The 2025 Shanghai motor show has seen the unveiling of three almost production-ready concept cars by Volkswagen, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s efforts to regain its footing in the Chinese electric vehicle market.

The ID. Era: A Full-Size Three-Row Crossover

The ID. Era is a full-size three-row crossover designed for Volkswagen SAIC, a joint venture between the German automaker and the Chinese company SAIC Motor. This concept car boasts a range extended EV drivetrain, featuring a small petrol engine that can recharge the battery pack when it starts to run low. The ID. Era is capable of 300km of pure electric driving and has a further 700km of range when the petrol engine kicks in. The ID. Era’s design is characterized by subtle bulges and scallops on the side surfaces, which prevent it from appearing too monolithic and slabby. The blacked-out pillars give it a floating roof look, while the overall shape is reminiscent of a Range Rover Sport.

The ID. Evo: A Pure-Electric Crossover

The ID. Evo is a pure-electric crossover built on an 800V electrical platform and features a zonal electronic architecture. This car is designed to be built by Volkswagen Anhui, the German automaker’s only Chinese joint venture where it is the majority shareholder. The ID. Evo boasts a range of new digital services and over-the-air updates at short intervals. The ID. Evo’s rounder shape, gloss black lower body cladding, and Alfa-esque alloy wheels give it a sportier appearance compared to the ID. Era. The car’s design is sleek and modern, with a focus on aerodynamics and efficiency.

The ID. Aura: A Compact Crossover

The ID. Aura is a compact crossover based on the Compact Main Platform (CMP) designed specifically for the Chinese market. This car is built by FAW Volkswagen and features a zonal electrical architecture and a user interface patterned on smartphone operating systems. The ID. Aura is pitched at the “price-conscious A-segment” and is said to have plenty of AI computing power to enable automated driving and a humanoid assistant to simplify interaction with the infotainment system and vehicle features. The ID. Aura’s design is characterized by creases above the wheel arches and a crisp shoulder line, which lend it a level of dynamism and agility. The car’s shape is sleek and modern, with a focus on aerodynamics and efficiency.

Volkswagen’s “In China, For China” Strategy

Volkswagen’s three new concepts represent the first salvo in a product onslaught from the brand, as it aims to regain its footing in the Chinese electric vehicle market. The company lost its sales crown in China to BYD in 2023, but it is now launching 30 new cars in the Chinese market by the end of 2027, with 20 of these being “new energy vehicles”.