The Volkswagen Group has been riding the gravy train in China for decades, but its days of dominance are over. The rise of domestic automakers offering affordable, technology-laden cars is putting a serious dent in the balance sheets of legacy brands, forcing them to rethink their strategies.
As the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Audi recently signed a deal with SAIC to expand its existing partnership by creating a new local Audi brand that ditches the famous four rings. Just like a ring E5 Sportback It looks vastly different from Audi’s global lineup, Volkswagen’s new I.D. The Unyx 08, jointly developed with Xpeng, has no visual relation to VW’s global models.
The electric vehicle marks a new design start for Volkswagen in China, introducing a design language developed specifically for the world’s largest automobile market. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we can all agree on identity. The Unyx 08 doesn’t look much like any existing VW product. Without badges, identified as A Volkswagen It would be impossible to limit.
Notable details include Brembo brakes and a wolf shape integrated into the third brake light. Split headlights and flush door handles are not surprising, as these features have been popular for some time. The frameless doors are a distinct touch, although the blacked-out A-pillars and oddly placed dark side skirts may divide opinions.
Basically a production version of the ID. An Evo concept, the Unyx 08 is a large electric SUV produced by Volkswagen Anhui in China. At 196.9 inches (5,000 mm) long, it is larger than Touareg But it is smaller than the atlas. Its dedicated EV platform allows for a noticeably longer wheelbase than both gas-powered models, at 119.2 inches (3,030 mm).
According to local reports, Volkswagen’s new China-only model has a lot in common with the Xpeng G9. Documentation from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirms that it has passed the validation process and will be offered in single- and twin-engined versions, with the top-spec version offering nearly 500 hp.
Power comes from a CATL-supplied lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, which offers a range of more than 435 miles (700 km), albeit measured to lenient CLTC standards. VW is also touting 800-volt ultra-fast charging for this new Chinese-engineered electric vehicle, which was developed at its largest R&D center outside Germany. Sales are scheduled to begin in the first half of next year.
Identity. The Unyx 08 and E5 Sportback are just two of about 30 electric cars that the VW Group plans to offer in China by the end of the decade under its “In China, for China” initiative.
