Volkswagen’s New Affordable Electric Car May Be Named ID. UP
The German manufacturer plans to release a €20,000 electric vehicle in 2027; the potential name has already been revealed.
A New Model for Urban Mobility
Volkswagen is continuing to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market. The company plans to launch a new, affordable electric car in 2027 with a starting price of approximately €20,000. According to CEO Thomas Schäfer, this model represents the final piece of the company’s electric vehicle strategy, which will complete its current lineup.
The new model will join the existing Electric Urban Car Family in Europe, which already includes the ID. Polo, ID. Cross, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq. All these models are built on Volkswagen’s modern MEB+ platform, allowing for more than 80% of components to be shared between them.
What Do We Know About the ID. UP?
A trademark registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Germany’s DPMA for the name "ID. UP" likely reveals the new car's title. This move suggests the company is returning to familiar naming conventions rather than relying solely on numerical designations like ID.3 or ID.4.
In terms of technical specifications, the vehicle will be equipped with a 37 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery to help optimize costs. The electric car is expected to have a range of at least 250 kilometres on a single charge, while its 70 kW (94 horsepower) motor will reach a top speed of 130 km/h. Despite its compact dimensions—measuring 3,880 mm in length—the cabin is designed for four passengers, and the boot offers 305 litres of cargo space.
Innovative Architecture and the Future
This model will be one of the first to utilize the software architecture developed by the joint venture between Volkswagen and Rivian (RV Tech). This "zonal" system will allow the car to receive regular over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring continuous improvements to automated driving functions and entertainment systems.
Although this model is designed for Western markets, its appearance in North America is considered unlikely. However, Volkswagen is preparing other innovations for 2027, including the ID. Tiguan, which will succeed the current ID.4. For consumers who prefer vehicles imported from the European market, this model may become an accessible and practical choice for urban commuting in the future.