Volkswagen ID. Unyx 09 Launches in China From About €24,000

Volkswagen has officially put the ID. Unyx 09 on sale in China, and the price is lower than announced during pre-orders. The electric sedan starts at 179,900 yuan, roughly €24,000, compared with 199,900 yuan at the pre-order stage. The cut is aimed at winning customers from very competitive local rivals.

A 5.08-metre sedan built with Xpeng

The ID. Unyx 09 is an all-new model, 5.08 metres long, developed in close cooperation with Xpeng. Volkswagen is keeping the range simple: two versions, both with a single 92 kWh battery and a full equipment list.

The entry-level rear-drive version produces 313 hp and is rated at 755 km on the CLTC cycle. The dual-motor version adds a 190 hp electric motor on the front axle for all-wheel drive, with range falling to 705 km, also on the CLTC standard.

Fast charging and advanced tech

Drawing on Xpeng's expertise, the car uses a 5C battery. Volkswagen says it can recover 250 km of range in 5 minutes, which equates to a 10 to 80% charge in under 15 minutes.

Equipment includes LED matrix headlights that project light guides onto the road, 21-inch wheels with Brembo brake calipers, a Turing chip delivering 750 TOPS for assisted driving, and dual-chamber air suspension. Inside are a touchscreen with an AI-powered voice assistant, an 85-inch augmented-reality head-up display, a two-spoke steering wheel and a wireless smartphone charger on the centre console.

Could it come to Europe?

Volkswagen is considering exporting its Chinese-built models to other markets. Australia and the Middle East would get the car first, with a possible European launch afterwards. In Europe it would sit at the top of the range, above the ID.7.

The Chinese price will not carry over, though. A European price of around €60,000 is the more realistic expectation.