Volkswagen Built This Electric SUV in Just 24 Months Using Chinese EV Tech

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volkswagen started production new ID.Unyx 08 electric SUV While we’ve lost count of how many China-only models VW in Hefei in eastern China sells these days, it’s a real deal.

That’s because the ID.Unyx 08 is Volkswagen’s first fully connected, full-size battery electric SUV with an 800-volt electrical architecture, as well as the first VW EV to be based on a third-party platform.

In this case it is based on ID.Unyx Xpeng’s 800-volt, fast-charging EV platform It was developed together with the Chinese EV manufacturer as part of VW Group’s “In China, for China” strategy. It is noteworthy that the joint development of the new model took less than 24 months. This is a record for VW, considering that it takes about 4 years to develop a new model, and the new target implemented since 2024 is 3 years.

Along with 800-volt ultra-fast charging technology, the VW ID.Unyx 08 also features locally developed technologies including L2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features, continuous over-the-air (OTA) software updates and connectivity features such as artificial intelligence assistant.

There Are Almost No Buttons on the Screen-Heavy Interior

Speaking of connectivity, VW has also released the first photos of the ID.Unyx 08’s interior, and it’s a real tech fest. Two 14.96-inch displays with 2.4K resolution (one in the middle and one for the front passenger) affixed to the dashboard dominate the cabin, while the driver is given a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Physical buttons There are a scant number of visible ones, only on the steering wheel and door panels.

The cabin also features two wireless charging pads above a lower storage area, an 18.73-square-foot blackout panoramic glass roof with 10-level opacity adjustments, and 20 speakers. sound system.

There’s a 14-way power-adjustable front passenger seat; the driver’s seat is adjustable in 10 directions, while the driver’s seat is also adjustable in 10 directions; The rear seats can also be reclined 10 degrees.

Considering that the ID.Unyx 08 is almost 197 inches long and rides on a generous wheelbase of more than 119 inches, passenger room seems generous; Despite this, the vehicle is a full five-seater because VW does not offer a third row option.

VW is one of the 20 new NEVs that China will launch in 2026

Produced by the Volkswagen Anhui joint venture between VW Group (75%) and China’s JAC (25%), the ID.Unyx 08 offers both single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD configurations, with a maximum power of 308 hp in the former and 496 hp in the latter.

Power is coming provided by CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries with a capacity of 82 kWh and 95 kWh respectively. The longest-range version is rated at 454 miles in China’s CLTC test cycle.

The VW ID.Unyx 08 will be launched in the first half of this year as one of 20 new, locally developed New Energy Vehicle (NEV) models (all-electric and rechargeable hybrid) that will be launched in China only in 2026. “On average, the Volkswagen Group is launching a new electric car every two weeks this year. This is the ‘China Pace’,” said Volkswagen Group China CEO Ralf Brandstätter.

A second model was born Cooperation between Volkswagen and XpengAn electric sedan will also be released later this year.

This story was first published by . automatic blog First appeared on March 14, 2026 News section. Add Autoblog as follows: Preferred Source by clicking here.