Volkswagen’s smallest electrical car at current is the ID.3 compact hatchback but it surely begins at greater than 35,000 euros (roughly $41,500) in most markets the place it is bought, placing it out of attain for consumers on a funds.

VW is dedicated to creating electrical mobility inexpensive and used this week’s Munich auto present to preview an EV due in 2025 that may begin at round 20,000 euros. The preview got here within the type of an idea dubbed the ID.Life.

The idea is a battery-electric subcompact crossover and in manufacturing will seemingly go by the title ID.2. A good smaller ID.1 hatchback may type a part of VW’s EV portfolio in some unspecified time in the future, although VW is but to verify such a car for manufacturing.

The ID.2 relies on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform designed for mainstream EVs and incorporates a single electrical motor on the entrance axle producing a peak 230 hp, or sufficient for 0-62 mph acceleration in 6.9 seconds. A 57-kilowatt-hour battery sits within the flooring and offers a spread of about 250 miles on the WLTP cycle used outdoors the U.S. This could measure about 200 miles when rated by the EPA.

To make sure costs can stay in verify, VW has stored the design so simple as doable to keep away from producton complexity. Important driving capabilities are managed by way of a contact panel on the steering wheel, and a smartphone can be utilized for the navigation and infotainment system. Further options can then be added, at additional value, for anybody who wants them. VW has hinted at options like a big display for watching motion pictures or taking part in video video games.

VW will even have the ability to profit from economies of scale by having comparable automobiles to the ID.Life launched by different VW Group manufacturers. There is a good likelihood Audi launches a associated car dubbed the A2, and Spain’s Cupra additionally used the Munich auto present to current an MEB-based electrical subcompact crossover idea within the type of the UrbanRebel (proven above). The Cupra idea can also be confirmed to spawn a manufacturing mannequin in 2025.

VW sees inexpensive choices just like the ID.Life as key to reaching a objective of getting EVs account for 70% of its gross sales in Europe by 2030, and 50% in China and North America by the identical date.

For extra from the Munich auto present, head to our devoted hub.