New Volkswagen ID.2: Is this the affordable electric VW we’ve been waiting for?

We’ve had a poke around the concept version of the upcoming Volkswagen ID.2

So far, Volkswagen has introduced a variety of all-electric ID-badged cars but none of them are what you’d call affordable for the mass-market. That is all set to change when the VW ID.2 comes along.

The production version of the ID.2 has been previewed by the ID.2all concept. The ID.2all is VW’s first take on the MEB Entry project, a process that was originally announced in 2019 with the target of delivering EVs for less than 20,000 euros. That price goal has now crept up to “less than 25,000 euros”, but there’s still hope that the car could cost from just under £20,000 in the UK. When it arrives in 2025 it’ll rival the likes of the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall’s Corsa Electric, plus the upcoming Renault 5 EV. 

Volkswagen ID.2all concept: platform and powertrain

The MEB Entry project is an offshoot from the MEB platform that delivered the likes of the VW ID.3 and Skoda’s Enyaq – but it’s designed from the outset to support smaller, cheaper vehicles. As such, it switches layout from rear- to front-wheel drive and makes use of the less complex torsion beam rear suspension design (without any need to package an electric motor) to boost practicality and keep a lid on costs.

The new concept is said to have been created in less than two months, under the guidance of VW’s latest design boss, Andreas Mindt, who only joined the brand earlier this year. The former Audi and Bentley man has created a much cleaner, simpler-looking vehicle than the futuristic, more visionary ID.Life, which was canned by VW’s latest brand boss Thomas Schäfer within days of him starting in the position.

Even though the ID.2all won’t go on sale for two more years, VW has taken the unusual step of confirming several of its key technical details. The concept’s single front-mounted motor produces 223bhp – enough, the firm says, for a 0-62mph time of around seven seconds. The battery pack will come in two sizes: 38 and 56kWh, but the chemistry involved is as yet unknown. VW says that it expects a WLTP range figure of around 280 miles for the larger pack, and that DC charging will take the battery pack from 10 to 80 per cent of its capacity in around 20 minutes thanks to a 125kW peak charging capacity. With two battery options, these figures will almost certainly relate to models fitted with the larger battery pack.

Volkswagen ID.2all concept: design

The front end and profile could easily pass for those of VW’s conventionally powered supermini, although there’s a single strong crease running along the flanks and the rear door handles are ‘hidden’ beyond the side windows. There’s also a fresh interpretation of the signature C-pillar from the Golf, too; this alone is a strong hint that the concept may not carry the ID. badge in production form. In contrast to many recent offerings, the ID.2all doesn’t make overt statements that it lacks a combustion engine.

Mindt describes the new concept as “an homage to the Beetle, Golf and Polo” that encompasses what VW calls its key values, stability and likeability. And sure enough, the ID.2all looks pretty detached from any of the ID. models that we’ve already seen – certainly much more conventional than the ID.3 hatchback. It’s 4,050mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,600mm – so a couple of centimetres shorter than the current Polo overall, but with five centimetres more between the front and rear axles.

Volkswagen ID.2all concept: interior and technology

The ID.2 might be pitched as a more affordable ID offering, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come with some clever practicality solutions and impressive technology. We’ve had a look around the ID.2all concept’s minimalist cabin already.

The pair of screens on the dash (a 10.9-inch screen for the driver and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen) have impressive configurability. You can choose between eras of Volkswagen cars as themes for the displays with a ‘Vintage’ Golf era designed to mimic the dash of an old Golf, a ‘Classic’ mode which apes the readouts of the original Beetle, and a ‘Modern’ mode to reflect the latest design thinking for the ID.2. 

Volkswagen is backtracking somewhat on its decision to put more functionality into the central screen. On the ID.2all concept there are simple physical switches below the central display for front-occupant temperature adjustment and heated seat controls – and there’s a rotating knob to raise and lower the volume. These items mark a significant departure from the poorly received touch-sensitive, multi-function panel in the current ID. line-up. The steering wheel also does away with touch sliders; they’re replaced by rotating thumbwheels and just four regular buttons. And in another small but significant move away from the ID.3’s interface, there are four electric-window controls for the driver – instead of just a pair and a front/rear selector.

The gear selector has been moved to a stalk mounted on the steering column – again, a simpler solution than the ID.3’s dash-integrated rocker switch – while between the front seats, there’s a dial controller that’s said to be for switching between the car’s drive modes.

The boot capacity is 440 litres – nearly 60 litres up on the ID.3, and more than 100 litres larger than many Polos – rising to 1,330 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The boot floor has an adjustable height and there’s also a novel 50-litre storage area beneath the second row; VW says while this lockable compartment has been conceived to house the charging cables, it could also be ideal for items like laptops, allowing them to be charged while they are stored.

VW is being open. about its fresh push into more affordable EVs. It says that within a year of the ID.2 all’s production launch, the new model will be joined by a similarly sized all-electric SUV, already previewed by the ID.2all SUV. And beyond these cars, it has also confirmed that it is working to deliver an even cheaper EV, with a proposed price of less than 20,000 euros. That’s believed to be a project, first detailed by Auto Express, that is being led by Skoda engineers – but it’s unlikely to bring vehicles to market until 2027 at the earliest.

Click here for our list of the best electric cars on sale right now…

Source: Read Full Article