Home / Motoring / SUVs & Trucks

Could This Be What Future Volkswagens Will Look Like?

Although not for the US, VW’s latest flagship EV SUV could influence how its cars look around the world.

Rear view of a beige Volkswagen ID. UNYX 08 electric SUV with illuminated red taillights and black rear bumper.Volkswagen
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google
A black and white portrait of a smiling man with short, dark hair. He is wearing a light-colored blazer over a collared shirt. The background is plain and unobtrusive.

By Chris Chin

Published

·

Volkswagen just dropped an all-new, all-electric SUV in its largest market, China. It’s called the ID. UNYX 08, and while it’s not for US and has a name more befitting of a computer operating system, it could hold some clues about what’s to come.

As one of Volkswagen’s latest models, the ID. UNYX 08 is a part of the automaker’s electrification strategy. More so, it’s built specifically to cater to the Chinese market and their hugely competitive EV market.

Though, because China’s automotive industry is lightyears ahead of the rest of the world with its EVs, VW’s doubling down its efforts to grab a piece of that market share pie. That said, the China-only ID. UNYX 08 could potentially provide some hints as to what future VW models could look like globally.

Not actually a VW underneath

Beige Volkswagen electric SUV with black roof and geometric alloy wheels in a studio setting.
The Volkswagen ID. UNYX 08 is the company’s first-ever large SUV EV.
Volkswagen

Although it appears to be a radically new Volkswagen on the surface, the ID. UNYX 08 is a bit more complex. It’s actually a new EV cooperatively developed with China’s own Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology, or XPeng in short.

It’s a byproduct of VW’s efforts to sell EVs in China with minimal upstart costs. The joint venture could also potentially open up the doors for VW to benefit from advanced Chinese EV tech.

Black and beige Volkswagen alloy wheel with Pirelli tire and yellow Brembo brake caliper.
Made specifically for the Chinese market, the ID. UNYX 08 is actually the result of a joint venture with XPeng Motors.
Volkswagen

The ID. UNYX 08 is basically VW’s crack at making a large SUV EV. It’s described as being a “full-size” SUV that’s larger than the Touareg, but smaller than the North American market Atlas.

According to various reports, the ID. UNYX 08 boasts some serious EV specs, thanks to its Chinese-sourced technology.

Beige car door open with black side mirror and black trim details.
Although not for the US, it’s possible that some design features could influence VW models in the States.
Volkswagen

Such includes 800-volt architecture for the fastest charging speeds possible, a CATL-sourced state-of-the-art lithium-iron-phosphate battery and the choice of single- or dual-motor setups. The result is up to 500 total system horsepower and a driving range of at least 700 kilometers, or 435 miles.

Setting up for other markets to follow

In addition to being Volkswagen’s first large all-electric SUV, the ID. UNYX 08 dons fresh sheetmetal and design elements. It sets a new benchmark that other Volkswagen ID models in China will ultimately follow.

Beige modern SUV with black tinted windows and black-and-silver alloy wheels in a studio setting.
The ID. UNYX 08 is supposedly larger than the late Touareg, but smaller than the Atlas.
Volkswagen

However, because China is VW’s most influential market, its moves there could potentially determine what Volkswagens in other markets might look like.

It’s not uncommon for automakers to design and engineer their vehicles according to the demands and needs of their intended market. In fact, they’ve been doing it for nearly as long as they’ve existed.

Front close-up of a beige Volkswagen car showing slim LED daytime running lights and main headlights.
Take away the Volkswagen badges, and one would not be able to tell it’s a model from the People’s Car.
Volkswagen

It’s also not unusual or uncommon for automakers to trickle down technology, features and design elements from their leading market cars to their secondary market cars. For instance, if a design in China excels in that market, its success could influence designs of its cars in Europe or even North America.

That could very much be the case with the ID. UNYX 08. So, while we may not actually get the ID. UNYX 08 here in the States, don’t be surprised if future VW models seem familiar, all because they resemble models sold in other markets.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google