Volkswagen will invest a total of 460 million euros at its flagship plant in Wolfsburg to produce two electric models: the updated version of the ID.3 and a Tiguan-sized electric SUV. This model will initially receive the trade name ID. Tiguan, will complement the current ID.4 and ID.5. However, it is not ruled out that it will finally be named ID.3 X.
The new model will make use of the MEB+ modular platform, an architecture capable of offering ranges of up to 700 km WLTP and charging at 175-200 kW of direct current power. In addition, it will use the unified prismatic cells of the German group, which will begin to be produced in Salzgitter in the year 2025.
The Wolfsburg plant, which reached a peak of 800,000 vehicles manufactured in 2015, currently employs 60,000 workers. After the pandemic, the factory production rate has fallen to less than 400,000 cars per year, so the arrival of ID.3 and ID. Tiguan/ID.3 X will be a breath of fresh air for the squad.
Scheduled for 2025, the ID. Tiguan/ID.3 X should be slightly smaller than the thermal Tiguan (4.51 meters long) to avoid overlapping with the ID.4 (4.58 meters long), being slightly above the T-Roc (4 .24 meters long). Since the future ID.2 X will be around 4.10 meters, the new model will probably be around 4.35 meters.
Volkswagen wants to strengthen its electric lineup
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, was in charge of recently announcing the launch of this SUV, which despite being related to the ID.3, will have a very different aesthetic from the compact currently on sale, which will receive a restyling at the beginning of next year to stay current in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Although there is still no information about it, CUPRA and Skoda likely have their versions of the ID. Tiguan/ID.3 X. In the case of the Spanish brand, an electric SUV located between Los Born and Tavascan would allow it to continue the successful Formentor, whose commercial life will end approximately in 2026-2028.
The Czech firm for its part is already working on a compact crossover located between the future Elroq (brother of the Volkswagen ID.2 X) and the Enyaq, which will be launched on the market approximately in 2026. Therefore, the dates and sizes match those of the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan/ID.3 X, with which it should share the structure and all its mechanical parts.
