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    Volkswagen Entry-Level EV Teased – India Launch Likely?

    Volkswagen Entry-Level EV TeasedUnderpinned by the MEB platform, Volkswagen’s affordable electric car is expected to go on sale as ID.1 or ID.One
    As part of its renewed growth strategy, Volkswagen is working on multiple new products for global markets. A total of nine new models are planned for launch by 2027. One of these is an entry-level EV, which will work as an electric replacement for the discontinued VW Up hatchback. Let’s take a look at the details revealed in the first teaser.
    Volkswagen Entry-Level EV Teased
    As seen in the teaser, an elegant design with distinctive lighting elements appears to be the primary highlight of the front fascia. The headlamp setup features a unique rectangular lighting signature, framed by bracket-shaped LED elements on either side. Overall look and feel is further enhanced with vertically stacked LED DRLs on the bumpers.
    Another attraction is the illuminated Volkswagen logo. The EV has curvy body panelling and flowing lines. These are visually appealing and also designed to improve aerodynamics. The fenders appear muscular and well-defined, adding a dash of ruggedness to the EV. The bonnet is flat, ensuring a clean, uncluttered look while enhancing airflow.
    Also visible are compact rear-view mirrors, likely featuring integrated turn signals. Not much is revealed beyond that point in the teaser. Side profile could get features such as body-coloured door handles, door side moulding and sporty alloy wheels. At the rear, the lighting signature will be similar to the front.
    Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all Concept – For Reference
    Based on MEB platform
    Volkswagen’s new entry-level EV will be part of the fully electric ID product family. This range has been a major success, with over 1.35 million ID cars sold globally since 2019. The new entry-level EV will be based on the MEB platform. It is a shortened version of the one used with the ID.2all hatchback.
    With affordability in mind, the new EV is expected to get a compact battery pack and a single motor setup. To achieve economies of scale, the platform and powertrain are likely to be shared with similar products from sister brands such as Skoda and SEAT. For its entry-level EV, Volkswagen is thinking about a starting price of around €20,000 (approx. Rs 18 lakh).
    At this price point, the new EV can target a wide segment of user groups in Europe. Talking about production, Volkswagen is yet to finalize the plant where the new entry-level EV will be manufactured. However, the company has mentioned that its Wolfsburg plant will be one of the hubs for its new electric cars. New-gen electric Golf and the high-volume electric T-Roc will be manufactured at the Wolfsburg plant.
    New Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all Concept
    Volkswagen entry-level EV – India launch prospects
    It is not certain when Volkswagen will introduce its new entry-level EV in India. As per current plans, Volkswagen is working on other EVs for the Indian market. These will be based on a localized version of the CMP architecture. Volkswagen has started work on the India Main Platform or IMP, which is for EVs. It is a derivative of the China Main Platform (CMP). Upcoming EV launches from Volkswagen for India include a compact and a midsize electric SUV. More

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    Mahindra Volkswagen Eye Electric Future with New 50:50 Joint Venture

    Mahindra Volkswagen 50:50 Partnership Confirmed?Strategic Collaboration to Focus on Electric SUVs for Indian and Global Markets, Excluding Current Volkswagen and Skoda Models
    There have been rumours about a strategic joint venture between Mahindra Auto and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL). Now, a new Economic Times report claims that SAVWIPL has reached advanced stages of negotiations to consolidate a 50:50 partnership with Mahindra Auto. Let’s take a look.
    Mahindra Volkswagen Group – 50:50 Partnership
    A wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group Germany, SAVWIPL was reportedly looking forward to sell around 50% of its stake in India business. While the speculation was not officially confirmed, new report reveals a potential 50:50 partnership with Mahindra Auto. This potential joint venture from both these car manufacturers is supposedly in advanced stages of negotiations. This JV seems to have progressed across multiple rounds of virtual and in-person engagements from both companies.
    This comes a couple of months after Skoda Auto Global CEO, Klaus Zellmer, revealed in Prague, that the company has made great progress in looking for a potential partnership with an Indian auto manufacturer. On record, both Mahindra and Volkswagen have refrained from commenting on this development officially. The report further elaborates that this joint venture between VW and Mahindra will prioritize the development and manufacturing of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) and to some extent, ICE vehicles, for Indian market and exports.
    SAVWIPL’s current portfolio including the mainstream offerings from Skoda and VW along with luxury offerings from other brands in the structure will not be a part of this joint venture. There might be an official announcement regarding the same from Skoda and Mahindra by the end of this calendar year.
    Mahindra BE.05 Electric SUV
    What does this JV allow?
    This is not the first time Mahindra has partnered with global brands. Mahindra has had associations with Renault, SsangYong (now KG Mobility), Ford and recently, Volkswagen. Mahindra and Volkswagen partnered up for a supply agreement where VW supplied the former with electric vehicle powertrain components for the INGLO platform underpinning the upcoming XUV.e and BE range of EVs.
    For SAVWIPL, this partnership could help them achieve a firm footing in world’s 3rd largest car market. Something the company has not managed to achieve on its own, despite being operational here for over two decades. The competition from rival brands along with their cost competitiveness seems to have cornered the brand into looking for a potential partner.
    With Mahindra, SAVWIPL will be able to share costs, technology, platforms and mainly, risks. For Mahindra, this JV can help them elevate their electric vehicle portfolio and meet their roadmap of achieving a 30% market share in India’s SUV segment. There will be a major boost in Mahindra’s Electric portfolio with this JV too.
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    New Volkswagen Small Electric Car Debuts – 450 Km Range, 4.05m Length

