Volkswagen ID.5 and hot ID.5 GTX revealed

Volkswagen has unveiled its new 2022 Volkswagen ID.5 SUV-coupe that will challenge the likes of both the Kia EV6 and Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback when it goes on sale early next year.

Heavily based on the German auto giant's MEB architecture, the Volkswagen ID.5 shares much with the current ID.3, meaning its width, length and wheelbase are all identical.

Its more rakish lines also sacrifice only 12mm of rear headroom, according to VW.

Thanks to its swoopy design, the most aerodynamic version of the ID.5 comes with an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.26Cd, which allows it to cover up to 520km between top-ups.

Available in most markets with three pure-electric powertrains, all versions come with a 77kWh battery.

Entry ID.5 Pro models come equipped with a rear-mounted 128kW motor that provides for a 0-100km/h sprint of 10.4 seconds and a 159km/h top speed.

Upgrade to the mid-spec Pro Performance version that gets a more powerful 150kW single electric motor and two seconds is shaved off the base car's acceleration figure, with the 0-100km/h dash taking 8.4 seconds. Top speed remains pegged at 159km/h.

If that's still pedestrian, the flagship ID.5 GTX comes with a dual-motor set-up that produces a combined 220kW and offers both a far more rapid 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a 180km/h top speed.

There is a catch, though. By opting for the GTX the ID.5's range falls to 489km.

The differing distance between top-ups is explained by the ID.5 GTX's sportier styling that includes a more prominent front bumper, revised grille, side skirts and larger rear spoiler and diffuser that are all designed to ensure the flagship model is more stable at high speed.

As standard, the sportiest ID.5 GTX gets a bespoke chassis tune that sees it sit lower to the ground. There's also the option of adaptive dampers, while bigger and more powerful brakes are fitted standard.

Whatever version you choose, each ID.5 comes with active shutters on the front grille that blank off the opening to enhance the aero and open when extra cooling is required.

Inside, the zero-emissions SUV-coupe gets the same simple 6.0-inch digital instrument cluster as the ID.4 that's flanked by a large 12.0-inch infotainment system that runs VW's latest version 3.0 operating system.

Offering more space than a Volkswagen Tiguan, the ID.5 shuns leather for vegan-friendly materials.

Luggage space, surprisingly, has been enhanced with 549 litres available – 6L more than the ID.4.

Capable of being charged up to 135kW (compared to the 120kW capability of the ID.3 and ID.4), the ID.5 takes just 26 minutes to recharge up to 80 per cent.

That's around nine minutes faster than both the ID.3 and ID.4, although both of those will soon be capable of being recharged at the higher rate thanks to an over-the-air software update.

When it arrives, the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX will also be ready for over-the-air updates and fully connected, thanks to Car2X technology that communicates with other compatible vehicles in a radius of up to 800 metres and warns the driver of dangerous areas, accidents and stationary traffic.

In Europe, the ID.5 is set to carry a premium over the ID.4 of around €3000 ($A4700).

There's no firm word on Australian timing for the ID.5, but the ID.4 has been given a provisional green light for sale Down Under and is expected to launch in 2023.

So count on a similar timeframe for ID.5 and other members of the burgeoning ID family.

Related: Volkswagen ID.5 GTX revealed