by Volkswagen continues to do in China what it cannot do in other regions — produce electric vehicles and range-extender models that truly attract attention. The newest model is the ID.Era 8X, which features a modern, clean design and rich technological equipment.
Exterior design and dimensions
According to photos released by China’s MIIT, the 8X looks almost identical to the slightly larger 9X. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but on the road it could easily be mistaken for the flagship model. The front is adorned with an LED strip and daytime running lights, while the main headlight units are positioned vertically below them.
Other key elements include a glossy black radiator grille with active elements, black wheel arches, and black rearview mirrors. The rear also largely follows the design of the 9X, with a similar LED strip and an illuminated VW logo.
Dimensions
In terms of dimensions, the 8X has a length of 5020 mm, a width of 1997 mm, and a height of 1750 mm, with a wheelbase of 2970 mm. For comparison, the 9X is longer (5207 mm), has the same width and is slightly taller (1810 mm), with a larger wheelbase of 3070 mm.
Powertrain and versions
Four different versions of the ID.Era 8X will be available. All of them use a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as a range extender. The base version combines this engine with a 51.1 kWh battery and an electric motor, providing a total power of 295 hp (220 kW) and an all-electric range of up to 260 km.
A slightly lighter version with the same powertrain and battery increases the range to 275 km. Volkswagen will also offer two versions with a larger 65.2 kWh battery, allowing an all-electric range of 330 km and 345 km, respectively. The SUV’s weight will vary from 2485 kg to 2590 kg depending on the configuration.
Price and availability
Prices have not been announced yet. Full information and the sales launch date are expected later this year.
Interestingly, Volkswagen has chosen a strategy for the Chinese market that differs from its global one. Instead of offering purely electric models, the company is betting on hybrid systems with a range extender, which helps reduce range anxiety, especially in regions with underdeveloped charging infrastructure. The ID.Era 8X, with its impressive all-electric range of up to 345 km and the ability to use a gasoline engine for recharging, looks like a pragmatic solution for the modern Chinese buyer. The visual similarity to the flagship 9X could also be a marketing move to create a sense of premium quality even in the younger model.
