First Volkswagen ID.3 SUV confirmed

Volkswagen chief executive Thomas Schäfer has confirmed the German car-maker will introduce an all-new Volkswagen ID.3 SUV that will slot into the range between the current ID.3 hatchback and ID.4 mid-size SUV.

In an interview with Autocar, Schäfer said the ID.3 SUV spin-off – which is expected to be called the Volkswagen ID.3 X and debut before 2026 – would not simply be a high-riding version of the current ID.3 hatch.

He said Volkswagen’s design team has been given more freedom to create a distinct identity and that the SUV would look “dramatically different” to the passenger car version.

The ID.3 hatch is expected to arrive in Australia in 2024, following next year’s confirmed launch of the Volkswagen ID.4 and the coupe-style ID.5 derivative.

The revelation that the ID franchise will expand further coincides with Volkswagen’s announcement that it will reduce its combustion-powered offerings as it prepares to go full-electric in Europe by 2033.

Other new all-electric models confirmed by Schäfer include not one, but two versions of its forthcoming entry-level Volkswagen ID.1 city car – that is, a small hatch and a sporty crossover, both priced from around €20,000 ($A31,000).

Among the 10 new electric cars that will land by 2026, Schäfer said some would be facelifts of current models as the brand repositions itself to have the broadest EV line-up in Europe.

“From the entry-level e-car with a target price of under €25,000 to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the new flagship Volkswagen ID. Aero, we will have the right offer in every segment,” Schäfer said.

Enabling the rapid expansion is the Volkswagen Group’s reliance on the MEB architecture that will continue to evolve to unlock more range, performance and “helpful features” for EVs.

That said, Schäfer confirmed MEB would be pensioned off later this decade, replaced by the car-maker’s new SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) that would bring more advancements.

SSP will help Volkswagen simplify its model range and packages offered over the next 10 years as the European auto giant looks to boost its EV profit margins.

Despite saying VW’s combustion-powered offerings would become leaner, Schäfer said Skoda would still develop the next-generation Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat and will be in charge of vehicles spun-off the smallest MQB A0 platform.

Seat and Cupra, meanwhile, will remain in charge of small EVs, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will lead autonomous driving development and Volkswagen itself will manage the SSP’s gestation.

In other interviews, Schäfer said VW has yet to decide on whether the Golf will live on for a ninth generation, but said any existing combustion car would be available with less choice when it comes to powertrains and trims, to reduce costs and complexity.

In a bid to save cash, Volkswagen will group factories to produce models based on the same platform, not producing individual models – a move that could save as much €220 ($A340) million this year alone.

Schäfer said he also wants to better leverage Volkswagen’s heritage.

“People have smiles on their faces and pull out their smartphones when they see a Volkswagen Beetle, Bulli [Microbus] or Volkswagen Golf GTI. To us, our heritage is not a burden but a real asset,” he said.

“And that’s exactly what we want to build on again. Internally, I said to my team: ‘VW has to become a love brand again! A friendly brand that people like. A brand that listens and offers exactly what our customers want – especially in the electric and digital age of mobility.”

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au