ID will be similarly sized to the Golf and will be priced similarly to a diesel-powered Golf, too. It will also debut the MEB architecture, VW’s EV-exclusive platform that’s set to underpin the German company’s electric offensive in the coming years.
The upcoming 2020 VW ID will have a rear mounted 168hp (170PS) electric motor driving the rear wheels. Having the powertrain at the rear enabled VW to free up more space in the cabin and make it more maneuverable, thanks to an impressively tight turning circle.
According to VW, the MEB platform will give us electric models with a driving range between 205 miles (330km) to over 340 miles (550km), meaning that the production version of the ID hatchback will offer an impressive range from the get-go.
Other features of the upcoming EV include full connectivity online, offering a range of services to the owners. VW avoided however to add things like pop-up door handles or door cameras, as these would have a negative impact on the car’s price.
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