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So far, Volkswagen has introduced a variety of all-electric ID-badged cars but none of them are what you\u2019d call affordable for the mass-market. That is all set to change when the VW ID.2 comes along.<\/p>\n
The production version of the ID.2 has been previewed by the ID.2all concept. The ID.2all is VW\u2019s 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 \u201cless than 25,000 euros\u201d, but there\u2019s still hope that the car could cost from just under \u00a320,000 in the UK. When it arrives in 2025 it\u2019ll rival the likes of the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall\u2019s Corsa Electric, plus the upcoming Renault 5 EV.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The MEB Entry project is an offshoot from the MEB platform that delivered the likes of the VW ID.3 and Skoda\u2019s Enyaq \u2013 but it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The new concept is said to have been created in less than two months, under the guidance of VW\u2019s 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\u2019s latest brand boss Thomas Sch\u00e4fer within days of him starting in the position.<\/p>\n
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Even though the ID.2all won\u2019t go on sale for two more years, VW has taken the unusual step of confirming several of its key technical details. The concept\u2019s single front-mounted motor produces 223bhp \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
The front end and profile could easily pass for those of VW\u2019s conventionally powered supermini, although there\u2019s a single strong crease running along the flanks and the rear door handles are \u2018hidden\u2019 beyond the side windows. There\u2019s 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\u2019t make overt statements that it lacks a combustion engine.<\/p>\n
Mindt describes the new concept as \u201can homage to the Beetle, Golf and Polo\u201d 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\u2019ve already seen \u2013 certainly much more conventional than the ID.3 hatchback. It\u2019s 4,050mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,600mm \u2013 so a couple of centimetres shorter than the current Polo overall, but with five centimetres more between the front and rear axles.<\/p>\n
The ID.2 might be pitched as a more affordable ID offering, but that doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t come with some clever practicality solutions and impressive technology. We\u2019ve had a look around the ID.2all concept\u2019s minimalist cabin already.<\/p>\n
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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 \u2018Vintage\u2019 Golf era designed to mimic the dash of an old Golf, a \u2018Classic\u2019 mode which apes the readouts of the original Beetle, and a \u2018Modern\u2019 mode to reflect the latest design thinking for the ID.2.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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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 \u2013 and there\u2019s 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\u2019re replaced by rotating thumbwheels and just four regular buttons. And in another small but significant move away from the ID.3\u2019s interface, there are four electric-window controls for the driver \u2013 instead of just a pair and a front\/rear selector.<\/p>\n
The gear selector has been moved to a stalk mounted on the steering column \u2013 again, a simpler solution than the ID.3\u2019s dash-integrated rocker switch \u2013 while between the front seats, there\u2019s a dial controller that\u2019s said to be for switching between the car\u2019s drive modes.<\/p>\n
The boot capacity is 440 litres \u2013 nearly 60 litres up on the ID.3, and more than 100 litres larger than many Polos \u2013 rising to 1,330 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The boot floor has an adjustable height and there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
VW is being open. about its fresh push into more affordable EVs. It says that within a year of the ID.2 all\u2019s 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\u2019s believed to be a project, first detailed by Auto Express, that is being led by Skoda engineers \u2013 but it\u2019s unlikely to bring vehicles to market until 2027 at the earliest.<\/p>\n