Volkswagen Plans to Bring China-Developed SUV ID.Era9X to Europe

On August 10, Volkswagen announced it is considering introducing its large SUV model, the ID. Era9X, to the European market. Measuring 5.2 meters in length, this vehicle is the largest SUV in Volkswagen’s lineup and is positioned in China as the successor to the Touareg. Volkswagen is evaluating importing the model as a fully built unit initially, with plans to eventually localize production at its Zwickau plant in Germany. Feasibility studies for this initiative are already well underway. Additionally, Volkswagen is assessing a new SUV developed on China’s CSP (China Scalable Platform), which could launch as early as late 2027. The company has placed several new energy vehicles on its shortlist for potential exports to Europe, including both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models. Among them, the ID. Era5X will be the first all-electric model in the Era series, featuring a 4,560-millimeter-long body, a 155-kilowatt electric motor, and CATL-supplied lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. It is scheduled to debut in China in Q4 2026. Another model, the ID. Era5S, is a plug-in hybrid sedan slightly smaller than the Passat, equipped with a 1.5-liter, 80-kilowatt gasoline engine and a 130-kilowatt electric motor. It offers a CLTC-rated all-electric range of 160 kilometers and a combined total driving range exceeding 2,000 kilometers.