SAIC-Volkswagen has filed for approval of the ID. Era 5X compact SUV in China. It is Volkswagen’s first model based on the Compact Main Platform and the first fully electric vehicle in the China-specific ID. Era series. It also sits in one of Europe’s core SUV segments and will come to Europe, followed by other ‘Chinese VWs’.
Volkswagen is counting on its ID. Era series to help stabilize its struggling business in China. SAIC-VW has so far introduced two models from the family: the ID. ERA 9X, a range-extender SUV available in China since March, and the ID. Era 5S plug-in hybrid saloon, which officially launched this week.
A smaller, fully electric SUV, the ID. Era 5X, will follow later this year. Its official type approval application in China has now revealed key details about the upcoming model.
Compact SUV
The ID. Era 5X is a 4.56-meter-long compact SUV based on the new Compact Modular Platform (CMP). According to the application submitted to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the model measures 1.90 meters wide and 1.63 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.82 meters.
The ID. Era 5X delivers 155 kW and has a top speed of 175 kph. Like the recently unveiled ID. Aura T6 from FAW-Volkswagen, VW’s other joint venture in China, it uses the China Electronic Architecture (CEA), an E/E architecture developed in collaboration with Xpeng.
As is typical for type approval applications in China, the documents do not disclose the battery capacity. However, they confirm that the compact SUV will use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL.
Product offensive
Volkswagen has been preparing a broad product offensive in China through its three joint ventures for some time. At Auto China 2025, the carmaker presented three electric concept cars, including the ID. Era study, which previewed the model family of the same name.
In mid-July, Chinese type approval applications revealed that the Volkswagen Group is also preparing to launch the battery-electric ID. UNYX 09 and Jetta M6 saloons, as well as the aforementioned ID. Aura T6 electric SUV, later this year.
The goal of the model offensive, launched in 2025, is to introduce 30 new vehicles in China by 2027. A key factor in this strategy is the strategic partnership between Volkswagen and Xpeng. The collaboration between these unlikely partners began with a deal in July 2023, when the German automaker announced a $700 million investment in the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. With these China-specific models, Volkswagen aims to reduce its significant losses in the region.
Also for Europe?
According to CarNewsChina (CNC), Volkswagen is also considering taking this product offensive strategy one step further by bringing some of these China-developed cars to Europe.
The idea became more concrete in July, when German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that Volkswagen had started an internal feasibility study into bringing China-developed models to Europe, either by importing complete vehicles or producing them locally. The Zwickau plant in Germany was mentioned as one possible production site, CNC points out.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s Chinese operations have produced a growing list of EVs that could potentially fit such a strategy. Here are the most relevant ones, according to CNC.
ID. Era 5X
The ID. Era 5X is one of the most relevant new models because it is Volkswagen’s first globally produced vehicle based on the China-specific Compact Main Platform (CMP) and the China Electronic Architecture (CEA). It is manufactured by SAIC-Volkswagen.
ID. Era 5S
The ID. Era 5S takes a different approach. Instead of being a BEV, it is a plug-in hybrid sedan developed also by SAIC-Volkswagen. It measures 4,836 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,505 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,766 mm, making it slightly shorter than the European Volkswagen Passat.
The powertrain combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine producing 80 kW (107 hp) with a 130 kW (174 hp) electric motor. Its electric range reaches 160 km under CLTC conditions, while SAIC-Volkswagen claims a combined range of more than 2,000 km. Fuel consumption with a depleted battery is 2.82 l/ 100 km, according to SAIC-VW.
The PHEV powertrain could actually make the ID. Era 5S particularly relevant for Europe. Chinese automakers have increasingly turned to plug-in hybrids in the region, led by (successful) competitor BYD.
ID. Unyx 09
The ID. Unyx 09 is the flagship sedan of Volkswagen Anhui’s China-only ID. Unyx series and the second car developed in cooperation with Xpeng. It will be launched in the second half of 2026 in China, and it is probably the best-looking Volkswagen sedan in a decade.
The car was co-developed with Xpeng in just 24 months and measures 5,081 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and up to 1,526 mm tall, with a 3,030 mm wheelbase. Volkswagen presented the model at the Beijing Auto Show in April, while Chinese regulatory filings later disclosed its powertrain specifications.
The rear-wheel-drive version has a 230 kW (308 hp) motor. The AWD variant adds a 140 kW (188 hp) front motor for a combined output of 370 kW (496 hp).
ID. Unyx 08
The ID. Unyx 08 is already on sale in China and is the first mass-produced vehicle from Volkswagen and Xpeng’s vehicle development cooperation.
The SUV uses an 800V electrical system and is offered with 82 kWh and 95 kWh CATL LFP batteries. The CLTC range reaches up to 730 km.
The rear-wheel-drive version produces 230 kW (308 hp), while the AWD model combines a 230 kW rear motor with a 140 kW front motor for 370 kW (496 hp). The AWD version accelerates from 0-100 kph in 4.9 seconds.
The ID. Unyx 08 also illustrates one of the challenges Volkswagen would face when bringing its China-developed vehicles to Europe.
Its electronics and assisted-driving systems rely heavily on technology created for China, meaning software and ADAS functions would need to be adapted and homologated for Europe. Volkswagen is already evaluating whether China-developed software can comply with European requirements.
ID. Era 9X
Of all the revealed models, the ID. Era 9X is the most serious European candidate at the moment.
Handelsblatt reported that the SUV is the first China-developed Volkswagen currently being evaluated for Europe. The feasibility study covers both importing complete vehicles and potentially producing them or their components locally.
The ID. Era 9X was developed by SAIC-Volkswagen and launched in China in April. It is Volkswagen’s largest SUV, measuring 5,207 mm long, 1,997 mm wide and 1,810 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,070 mm. Inside is a six-seat 2+2+2 layout.
Unlike Volkswagen’s European ID. models, the ID. Era 9X is an EREV. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine acts as a generator and does not mechanically drive the wheels. The SUV comes with dual-motor AWD producing either 370 kW (496 hp) or 380 kW (510 hp). Battery options are 51.1 kWh and 65.2 kWh, providing 347 to 406 km of electric CLTC range. Combined range reaches up to 1,651 km.
The question for Volkswagen is whether a China-developed EREV of this size has a place in Europe. For now, however, it is the clearest test case for reversing the traditional flow of Volkswagen vehicle development from Germany to China.
