Volkswagen ID.6 electric SUV fully revealed

This is the Volkswagen ID.6 SUV, the newest and largest edition to the brand's ID electric family. Built and sold exclusively in China, the seven-seater electric SUV will launch later this year as a rival to the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and upcoming BMW iX.

This is the first car Volkswagen has developed specifically for a single market, tailoring it to the needs of Chinese consumers in terms of design, functionality and space. The ID.6 will be one of eight Volkswagen ID. electric cars to be available in China by 2023.

The ID.6 will be available in two trim levels: ID.6 Crozz (orange) and ID.6 X (purple). The Crozz has a more off-road focused look, with a different front bumper, and aluminum front and rear scuff plates. The X is more conventional, but both models feature rear and headlight designs exclusive to the ID.6.

The car is based on the now-familiar MEB platform that underpins the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback and Volkswagen ID.4 SUV. Four different powertrains will be available, using either a 58 or 77kWh battery, and a choice of rear or all-wheel drive. Range will vary depending on motor and battery size, but will run from 271 to 365 miles according to the NEDC test still used for the Chinese market, which tends to produce more optimistic results than the WLTP system used in Europe.

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The all-wheel-drive, or 4MOTION, versions will produce 297bhp and have a 6.6-second 0-62mph time. Details on the rear-drive versions have not been officially announced yet, and neither has information on charging capabilities or times. However, as the ID.6 is built on the MEB platform, we predict it’ll have the same 125kW charging speed as the ID.4. Similarly, it should take around 12 hours to charge using a home wallbox.

At 4.88 metres long, the ID.6 is 30cm longer than the ID.4, and can also accommodate seven people thanks to a third row of seats. The rest of the interior shares a lot with other members of the ID. family, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen, voice control, ambient lighting and numerous active safety systems. There's also an optional augmented-reality head-up display.

ID.6s will be available with a choice of 19 to 21-inch alloy wheels, and come as standard with a panoramic sunroof. An openable sunroof will be an optional extra. Prices for the ID.6 have not been announced. Volkswagen is aiming to introduce a new car on its electric MEB platform every year for the foreseeable future. The company's goal is for 70% of its sales in Europe to be electric by 2030, and at least 50% in China and North America.