Volkswagen is now telling the rest of the ID. CODE story. The concept car presented in Beijing in 2024 charted the course in terms of design, innovations and customer benefit. Building on this, the brand is now unveiling three new concept cars at Auto Shanghai together with its Chinese joint venture partners. The ID. AURA (from FAW-Volkswagen), the ID. ERA (from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN) and the ID. EVO (from Volkswagen Anhui) are representative of a new generation of smart electric vehicles and give a preview of the product strategy for the coming years. Volkswagen plans to bring out over 30 new models (including 20 NEVs) in the relevant segments of the Chinese market through the end of 2027. These will include production versions of the concept cars now being presented in Shanghai, whose design and technologies have been specifically tailored to the needs of Chinese customers.

“The three concept vehicles are the visible outcome of our ‘In China, for China’ strategy. We have thus made all the necessary preparations to remain in pole position among foreign automakers in China,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand.

At the Volkswagen Group Night held on Tuesday evening Chinese time, the ID. AURA, ID. ERA and ID. EVO were presented to the public for the first time. Along with a host of other Volkswagen models, the concept cars will be on display at Auto Shanghai until the beginning of May. The three cars belong to the group of new energy vehicles (NEVs). In China, this category includes all-electric vehicles, as well as models with plug-in hybrid and range extender drives.

All production versions of the concept cars presented in Shanghai will be equipped with AI-based systems for highly automated driving. The vehicles can thus reach Level 2++ as early as next year, which means in certain situations cars will be able to drive fully autonomously – including overtaking and turning maneuvers and independently merging into traffic – with the driver’s supervision.

“Over the next three years, we will bring out more than 20 state-of-the-art NEVs alone with forward-looking technologies to cater to all our different customers in China. With our ‘In China, for China’ strategy we will now realize our full potential and demonstrate our innovative strength at local level,” underlined Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand for China.

“We picked up ‘China speed’ with our new development center in Hefei. Our goal is to develop our models within 34 months at most. We will launch the right models at the right speed and with the right partners. The three concept vehicles meet the different technological requirements of Chinese customers with their all-electric drive systems for the volume and full-size segments and range extender technology,” commented Thomas Ulbrich, CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Center (VCTC).

Volkswagen has also integrated the needs of Chinese customers into the design; however much the three concept vehicles presented in Shanghai differ from one another in their design language, they are still clearly recognizable as genuine Volkswagen models. “The ID. CODE show car we exhibited in Beijing last year was the jumping-off point for our new design direction in China,” Head Designer Andreas Mindt recalled. “We have refined this in recent months and adapted it specifically for each of our joint ventures.”

Overview of the three concept vehicles

The ID. ERA from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, a spacious full-size SUV with three rows of seats, gives a preview of Volkswagen’s first model featuring range extender technology. A fuel-powered generator charges the battery while driving and provides an additional range of over 700 kilometers. Together with the 300-kilometer range in battery mode, the concept car can thus travel more than 1,000 kilometers.

The ID. EVO from Volkswagen Anhui is targeted at young, lifestyle-conscious buyers who are keen to set themselves apart from the crowd. Based on an 800-volt platform, the ID. EVO is the first all-electric full-size SUV in Volkswagen’s ID. UNYX family. The concept vehicle is fitted out with a high-performance zonal electronic architecture that not only facilitates a wide range of new digital services but also continuously expands the customer experience with over-the-air updates at short intervals.

The ID. AURA from FAW-Volkswagen is the first concept vehicle to be based on the Compact Main Platform (CMP) with zonal electronic architecture which Volkswagen designed specifically for the Chinese market. Through its AI-based high computing capacity, the system for highly automated driving that is used on this platform raises the bar for smart yet natural driving behavior. The electric notchback concept has been developed in particular for customers in the price-conscious A-segment, combining modern technology with dynamic design. A UI/UX concept similar to a smartphone is built into the center console of the vehicle. The AI-based humanoid assistant enables seamless control of vehicle functions and infotainment.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The “In China, for China” strategy of the Volkswagen brand is taking on visible form: At this year’s Auto Shanghai (April 23 to May 2), one of the world’s most important motor shows, VW’s three Chinese joint ventures will present electric concept cars. The spotlight is on an electric notchback model from FAW-Volkswagen, an electric SUV in the B segment with extended range due to range-extender technology (EREV) from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN as well as an all-electric SUV from Volkswagen Anhui. All three concept cars embody Volkswagen’s new China DNA – both in terms of technology and design and in relation to development time, which has been cut by more than 30 percent.

The concept cars unveiled in Shanghai all belong to the group of new energy vehicles (NEVs). In China, this category includes all-electric vehicles, as well as models with plug-in hybrid and range extender drives. In the group of NEVs alone, Volkswagen will launch over 20 models by 2027 – allowing the company to provide the right (part-) electric offering for all customers.

