Volkswagen Group has been riding the gravy train in China for decades, but the days of dominance are over. The rise of domestic automakers with affordable, tech-laden cars is putting a serious dent in the balance sheets of legacy brands, forcing them to rethink their strategies.
As the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Audi recently entered into an agreement with SAIC to expand its existing partnership by creating a new local Audi brand that ditches the iconic four rings. Just as the colorless E5 Sportback looks completely different from Audi’s global lineup, Volkswagen’s new identity. The UNYX 08, developed in conjunction with XPENG, is visually unrelated to VW’s global models.
The EV represents a fresh design start for Volkswagen in China, introducing a style language developed specifically for the world’s largest car market. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we can all agree on ID. The UNYX 08 bears little resemblance to any current VW product. Without the badges, it would be borderline impossible to identify it as a Volkswagen.
Notable details include Brembo brakes and a wolf motif integrated into the third brake light. Split headlights and flush door handles are not surprising, as these features have been trending for some time. The frameless doors are a premium touch, though the blacked-out A-pillar and odd dark side trim may divide opinion.
Basically a production version of ID. The Evo Concept, UNYX 08 is a large electric SUV built by Volkswagen Anhui in China. At 196.9 inches (5,000 mm) long, it’s bigger than the Tauranga but shorter than the Atlas. Its dedicated EV platform allows for a significantly longer wheelbase than both gas-fueled models, at 119.2 inches (3,030 mm).
According to local reports, VW’s new China-only model shares a lot with the Penang G9. Documents from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirm that it has approved homologation and will be offered in single and dual motor variants, with the top-spec version delivering around 500 horsepower.
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Source: Volkswagen
Power comes from a kettle-supplied lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a range of over 435 miles (700 km), albeit measured under the laminate CLTC standard. VW has also touted 800-volt ultra-fast charging for this new China-engineered EV, developed at its largest R&D center outside of Germany. Sales are scheduled to begin in the first half of next year.
The ID UNYX 08 and E5 Sportback are two of about 30 electric vehicles that the VW Group plans to introduce in China by the end of the decade under its “in China, for China” initiative.
