Sleek new Volkswagen ID. AERO concept sketched

Volkswagen is going after Mercedes-Benz and Tesla in the electric sedan segment.

The German auto giant today revealed the first teaser images of its upcoming 2023 Volkswagen ID. AERO ahead of a physical concept reveal next week and an eventual market introduction in 2023.

Destined to rub shoulders with the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model S, Volkswagen’s inaugural battery-electric sedan bares more than a few similarities with the 2019 Volkswagen ID. Vizzion concept and the ‘Aero B’ wagon concept that came after it, including the bladed alloy wheels, gently curved roofline, chiselled front facia and expansive wheelbase.

Confirmed by VW to be launching in China in the second half of next year, the production ID. AERO is widely expected to don the Volkswagen ID.7 nameplate and serve as an electric replacement for the Passat when it enters the European and North American markets in the following months.

“The production version of the ID. AERO is expected to go on sale in the Chinese automobile market in the second half of 2023,” said Volkswagen late today.

“The corresponding production model for the North American and European market will be presented in 2023.”

These initial teaser images depict the car as more of a Passat CC/Volkswagen Arteon successor on account of its fastback silhouette, but this should ultimately help it in its battle against the similarly-styled – and already released – EQE.

Confirmed to be underpinned by Volkswagen’s versatile dedicated-electric MEB architecture, the production ID. AERO will almost certainly be available with single- and dual-motor powertrains and will need to be capable of covering more than 600km on a single charge if it’s to compete with the aforementioned Mercedes.

“The future production version of the ID. AERO sees Volkswagen expand its successful ID. family in the high-volume upper-middle class segment, and accelerate its electric offensive within the framework of the Accelerate strategy,” continued the German car-maker.

“At first glance, the new concept car impresses with its outstanding aerodynamics, elegant design and generous space.”

According to VW head office, the European and North American versions will be produced at the brand’s Emden plant; the same one in which the current Passat and Arteon are made.

Australia has thus far been left off the key market list, but we expect the new-generation EV to make it Down Under eventually, given the ID. AERO’s self-proclaimed identity as “the next world car for a new market segment”.

Volkswagen Group Australia’s first EV will be the Cupra Born hatch in early 2023, followed by the Skoda Enyaq crossover SUVs and, perhaps, the closely-related Volkswagen ID.4 later next year.