Volkswagen may be cutting cars from its American lineup, but a new full-electric sedan, the ID Aero, is headed to the U.S., likely after it launches in China and Europe.
VW showed a near-production concept of the midsize sedan in China last week, ahead of a planned sales launch in 2023. It will be built in Germany and China, where cars remain popular and key entry points for many brands.
The ID Aero uses the same MEB platform as other VW Group full-electric vehicles.
The aerodynamically optimized body has a low drag coefficient, 0.23, VW said. The exterior design includes illuminated touch surfaces in place of door handles, and a sloping roof, giving it a fastback look.
The concept is “a pretty accurate preview of the car to come,” said Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars in China.
The aerodynamic shape will help give the production version a range of up to 385 miles from a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, VW said.
The car is recognizable from 2018’s ID Vizzion concept, which VW said had the interior space of its Phaeton large luxury sedan.
VW has also said it will make a station wagon version, as previewed by the 2019 ID Space Vizzion concept.
In China, the ID Aero will become the VW brand’s flagship model, said Wöllenstein.
“Midsize sedans are a crowd-pleaser in China,” he said.
Two versions of the ID Aero will be built in China, one each for VW’s two joint venture partners, SAIC and FAW Group. The production model will be unveiled early next year, with deliveries starting in China in the second half, Wöllenstein said.
No timing or production source was given for versions to be sold in the U.S.