Aura, Era, and Evo: Volkswagen's New Electric Models Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

Volkswagen continues the story of the ID. CODE. The prototype presented in Beijing in 2024 set the course in terms of design, innovations, and customer benefits.

Building on this foundation, the brand has unveiled three new prototypes at Auto Shanghai alongside its Chinese joint venture partners. The ID. AURA (from FAW-Volkswagen), the ID. ERA (from SAIC Volkswagen), and the ID. EVO (from Volkswagen Anhui) represent a new generation of intelligent electric vehicles and offer a preview of the product offensive for the coming years.

Volkswagen plans to launch over 30 new models (including 20 NEVs) in the relevant segments of the Chinese market by the end of 2027. Among them will be the production versions of the concept cars now presented in Shanghai, whose design and technologies have been specifically adapted to the needs of Chinese customers.

The ID. ERA from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, a spacious large SUV with three rows of seats, offers a preview of Volkswagen's first model with extended range technology. A fuel-powered generator charges the battery while driving, providing an additional range of over 700 kilometers. Along with the 300 kilometers of electric range, the prototype can travel more than 1,000 kilometers.

The ID. EVO from Volkswagen Anhui is aimed at young buyers who are style-conscious and eager to stand out. Based on an 800-volt platform, the ID. EVO is the first fully electric large SUV of Volkswagen's ID. UNYX family. The concept vehicle is equipped with a high-performance zonal electronic architecture that not only facilitates a wide range of new digital services but also continuously enhances the customer experience with over-the-air updates at short intervals.

The ID. AURA from FAW-Volkswagen is the first concept vehicle based on the main compact platform (CMP) with zonal electronic architecture, designed by Volkswagen specifically for the Chinese market. Thanks to its high AI-based computing capacity, the highly automated driving system used in this platform raises the bar for intelligent and natural driving. The electric notchback concept has been specially developed for A-segment customers who are highly price-sensitive, combining modern technology with dynamic design. A smartphone-like user interface and user experience concept is integrated into the vehicle's central console. The AI-based humanoid assistant allows for smooth control of vehicle functions and the infotainment system.

"The three prototypes are the visible result of our 'In China, for China' strategy. In this way, we have made all the necessary preparations to continue occupying the top position among foreign car manufacturers in China," stated Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen.

At the Volkswagen Group Night held on Tuesday evening, Chinese time, the ID. AURA, ID. ERA, and ID. EVO models were presented to the public for the first time. Alongside other Volkswagen models, the prototypes will be on display at Auto Shanghai until early May. The three vehicles belong to the new energy vehicle (NEV) group. In China, this category includes fully electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid and extended-range models.

All production versions of the prototypes presented in Shanghai will be equipped with AI-based systems for highly automated driving. This way, the vehicles will be able to reach level 2++ as early as next year, meaning that in certain situations, the cars will be able to drive fully autonomously—including overtaking and turning maneuvers, as well as independently merging into traffic—under the driver's supervision.

"In the next three years, we will launch more than 20 next-generation electric vehicles with innovative technologies to meet the needs of all our customers in China. With our 'In China, for China' strategy, we can now fully develop our potential and demonstrate our innovation capability locally," emphasized Stefan Mecha, General Manager of Volkswagen Passenger Cars for China.

"We have adopted the 'Chinese speed' with our new development center in Hefei. Our goal is to develop our models within a maximum of 34 months. We will launch the right models at the right speed and with the right partners. The three conceptual vehicles meet the different technological requirements of Chinese customers with their fully electric powertrains for high-volume and full-size segments and extended range technology," commented Thomas Ulbrich, General Manager of the Volkswagen China Technology Center (VCTC).

Volkswagen has also integrated the needs of Chinese customers into the design; although the three conceptual vehicles presented in Shanghai differ in their design language, they remain clearly recognizable as authentic Volkswagen models. "The ID. CODE prototype we exhibited in Beijing last year was the starting point for our new design direction in China," recalls Chief Designer Andreas Mindt. "In recent months, we have refined it and specifically adapted it to each of our joint ventures."