The Volkswagen Group’s New Auto strategy presentation was quite eventful as it included design sketches of the Audi Artemis and VW Trinity flagships for the respective brands. It also detailed how the German automotive conglomerate will gradually switch to an all-electric lineup, with the ultimate goal being to have all EVs riding on the same SSP architecture.
Another juicy tidbit announced during the group-wide strategy presentation is the confirmation of an ID.8 model for the Volkswagen core brand. CEO Herbert Diess didn’t go into any details about the vehicle, other than mentioning it will be similar in size to the Atlas large SUV sold in North America as well as in China, Russia, and other markets where it’s known as the Teramont.
To get an idea of how big it will be, logic tells us the VW ID.8 will be larger than the three-row ID.6 electric SUV launched earlier this year in China. Pictured here, the zero-emissions people mover is 4,876 millimeters (192 inches) long or almost 300 mm (11.8 inches) longer than the two-row ID.4 sold globally. It features a generous wheelbase of 2,965 mm (116.7 in) and comes with a choice of six or seven seats.
As far as the gasoline-fueled Atlas, it stretches at an imposing 5,040 mm (198.3 in) and benefits from a generous wheelbase of 2,980 mm (117.3 in). It’s safe to assume the ID.8 will be a dedicated EV, which means that even if it will have the same footprint as the Atlas, it’s going to benefit from a more spacious cabin after removing the oily bits associated with ICE vehicles.
Herbert Diess published on his LinkedIn account the 20-page speech he had during the New Auto strategy presentation, and you can find the announcement regarding the ID.8 on page 10. It’s unclear when the model will arrive, especially since the Trinity sedan won’t be introduced to the market until 2026.
Meanwhile, the hotly anticipated ID. Buzz will finally be unveiled in 2022 for the European market in passenger and commercial configurations, with the United States getting only the passenger version in 2023. Also that year, VW is expected to introduce a production version of the ID. Space Vizzion to serve as the company’s first electric wagon.
Source: Herbert Diess / LinkedIn
