Three battery packs, with different outputs and ranges.
German carmaker Volkswagen are very excited about the spearhead of their electrification strategy, the I.D. Hatch. After being shown to the world as a concept, the I.D. Hatch has since evolved into a more production-ready form (but not quite finished), and Volkswagen’s screwed down some specifics to share with the world.
It’s been reported that the I.D. Hatch, when it arrives in 2019 (and referred to internally as ‘Neo’), will pack no less than three battery capacities, with each battery pack offering different performance numbers in terms of both output and operating range. This is part of VW’s aim to bring electrification to all, in true ‘people’s car’ fashion.
“We will have three different ranges of I.D. hatchback, to allow for different budgets. The entry-level car will have a WLTP range of 330km, and it will also have limited performance. If people want faster cars then I don’t want them coming back after three months telling me it’s fast, but that the range is too short. So if you want a fast car, you’ll need a bigger battery.” — Christian Senger, Head of Product Line (E-Mobility), Volkswagen AG
This was revealed to UK publication AutoExpress, who said that the entry-level I.D. hatch will come with a 48kWh battery that’ll match a generously-specced Volkswagen Golf in price.
However, Senger was more forthcoming talking about the mid-spec I.D. hatchback, which we think will rack up the most sales volume.
“For the mid-spec [I.D. hatchback], we have actually exceeded our target [range] which was 400km. It’s more than that, closer to 450km. And we’re still finalising what the range-topping battery capacity will be.” — Christian Senger, Head of Product Line (E-Mobility), Volkswagen AG
Senger also talked about how buyers can expect to secure their own I.D. hatchback, saying that buyers will benefit from a simplified purchase experience, thanks to the simplified packaging and mechanics that come with electric cars. This is also part of VW’s strategy to be cost-efficient, which will also benefit consumers.
“There will still be enough versions of the I.D., but it will be much less complex. You’ll still be able to choose different colours and specs of seats, but you won’t get thousands of permutations that come with, say, a combustion-engined Golf. Complexity costs, and you have to remember that our goal with I.D. is ‘Electric for All.’” — Christian Senger, Head of Product Line (E-Mobility), Volkswagen AG
The Volkswagen I.D. should prove quite the hit when it touches down next year. With its long wheelbase (some 20cm longer than a Golf) and intelligent packaging, the I.D. will be able to offer Passat-levels of cabin room with a footprint no larger than something a size smaller. And once the I.D. hatch arrives, the floodgates will open, and the MEB platform will proceed to be used liberally across the Volkswagen Group’s mass-market brands like Skoda and Seat, as part of VWG’s plans of getting 27 pure-electric MEB-based models on showroom floors by 2022.
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