Volkswagen Introduces New ID.6 Electric CUV

Volkswagen unveils the electric-powered ID.6 ahead of a planned public debut for the new CUV at the 2021 Shanghai auto show.

Originally previewed by the ID. Roomzz concept revealed at the 2019 Shanghai auto show, the ID.6 is produced at Volkswagen’s longstanding Chinese-market joint venture partners First Automobile Works (FAW) and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), respectively, as the ID.6 Crozz and ID.6 X exclusively for the Chinese market in a move mirroring that of the smaller ID.4.

Chinese deliveries are planned to begin by the end of 2021.

The ID.6 is the largest model yet to be based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Architecture (MEB) platform, measuring 192.0 ins. (4,877 mm) long, 72.8 ins. (1,849 mm) wide and 66.1 ins. (1,679 mm) tall.

This makes it 3.3 ins. (84 mm) shorter, 5.1 ins. (130 mm) narrower and 3.5 ins. (89 mm) lower than the German automaker’s U.S.-built combustion-engine Atlas CUV.

The ID.6’s wheelbase is 0.6 in. (15 mm) shorter than that of the Atlas at 116.7 ins. (2,964 mm).

Three versions of the new Volkswagen are planned. Included are two single-motor, rear-wheel-drive models with either 177 hp or 201 hp as well as a more powerful dual-motor, 4Motion all-wheel-drive model with 302 hp.

The range-topping 4Motion AWD model is claimed to deliver a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.6 seconds and limited 100 mph (161 km/h) top speed.

Buyers can choose between two lithium-ion batteries: 58k-Wh and 77-kWh (nett) units are offered on the rear-wheel-drive ID.6, with the all-wheel-drive model sold exclusively with the larger 77-kWh battery. Volkswagen quotes an official range of between 271 miles (436 miles) and 365 miles (588 km) on the Chinese NEDC test cycle.

The design of the production version of the ID.6 remains faithful to the ID. Roomzz, though details such as the earlier concept’s sliding rear doors have made way for more conventional front-hinged doors.

Like the ID.4, each of the ID.6 variants produced by FAW and SAIC receive subtle styling differences, most notably to their grille and headlamp design.

Inside, Volkswagen’s third dedicated ID. model offers either a standard two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat cabin layout.

Volkswagen’s ID. lineup will be further expanded with the planned April 28 unveiling of the ID.4 GTX, which will share its 302-hp AWD powertrain with the top-of-the-line ID.6.

VW ID.6 Crozz and ID.6 X