Volkswagen confirmed earlier this year its ID. 2all concept would make the transition to production wearing a sub-A$40,000 base price in Europe, and now it’s confirmed the upcoming electric hatchback is set to come here.
2024 will be a big year for Volkswagen in Australia as it launches not only its first electric vehicle, but its first four: the ID.4, ID.5, ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo.
Beyond 2024, however, it has confirmed it plans to roll out another two: the small ID.3 hatch, previously set for a late 2024 launch; and the even smaller ID.2.
“We’re asking for it,” said Michelle Rowney, head of product at Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles.
“Definitely going to have it, just a matter of when,” said newly appointed Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Karsten Seifert, confirming launch timing has yet to be set.
The production version of the ID. 2all concept car, unveiled in March, will launch in Europe in 2025 with an intended starting price of under €25,000 (A$40,000).
Just what it will be priced at here is unclear, though if it can hit that $40,000 mark it would find itself up against a range of cut-price Chinese electric hatchbacks including the MG 4.
Volkswagen claims the ID. 2all will be “inside as spacious as a Golf, but outside as cute and small as a Polo”, measuring in at just 4050mm long.
The ID. 2all concept has a front-mounted 166kW electric motor and a claimed driving range of up to 450km.
Debuting a new platform called MEB Entry, it features front-wheel drive unlike the rear/all-wheel drive MEB cars.
Volkswagen subsequently revealed a GTI version of the electric hatchback, again with front-wheel drive, at this year’s Munich motor show. The production version is due in Europe in 2027.
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ID. GTI concept
“Given Australia is a performance focused market and GTI makes up a significant portion of Polo and Golf sales, we will have our hand up for any future production version of the ID. GTI,” said a spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia at the time.
Externally, the ID. GTI builds on the ID. 2all concept with an aggressive lower lip, red recovery hooks and a prominent rear diffuser.
Inside, Volkswagen has created GTI Experience Control. This includes the ability to customise the drive experience with simulated gear shifts (similar to the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N), as well as adjusting the steering and sound system.
A physical gear stick has been replaced with an e-shifter, while a 10.9-inch driver display changes the game in terms of offering drivers ultimate visibility over various functions beyond your typical speed and power meter readouts.
Dimensions come in at 4104mm long with a 2600mm wheelbase, with tyres measuring 245mm wide on 20-inch wheels at the front.
Volkswagen has also revealed it’s working on an even more affordable EV for Europe to slot in under the ID.2, priced under €20,000 (A$32,000). This has yet to be revealed in concept form, and it’s unclear what its chances are for Australia.
