Volkswagen ID.Aero previews ID.6 EV sedan to take on Tesla Model 3

Volkswagen has revealed its ID.Aero, which is the brand’s all-electric answer to the Tesla Model 3 sedan.

While Volkswagen’s EV offensive has so far focused on a hatchback, SUVs and an EV version of the Kombi, the ID.Aero is a more traditional sedan, albeit with modern design cues and a sleek aerodynamically-optimised shape.

The ID.Aero is officially a concept for now but one Volkswagen describes as “close-to-production” – and a car planned to be sold around the world, including Europe, China and the US.

“With the ID.Aero show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. Family,” said Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. “A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kilometres, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior.”

Expected to be called the ID.6 (unrelated to the Chinese market-only ID.6 SUV) when it goes on sale overseas in 2023, the new electric sedan is also projected to eventually have a wagon sibling.

The car will be built in China and Germany and could for some buyers be an EV alternative to the Volkswagen Passat.

The ID.Aero has clean lines highlighted by a sweep down either side and enormous 22-inch wheels.

It has a coupe-inspired flow to the roof and a distinctive nose in line with other ID electric models.

The drag coefficient is 0.23 – identical to the Model 3 – and it is almost five metres long, which makes it larger.

The ID.Aero rides on the MEB architecture that underpins other Volkswagen electric models.

Beneath the skin is a 77kWh battery claimed to give up to 620km of WLTP range.

Volkswagen hasn’t detailed its electric drive system, but as with the Tesla Model 3 it is expected to get the choice of a single motor driving the rear wheels or two motors driving all four wheels.