VW Confirms €20,000 Electric Vehicle for 2027, Says More Is on the Way

5 months, 2 weeks ago - 31 May 2024, autoevolution

Volkswagen has been in the electric vehicle game for plenty of time, and it has come to realize that one of the biggest drawbacks of such models, besides the poor autonomy (in some cases) and lengthy charging times, is the high pricing.

Electric vehicles tend to cost much more than similarly sized ICE-powered cars, so Volkswagen is planning to address this issue by launching a tiny EV. The brand's management board has already given this ride the green light for production, and the model is due in four years.

Mind you, this is not the usual report or rumor. Confirmation came directly from the Volkswagen Group, which said that the world premiere of the yet-unnamed tiny EV has been set for 2027. The new model will "set standards in the entry-level segment in terms of technology, design, quality, and customer experience," according to VW's CEO, Thomas Schafer.

VW Group's head honcho, Oliver Blume, said he is "very pleased" that they are "launching a future-oriented project,” adding that "it is about entry-level electric mobility from Europe to Europe" and stating that they are combining "a clear commitment to Europe as an industrial location, a European industrial policy, and ultimately act in the interests of European customers."

These are some big words from the company responsible for the famous Dieselgate scandal, and it appears that they're drawing a clear line between their past and their future selves.

Besides revealing absolutely no information about the upcoming tiny EV, other than that it will debut in 2027, sit in the "entry-level segment," and start at €20,000 (equal to $21,740), Volkswagen has also released a shadowy rendering of the future model. It looks like a combination between the ID.3 compact hatchback and the Up! city car and it will likely be a battery-electric successor to the latter.

Thus, it will enter the city car class and will have small proportions with room for five, although three will likely be a crowd on the rear bench. This vehicle has a high window line, a roof that is a tiny bit arched towards the rear, a spoiler mounted above the tailgate, short front and rear overhangs, and what appear to be muscular wheel arches.

Volkswagen may christen it the ID.1, as it will clearly be smaller than the upcoming subcompact model previewed by the ID.2 Concept, which is expected to arrive by the end of next year. The Volkswagen Group says its core brands will also be present in the sub-€25,000 (equaling $27,175) category starting late 2025, with two new models, one from VW and the other from Cupra. Skoda and VW are also planning two small crossovers. All will feature battery-electric power and will be assembled in Spain.