    Volkswagen’s new small electric car – ID 2all will ride on an MEB Entry platform making it the first ID model to sport a front wheel drive formatNew Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all ConceptVolkswagen has previewed its upcoming electric small car called the ID.2all. Currently a concept, it is only slated to be launched sometime in 2025 with sales to commence from early 2026. This electric car is among a host of new EVs planned for launch by the automaker among which will be the new ID.3, long-wheelbase ID. Buzz, and ID.7Volkswagen ID 2all Concept – Small Electric Car For The New GenVolkswagen ID.2all is slated to come in at a base price of under 25,000 euros ($26,331 / Rs 22 Lakh). Showcased in a concept format, this new ID.2all is different from the ID.Life that made its debut in September 2021. It will boast of a futuristic design and will be based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform for front-wheel-drive models.New Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all ConceptThis will make it the first VW offering to come in as a FWD MEB model. Dimensions will stand at 4,050mm in length, 1,812 mm in width and 1,530mm in height. It will have a wheelbase of 2,600mm, just an inch less that that seen on the Golf Mk8.Where exterior styling is concerned, the Volkswagen ID 2all concept will sport an LED light bar spanning its full width in the front. It will also see massive wheel arches and will ride on 20 inch wheels fitted with 225/40 R20 tyres. On board features will also include a straight window line, concealed door handles, new C pillars and the rear bumper with a prominent black diffuser.New Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all ConceptThe interiors will show off a clear and spacious cabin with a host of driver and passenger comforts and conveniences. The 5 seater model will sport rear seats in a 40:60 split, passenger seat backrest that can be folded down, storage space under the boot floor and in the form of a lockable 50 liter storage area under rear seats.New Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all ConceptInfotainment will be via a 12.9 inch touchscreen system. It will also receive air conditioning panels, wireless charging smartphone pads, multi-function steering wheel, 10.9 inch digital cockpit screen and a head up display unit. Advanced system will also include Travel Assist and Park Assist along with massaging electric seats and a panoramic sunroof.Volkswagen ID 2all battery capacity and range, specsVolkswagen ID 2all concept will draw power via a front mounted motor offering 222 hp power. This is the same as that offered on the base Volkswagen Golf GTI. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in under 7 seconds while it is expected to offer a range of 450 kms on the WLTP test cycle.New Volkswagen Small Electric Car – ID. 2all Concept SpecsBattery capacity has not yet been revealed but charging from 10-80 percent can be achieved in 20 minutes via a DC fast charger. Buyers will also get the option of home charging through an 11 kW charger.Along with the other VW electric models being planned, the Volkswagen ID 2all is set to be produced at the Spain plant which is run by Volkswagen Group brand Seat from 2026. Volkswagen will also launch an even smaller electric car, which will sit below the ID2 all. It is expected to be the size of the Polo, and could be launched as Polo electric in the future. More

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    New Volkswagen Electric Car Spied Near Pune – 2023 Launch?

    VW ID.4 could get different powertrain options with a RWD or an AWD variant when launched in IndiaNew Volkswagen Electric Car Spied – ID.4 GTXVolkswagen was in the news recently as it is providing a license to Mahindra for its proprietary MEB platform. Mahindra calls it the INGLO platform and the five electric cars that were showcased on August 15th, will be based on this platform. Mahindra is the second customer for Volkswagen for their MEB platform after Ford.But Volkswagen also seems to be eyeing the growing EV popularity in India. If they are supplying Mahindra with MEB components in India, they might as well launch a vehicle with that very platform in India that might set a precedent for future OEMs that might source MEB platforms from Volkswagen Groups.In that regard, we have seen Skoda Enyaq iV 80X variant with 77 kWh battery undergoing testing on road in Pune, Maharashtra. But now, we also have spotted VW ID.4 GTX that also gets the same 77 kWh battery too. Let’s take a look.New Volkswagen Electric Car SpiedRecently spotted, the ID.4 GTX is the high-performance variant. ID.4 looks just like the rest of Volkswagen’s ID lineup. It is based on VW’s ID Crozz concept that was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. It is currently manufactured in Chattanooga, USA and also in China outside Germany.New Volkswagen Electric Car Spied – ID.4 GTXThe GTX variant that is spotted in India is instantly recognisable with its red shade with its interesting dual-tone alloy wheels. These wheels are 20” though which is a size larger than Skoda Enyaq’s 19”. Volkswagen always positions itself as the premium offering above Skoda and below Audi. Speaking of Audi, Q4 e-tron is also the same car underneath too along with Skoda Enyaq.New Volkswagen Electric Car Spied – ID.4 GTXBoth VW ID.4 GTX and Skoda Enyaq iV 80X are spotted testing in India completely undisguised. Imports are generally not camouflaged while testing, as we saw with the ID.4’s rival Kia EV6. But that generally doesn’t mean that a launch is imminent. Manufacturers might also be testing only some of their components or their powertrain.Mahindra’s INGLO platform is based on VW’s MEB global scalable platform. This platform also underpins VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq too. It is likely that they are testing this platform for Indian conditions with both these test mules.New Volkswagen Electric Car Spied – ID.4 GTXSpecs & PricingBecause they’re imports, we’re likely to only get top-spec trims like GTX on ID.4 and 80X on Enyaq. VW ID.4 GTX gets a 77 kWh battery pack that is capable of dishing out 302 bhp. Claimed range is 418 km for North American markets and 522 km in WLTP cycle. ID.4 is 4,584mm long and has 2,765mm of wheelbase. Which makes it roughly the size of Harrier and the likes. ID.5 is a coupe variant of ID.4 and is slightly longer.Volkswagen Electric Car ID.4 GTX is likely to get the same set of features that the global model gets. When launched, ID.4 GTX will rival Kia EV6, recently launched Volvo XC40 Recharge and upcoming Ioniq 5 along with ID.4’s Czech cousin Enyaq (if launched). Right now, we have Tata Nexon EV that tops the charts while XUV400 Electric is set to debut on September 8th.  More