New Volkswagen ID. Aero design sketches revealed

Volkswagen has revealed the first official sketches of its ID. Aero saloon, the brand’s bold new Tesla Model 3 rival. We’ve previously spied the all-electric model testing, but these new images confirm some key design details ahead of the model’s release next year. 

First shown as a concept, dubbed the ID. Vizzion at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the newcomer is now named the ID. Aero. It will be brought to the Chinese market in the second half of 2023, followed by the North American and European markets. 

As we expected the front of the ID. Aero will adopt a similar face to the rest of VW’s ID range. There’s a low nose to help aerodynamic efficiency that’s crucial to extending the EV’s range, while the headlight arrangement coupled with the light bar split by the VW badge is reminiscent of the ID. Buzz and ID.4. The blanked-off grille should further low the drag coefficient plus there are some aggressively large side air intakes, although we expect these to shrink for the production model.

The curved roof is similar to the shape seen on test cars, with a new chrome strip running from the A-pillar to the D-pillar, accentuating the shape. Also joining the front to the rear is a shoulder-line crease, something that’s become a trademark design cue of the German firm’s electric models. At the back there’s a full-width light bar with some intricate rear LED clusters. A small diffuser also mimics the one seen on the prototype ID Aero. 

Volkswagen has previously promised that the production saloon would be capable of 600km (327 miles) on a single charge, but with it utilising an updated form of the brand’s MEB platform, the Aero B could exceed this.

Earlier this year Volkswagen revealed “enhancements” for the MEB platform, which could appear for the first time on the Aero B. The new battery and motor system will be able to deliver 435 miles of range on a charge, while the MEB platform’s maximum recharge rate will be raised from 150kW to 200kW, so a 10-80 per cent top-up should take less than half an hour. Given the relatively long wheelbase of the Aero B, VW should be able to incorporate its biggest 77kWh battery without any trouble.

Performance should be increased too, with the potential for a hot four-wheel-drive GTX version offering a 0-62mph time of around 5.5 seconds. The current ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX SUVs put out 295bhp and 310Nm of torque, and this is the set-up most likely to appear in a GTX variant of the ID. Aero.

Eventually, Volkswagen will also launch an estate version of the ID. Aero, which was previewed by the ID. Space Vizzion concept from the 2019 Los Angeles Motor Show. This car was fitted with a dual-motor electric powertrain, which produces a more potent 335bhp, which would align closely with the expected performance of a GTX model. 

Inside, we expect the ID. Aero will feature the same compact digital dashboard and 10-inch infotainment system as the rest of Volkswagen’s MEB-based models, with the potential for a larger 12-inch screen to feature on high-spec editions.

Click here to read about the upcoming Volkswagen ID.3 GTX electric hot hatch…