Volkswagen charges ahead with electric range at Shanghai auto show

German marque Volkswagen is speeding up its charge into the heated EV sector in China, aspiring to fuel its newly gained momentum in the world's largest NEV market.

The namesake brand of Volkswagen AG, the world's second largest carmaker, made the world premiere of the latest member of the ID. family — the flagship ID.7 e-sedan — at the ID. Night, an event held on the eve of the Shanghai auto show that kicked off on Tuesday.

Volkswagen said the mid-size electric sedan paves the way for the future direction of the brand, offering digital experiences for a safer, more comfortable, and fun drive, including features such as smart air conditioning and a panoramic sunroof with smart glass.

In China, the model will be named ID.7 VIZZION and produced at FAW-Volkswagen in the second half of this year.

Here in the Chinese market, it will come equipped with the latest Travel Assist 3.0, as well as an updated augmented reality head-up display, as Volkswagen brings customers premium-level features in a volume brand.

Thomas Schaefer, CEO of Volkswagen Brand, said: "China is one of our most important markets. I am glad to finally be here. China is our single largest market and the world's most dynamic one at that."

Like most executives of global auto companies, the trip to the Shanghai auto show was the first visit he had paid to China for three years.

Yet in the past three years, China's NEV market has boomed with products and technologies rarely seen in other parts of the world.

"With 100 percent customer focus, we are investing heavily in e-mobility, covering design, production and R&D — especially here in China to meet the needs of our Chinese customers," said Schaefer.

"We want to make Volkswagen a real love brand — a brand that stirs emotions, one that is fun, that our customers can rely on and identify with proudly. This is what our ID.7 represents: 100 percent electric, 100 percent emotionally charged."

Currently, Volkswagen is the only volume international brand that sits on the list of China's most popular EV makers.

Yet it aspires to achieve a status like the one it has enjoyed in the era of gasoline vehicles over the past decades.

Stefan Mecha, Volkswagen Brand's China CEO, said: "Under our ACCELERATE China strategy, we are speeding up decision-making and strengthening software capabilities to provide our customers with what they want and expect from a Volkswagen.

"Our mission is 'In China, for China', to provide the best customer experiences at all times, and our ID. models do just that. The ID.7, and our entire ID. family, take everything our customers know and love about Volkswagen into the electric era — quality, safety, reliability, timeless design and accessible innovations."

Volkswagen is one of the first international carmakers to shift toward e-mobility.

Thanks to its MEB platform — the technical base for all ID. models — the ID. family comes in different shapes and sizes to suit all lifestyles.

During the brand's ID. Night, Volkswagen presented a complete lineup of all its models, including the iconic ID. Buzz and sporty ID.5 GTX, along with the currently available China portfolio made up of the ID.3, ID.4 CROZZ, ID.4 X, ID.6 CROZZ and ID.6 X.

The two ID.6 models are made exclusively for Chinese customers to provide the roominess that they demand for them and their families.

With the ID. family, the Volkswagen brand will drive into the future with Chinese customers, providing an ever-expanding lineup of models across different segments, as e-mobility becomes the default choice in China, said Volkswagen.

Also at the ID. Night, another joint venture, SAIC Volkswagen, revealed the ID. NEXT concept, offering a glimpse into the future.

Mecha said: "The future of Volkswagen is electric, intelligent, connected and green — and that is what our ID. family delivers."

However, it doesn't mean that Volkswagen will stop its internal combustion engine vehicles overnight. After all, they still account for roughly 75 percent of China's new car market.

At the Shanghai auto show, Volkswagen is showcasing a strong and diversified portfolio of 25 models, both electrified vehicles and gasoline-powered ones that are more efficient and digitalized.

One example is the recently launched Tharu SUV from SAIC Volkswagen. It sports the all-new 1.5T EVO II engine.

With a maximum output of 118 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 250 Newton meters, the new engine has increased its output by over 7 percent but cut fuel consumption by nearly 9 percent.

For tech-savvy customers, the model has a range of features such as the 10.25-inch digital LCD instrument cluster, 12-inch infotainment display and IQ. Connectivity, while safety is enhanced through features such as IQ. Light and IQ. DRIVE.

For customers looking for more adventure, the New Tharu also comes in a 2.0-liter turbo version with 4MOTION and seven driving modes — perfect for both city and off-road driving.

Mecha said: "We are deeply rooted in China, having gained the trust of over 40 million customers during almost 40 years of working with our joint ventures — FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen."

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn