Volkswagen reveals ID. Aero saloon

VW’s first mainstream electric sedan for a global market, the newcomer is being previewed by the concept you see here. The ID. Aero was unveiled in China where it will be made and go on sale first, but VW says a made-in-Germany version will be launched in Europe in 2023. 

Likely to be badged ID.6 for production, VW confirms the concept is close to be production in the form you see it here – at least close to the Chinese version. It’s unlikely the Euro model will be that different. That’s good news if you approve of its smooth and seamless look and fastback rear end, all factors that help justify its Aero name with a wind-cheating Cd figure of just 0.23. 

Low drag and big (77kWh) batteries translate into an impressive range. VW says the concept can travel 382 miles (620km) between charge-ups, according to the WLTP protocol. 

This far out there are no more mechanical details but it would be a big surprise if the “ID.6” didn’t come with a choice of one or two motors, rear- or all-wheel-drive – not forgetting a sporty GTX version. An estate variant is likely too. 

All is possible thanks to the car being underpinned by the marque’s modular electric drive platform (MEB), already familiar in different shapes and sizes from the other ID family members. Including the much-anticipated ID. Buzz wagon, this will be the sixth ID model to be launched by VW.

In this form, the MEB platform gets the signature proportions of long wheelbase and short overhangs, but an overall length that stretches to almost 5m, in this concept form at least. 

It is therefore longer than the Passat (4.8m) and not far off the defunct Phaeton flagship whose vast interior space the new model is said to emulate. 

This promises to be an exceptionally spacious car, a big plus for the Chinese market where they love their long-wheelbase sedans. Will there be a more Passat-sized shorter-wheelbase version for Europe? It can’t be ruled out. 

These first pictures show it to be a handsome machine, typically VW understated, with unadorned surfaces, subtle curves, a slim-pillared look to the glasshouse and a fastback line to a roof that extends right back to the vestigial rear end. 

De rigueur electric touches include flush touch pads for door handles and full width light bars. High gloss black trims, honeycomb design cues and aero-optimised (but still stunning) 22-inch wheels set it off. 

Still want that Tesla Model 3 or BMW i4, or any of the other new-wave electric sedans coming now that the world is realising not everyone wants an SUV-shaped electric car?