The future direction of the Volkswagen brand in China has been previewed by three design concepts, which will make their public debut at this week's Shanghai Auto Show.
Why did Volkswagen create three different design concepts?
Rather than producing one brand vision, Volkswagen created three distinct design concepts called the ID. Aura, ID. Evo and ID. Era. In China, Volkswagen operates with several joint-venture partners that produce and distribute different vehicles that all fall under the VW brand. Each car has a different style to reflect its respective partner, but also to appeal to different tastes and customers within the vast Chinese market.
What is the Volkswagen ID. Aura?
The Volkswagen ID. Aura is a saloon (or sedan) that has some hints of the now-discontinued Arteon. Created for FAW-Volkswagen, its sleek design is accentuated by its low nose and long wheelbase. Built on the brand's Compact Main Platform (CMP), the ID. Aura is equipped with Level 2++ ADAS to take the strain out of longer journeys for the driver. Inside, the ID. Aura features an AI-powered digital assistant powered by China Electronic Architecture (CEA) that contains the smart 'brain' of the car and is being rolled out in the company's next-generation vehicles.
What is the Volkswagen ID. Era and how does it work?
While electric cars are hugely popular in China, there is a burgeoning market for extended-range models that use combustion engines to increase the driving range of cars through hybridisation, and that's precisely what the ID. Era is about. This full-size SUV has been designed in collaboration with SAIC Volkswagen, which produces the ID.3, ID.4 X, and ID.6 X, amongst other combustion-engined models in the local market.
The ID. Era has a blocky design with modern aesthetics and is subjectively the most conventionally styled of the three concepts. Its upright front contains vertically stacked lights that are separate from the light bar that spans the leading edge of the bonnet and contains the illuminated VW logo - a detail that is common across all three concepts.
Smooth surfacing includes door handles that retract to sit flush with the bodywork, and a glasshouse that sees its windows meet perfectly with the bodywork, which also reduces wind noise on the move. Repeating the front design, the rear of the ID. Era features a horizontal light bar that wraps around the back.
The interior is a six-seat layout with a clear emphasis on comfort and space for its occupants. A middle row contains 'Captain' chairs for supreme luxury and a 'Queen' seat for the co-driver up front. Powering the ID. Era is a range-extender motor that uses an Active Air Intake system, supplementing the electric powertrain by generating electricity to provide a driving range in excess of 1,000 kilometres.
As with the ID. Aura, the ID. Era concept is capable of Level 2++ assisted driving with a NOA (Navigation On Autopilot) function. An AI digital assistant relies on a Chinese LLM-based (Large Language Model) system to provide accurate information and assist with various functions.
Who is the Volkswagen ID. Evo designed for?
The Volkswagen ID. Evo comes from Volkswagen Anhui, which is the newest of the brand's partnerships in China. Having originally been known as JAC Volkswagen, Volkswagen increased its stake in the partnership in 2020 and rebranded to Anhui, becoming its fully-controlled subsidiary in the country.
Designed to appeal to a younger buyer, the ID. Evo wears a more dynamic face with angled headlights that draw focus to the VW logo. A rounded front bumper and active air slots within create a sportier image, and the way in which the headlights are integrated into the corners of the front bumper adds to its clean lines.
Contrasting black sills and pronounced rear haunches give the SUV a more athletic profile, and the clamshell tailgate and small rear window produce a tapered rear-end design. Its electric powertrain uses an advanced 800-volt architecture to enable ultra-fast charging times, and it has an overall driving range of 700 kilometres. To satisfy the demands of a younger buyer, the ID. Evo has a highly customisable experience inside with voice control, digital in-car services and Level 2++ City NOA driver assistance.
What are Volkswagen's goals with these new concepts?
Thomas Schafer, CEO of Volkswagen Brand, stated: “The three concept cars are a solid result of our 'In China, for China' strategy. With them, we have thus created all the prerequisites to remain the leading international car manufacturer in China.”
Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Brand China, added: “With the ID. Aura, ID. Era and ID. Evo concepts, we are shaping tomorrow with competitive models, providing the volume market with forward-looking designs and premium-level tech, underscored by the safety and quality standards expected from a Volkswagen.
“Originating in China, the ID. Evo concept, ID. Era concept and ID. Aura concept showcase how we're reinforcing our product and technology roadmap to cater to the differing needs of forward-looking Chinese customers. Their volume versions will hit the market from 2026. By merging the brand's global strengths with China's powers of innovation, we will provide fully-connected smart mobility experiences.”