Volkswagen bets on XPeng tech for new ID.UNYX 08 electric SUV

Volkswagen is playing a new card in the world's most competitive EV market. The German auto giant, through its Volkswagen Anhui joint venture, has officially filed for a new electric SUV in China called the ID.UNYX 08. But this is not just another addition to its growing ID. lineup. The ID.UNYX 08 is the very first vehicle born from Volkswagen's high-profile partnership with Chinese EV maker XPeng.

This partnership, announced in July 2023, was a major move for the legacy automaker. It showed Volkswagen was willing to use outside technology to speed up its development in China. The company invested in XPeng and agreed to co-develop two VW-branded models. Many thought production was planned for 2026. However, the filing for the ID.UNYX 08 suggests VW has found the fast-forward button. The new SUV has appeared in China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) catalog, the final major step before sales can begin.

The ID.UNYX 08 is built on XPeng's G9 platform, and it uses XPeng's advanced Connectivity and ADAS software - that's the technology behind self-driving features. The new SUV will support L2++ advanced driver assistance. This system is said to handle "parking spot to parking spot" driving on both highways and in cities. The vehicle will also receive "over-the-air" (OTA) updates, allowing for software improvements long after the car is sold.

The technology extends to the battery. The ID.UNYX 08 uses an 800V fast-charging system, allowing the battery to charge much faster than older systems. Volkswagen claims the vehicle will have a range of up to 435 miles. This range is based on China's CLTC testing cycle, which is often more generous than other standards. The battery itself is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack supplied by CATL, but its exact size has not yet been revealed.

Drivers will have two power options. The standard model is a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup delivering 230 kilowatts (about 308 horsepower). A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version will be available, keeping the 230 kW motor in the rear and adding a 140 kW motor to the front. All versions of the ID.UNYX 08 will have a top speed of 124 mph. Depending on the motor and battery, the vehicle's curb weight ranges from 4,830 lb to 5,203 lb.

The ID.UNYX 08 measures 16 ft long, 6.4 ft wide, and stands about 5.51 ft tall. It has a long wheelbase of 9.94 ft, which should provide plenty of interior space for its five-seat layout. These dimensions make it slightly larger than the XPeng G9 it is based on.

The design follows the ID. EVO concept car. It features a smooth, closed-off front grille, slim headlights, and hidden door handles for better aerodynamics. Optional features will include larger wheels, colored brake calipers, and a panoramic sunroof.

Inside, Volkswagen promises a "wraparound cockpit" design. The company says it will use eco-friendly and skin-friendly materials. The cabin will also feature a smart AI assistant powered by a large language model to help with in-car controls and interaction - this will be run by XPeng's latest VLA 2.0. The ID.UNYX 08 joins a growing family of electric cars from the Volkswagen Anhui venture, which already includes the ID.UNYX 06 and ID.UNYX 07 sedan.

Via