SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen ID.6 launched

Volkswagen has unveiled the all-new pure-electric Volkswagen ID.6 ahead of the seven-seat SUV's launch at this week's Shanghai motor show.

Created to sit above the current Volkswagen ID.4 in the battery-powered line-up, the latest ID.6 has been designed with an emphasis on space and offers buyers three rows of seating.

Based on the German car-maker's new MEB architecture that's been developed specifically for EVs, the Volkswagen ID.6 will square up to other seven-seat zero-emission SUVs like the Tesla Model X or Mercedes-Benz EQB.

The latter also unveiled overnight ahead of making its debut in Shanghai.

For now, Volkswagen has confirmed its largest-yet ID model will only be made in China for Chinese buyers as part of two joint-ventures with local car-makers.

Two versions of the ID.6 will be offered, a more coupe-like model called the Volkswagen ID.6 Crozz and a more rugged and more practical variant called the Volkswagen ID.6 X.

Beneath the skin both the ID.6 Crozz and ID.6 X will share identical powertrains, with each version available with either a 58kWh or 77kWh battery providing for a 436km or 588km range respectively under China's NEDC test regime.

As standard, the ID.6 comes powered by a rear-mounted single motor that generates 132kW or 150kW. A more powerful dual-motor ID.6 is also available that comes with 225kW.

With the latter twin-motor set-up, the Volkswagen ID.6 Crozz is capable of a 0-100km/h in just 6.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 160km/h.

The heavier ID.6 X, meanwhile, is just 0.1sec slower over the same 0-100km/h with the same limited top speed.

The ID.6 measures in at 4876mm long, 1848mm wide and 1680mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2965mm.

Compared with the ID.4, the ID.6 is 111mm longer, 4mm narrower but 44mm taller, with a considerably longer wheelbase (+200mm), hence the reason why it can accommodate a third row and offer lots more space all-round.

Brightening up the cabin, the ID.6 gets a full-length panoramic glass roof with an opening sliding roof as an option.

There's no word if and when Volkswagen will offer the ID.6 outside of China, but the German brand has already announced that thanks to huge demand for electric vehicles in China it will offer eight ID models there by 2023.