With the world premiere June 27 of the ID. AERO concept car in China, Volkswagen gave some hints about the brand’s first global fully-electric sedan.

The future model will be positioned in the premium mid-size sedan segment. Its progressive, aerodynamic design also allows for more interior space. The production version for China is expected to go on sale in the second half of 2023, and VW also plans to start production of a European series version in Emden in 2023.

The ID. AERO is equipped with a powerful lithium-ion battery with a net energy content of 77 kWh. Thanks to the interaction of the efficient drive system and the excellent aerodynamic properties, the ID. AERO achieves WLTP ranges of up to 385 miles, making it suitable for long distances. [WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, and is the most recent testing process for measuring new car fuel economy, electric driving range and emissions. It came about in 2017 to replace the previous NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test that had been around since the 1980s].

“With the ID. AERO show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of our electric vehicle family,” said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, in a news release. “We are intensively driving forward the electrification of our model range. Following the ID.4, this model will be our next global car for Europe, China and the U.S.”

The concept vehicle is more than 16 feet long and designed based on aerodynamic principles. The roof slopes elegantly to the rear like a coupe’s and contributes to achieving an excellent drag coefficient of 0.23. Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) additionally permits short overhangs, a long wheelbase and an exceptionally spacious vehicle interior.

Electric Offensive in China

With the close-to-production ID. AERO concept car, Volkswagen is stepping up its electric offensive in China as part of its ACCELERATE strategy. The production version of the ID. AERO will be the fourth all-electric model series in China, with expected availability in the second half of 2023. Two versions are planned there — one for each Volkswagen joint venture. Based on its regional strategy, Volkswagen aims to become the leading supplier of sustainable vehicles in China. As early as 2030, it is planned that at least every second vehicle sold in China will be an electric vehicle.

Volkswagen is driving forward its electric offensive worldwide on the Way to ZERO. As the new flagship model of the electric vehicle family, the ID. AERO will therefore be offered globally in future — in Europe and North America in addition to China.

The ID. AERO transfers the design language of Volkswagen’s electric vehicles to a premium mid-size sedan for the first time. The aerodynamically designed front end and roof ensure that air flows optimally over the vehicle. The air flow is calmed by the slightly drawn-in rear end designed to separate the airflow. The sporty 22-inch two-tone wheels are integrated flush into the wheel housings. Classic door handles are replaced by illuminated touch surfaces, which reduce the drag even further. At the top of the side profile, the bold tornado line and downward sloping roof line are highlights. The powerful shoulder section of the ID. AERO is located above the tornado line. These lines make the electric sedan appear lower and give it a dynamic look.

The production version of the ID. AERO for Europe is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in the Emden plant in 2023. With volume production of electric vehicles, Emden will be one of the first Volkswagen plants of this kind in Lower Saxony and will make a decisive contribution to electrifying the model range and reducing the carbon emissions of the overall new vehicle fleet.