Volkswagen To Start Building All-Electric ID Hatchback In 2019

Despite the talk about the next Volkswagen Golf starting production in the very near future, there's another project in the works that's of far more importance, in the long term, for the German automaker. Autocar has learned that VW will begin production of its all-electric ID hatchback in November 2019. This is a major deal for VW because the production-spec ID will be the beginning of a major EV product offensive. The five-door hatchback will find its way to dealerships sometime in 2020 at what Autocar claims will be an "attractive price."

And yes, consider the ID as a replacement for the current e-Golf. In fact, there's really no comparison between the two. While the e-Golf has a range of 125 miles, the ID will manage a range between 249 and 373 miles. Or, in other words, a direct competitor to the likes of the new Nissan Leaf and, assuming mass production gets underway this century, the Tesla Model 3. The ID is said to have an electric motor capable of around 186 hp and will be, at least initially, rear-wheel-drive only. The production ID was designed in Germany and will supposedly set the styling tone for all upcoming EV VWs. And yes, it'll feature an illuminated badge so that everyone will know it's a VW.

Other design elements will include 20-inch wheels, large wheel houses, heavily raked windshield, and a prominent rear spoiler and glass tailgate. Compared to the current seventh-generation Golf, the ID will be slightly longer, wider and taller. The interior will be unlike any previous VW production car due to its EV status. Some level of autonomous mobility will also be ready in time. For now, details are still a bit scarce, but what's for certain is that VW won't hold anything back here, technology wise. The ID, after all, will represent the future of the automotive giant.