Flagship pure-electric Volkswagen ID.6 leaked

The previously unseen Volkswagen ID.6 has been leaked online, with images emerging based on a patent filing in China for the all-new Tesla Model X rival.

Originally previewed by the Volkswagen ID. Roomzz concept that was unwrapped at the 2020 Shanghai motor show, Volkswagen's largest EV yet majors on space and will offer seven seats.

Measuring in at 4876mm long, 1848mm wide and standing 1680mm tall, the Volkswagen ID.6 is just 2mm shorter than the Touareg but a considerable 136mm narrower and 37mm lower.

However, thanks to its MEB architecture, the all-electric SUV packages its batteries low in the platform to offer unrivalled cabin space, easily accommodating a third row of seating.

Set for an unveiling later in 2021, the ID.6 looks related to the smaller ID.4 but features larger headlights and sharper styling.

Differing from the futuristic concept, the sliding doors have been dropped for production, while there's also conventional door mirrors.

According to the patent, the big pure-electric SUV will be powered by an 82kWh battery that will provide a WLTP-verified range of 450km.

Driven by dual electric motors, total power is around 225kW, enough to haul its sizeable 2280kg kerb weight to 100km/h in around 6.6 seconds, although top speed is limited to 160km/h.

Capable of fast DC charging at up to 150kW, the leaked info suggests an 80 per cent charge takes just 30 minutes.

From launch, the ID.6 is expected to come with Volkswagen's latest Level 3 autonomous driving aids, but only in geofenced areas. Later on, the German car-maker is set to upgrade the ID.6 to full Level 4 driverless capability.

Despite being created to halt Tesla's domination of the large battery-powered seven-seat SUV segment, the Volkswagen ID.6 is expected to only be available to Chinese buyers initially but is set to be rolled out to other markets in future.