Production model is rumored to get the ID.Golf moniker, with a concept reportedly coming next month
February 20, 2023 at 08:32
by Thanos Pappas
VW’s upcoming supermini-sized EV made its first spy appearance, with our spies spotting an early development mule. The new hatchback hides under a modified ID.3 body, but the obviously shorter wheelbase makes it clear it belongs to a smaller segment.
The new entry point in Volkswagen’s EV range was initially referred to as the ID.2, but the latest reports suggest it could bear the ID.Golf moniker. According to those, a previewing concept is expected to debut this March, giving us a better idea about the exterior design of the EV.
Read: New And Improved VW ID.3 Electric Car Teased, Debuts March 1
Speaking of exterior design, the spy shots reveal nothing but the footprint of the upcoming EV, as the mule doesn’t wear its production body. From a distance, the uncamouflaged vehicle looks like a standard VW ID.3, as most of the body panels are carried over from the compact hatchback which will get a facelift later this year. However, a closer look reveals that the rear doors are notably shorter in length, as with the rear side windows.
The production model is expected to look more balanced thanks to a unique design while retaining the five-door hatchback silhouette. Another thing that will definitely change is the generic-looking five-spoke alloy wheels of the mule which are sourced from older ICE-powered models. Finally, the charging port is located on the front fenders, unlike the ID.3 which has them on the rear quarter panels.
The new EV will look nothing like the VW ID.Life concept from 2021, as Volkswagen officials opted for a full redesign after the lukewarm response of the latter. The new design direction will be signed off by ex-Bentley designer Andreas Mindt, who recently took over the chief designer role at Volkswagen, replacing Jozef Kaban. According to insider sources, the exterior will be inspired by the fourth-gen VW Golf, while a hotter GTI-badged variant is rumored for the future.
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The model will ride on a shorter variant of the MEB Plus architecture, with a lithium iron phosphate battery and a single electric motor for starters. The same platform will be used by the Cupra UrbanRebel and another similarly-sized EV from Skoda. The three mechanically-related EVs will be produced at the Martorell factory in Spain.
The market launch of VW’s entry-level EV is expected in 2025, with an affordable price tag targeted to start from slightly above €20k ($21k).