“Our ‘In China, for China’ strategy has put us on the right path. Our aim is to remain the leading international automaker in China – even in the age of the intelligent connected vehicle,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “We have everything that it takes to be successful: shorter development times, strong partners, sophisticated local development, production and infrastructure as well as the right products and innovations for our Chinese customers. That’s exactly what we will prove with our near-production concept cars in Shanghai.”

Andreas Mindt, Head Designer of the Volkswagen brand, comments: “We have adapted our established European design values – stability, likability and the ‘secret sauce’ – to the Chinese market. The result is a design philosophy that honors the heritage of our brand while at the same time reflecting the desires and expectations of a new generation of customers in China.”

The Auto Shanghai trade fair has been held every two years since 1985, alternating with Auto China in Beijing. They are the biggest motor shows in the world. This year, the trade fair in Shanghai goes from April 23 to May 2, with the first two days reserved for journalists. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected at the trade fair venue of the Chinese metropolis of millions on the eight days open to the public. Two years ago, over 1,000 exhibitors from 17 countries presented their products and services on around 360,000 sqm.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is expanding its gaming offering in selected models. The PAC-MAN Championship Edition is now available in the optional AirConsole03 In-Car App for playing on the infotainment display in a parked vehicle. A smartphone serves as the controller. Volkswagen is the first automotive manufacturer to dynamically combine the new game with the vehicle’s background lighting and, for compatible ID. models, also with ID. Light as an option. This means that an even more immersive gaming experience is created specifically by the interior lighting responding to the game content and inputs by the players.

The PAC-MAN Championship Edition retains the well-known and popular game principle from the 1980s: PAC-MAN eats dots in a labyrinth while trying to avoid being caught by ghosts. Once all the dots have been eaten, the next level begins. The icons for bonus points and power pellets have been redesigned. More points are awarded for touching silhouettes of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, VW Bus and Golf IV R32, brands such as GTI, GTX or R and Volkswagen wheel rims. Anyone who wants to fight the Ghost Gang should look for power pellets in the form of the Volkswagen brand logo.

AirConsole is the world’s first gaming platform specifically designed for cars. The in-car app can transform compatible Volkswagen vehicles into a gaming station including the infotainment, sound and background lighting system. The portfolio of games is tailored to casual players of any age. With the implementation of the further gaming offering, Volkswagen is also responding to customer feedback from drivers. With partners N-Dream and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., in-car gaming becomes a new social experience, and playing a classic game such as PAC-MAN connects generations. Volkswagen is additionally further enhancing the overall digital experience.

The AirConsole in-car app is available in many European countries in the ID. models ID.7, ID.5, ID.4 and ID.3 (from ID. Software 4.0 in each case) as well as for the Tayron, Tiguan, Passat, Golf Variant and Golf models from model year 2025. Playing while parked requires a Volkswagen ID user account, an active VW Connect Plus contract and an active internet connection on the smartphone. The AirConsole in-car app must be downloaded from the In-Car Shop before it can be used for the first time.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

03. Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen) provides access to AirConsole with this In-Car App. Volkswagen is not responsible for the provision of the AirConsole content. N-Dream AG provides the games under its own responsibility. The use of AirConsole games is governed by the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy of N-Dream AG. Information on data processing for the purpose of transferring data to N-Dream AG can be found in the VW Connect Privacy Policy

Volkswagen is celebrating its heritage and fans this spring by offering a free tattoo to anyone who orders a new car. 

The one-day offer is called All-ink from Volkswagen – echoing the name of the existing All-in from Volkswagen package that gives customers servicing peace of mind. The offer was inspired by the many loyal Volkswagen fans online, who celebrate their love for the brand and its cars with elaborate tattoos.

New Volkswagen customers will be able to roll up their sleeves and join this growing community of fans. Tattoo artists will be armed and ready to ink designs for anyone ordering a new Volkswagen at a UK Retailer on 1 April. Customers can request their own bespoke designs, perhaps including the VW logo, the Polo badge – to celebrate that car’s 50th anniversary – GTI tartan, a Beetle, a Golf with turbo ink-jection… or how about the letters ID. or something to celebrate a favourite feature, such as the atmosphere icons from the new Wellness in-car app, the phrase ‘hello IDA’ or super-comfy massage seats developed with the help of leading orthopaedic specialists?

Top-notch tattoo aftercare will also be provided, tatisfaction-guaranteed, in line with Volkswagen’s promise of great customer service and the popular All-in from Volkswagen package, which provides motoring peace of mind with servicing, MOT tests and Roadside Assistance (subject to terms).

“We really want to get under the skin of how people identify – or ID. – with Volkswagen, and paint a picture of their loyalty and commitment to the brand,” said Tatiana Prankster, Fabrication Process Manager at Volkswagen UK. “We have an inkling that many customers will draw on the brand’s long heritage for their tattoo designs, while some may want to commemorate the moment they go electric and commit to a change of fuel this April.”

The All-ink from Volkswagen offer is available until midday on Tuesday 1 April.

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk