Volkswagen is unveiling three new concept cars at Auto Shanghai together with its Chinese joint venture partners. The ID. AURA (from FAW-Volkswagen), the ID. ERA (from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN) and the ID. EVO (from Volkswagen Anhui) are representative of a new generation of smart electric vehicles and give a preview of the product strategy for the coming years.

Volkswagen plans to bring out more ethan 30 new models (including 20 NEVs) in the relevant segments of the Chinese market through the end of 2027. These will include production versions of the concept cars now being presented in Shanghai, whose design and technologies have been specifically tailored to the needs of Chinese customers.

All production versions of the concept cars presented in Shanghai will be equipped with AI-based systems for highly automated driving. The vehicles can thus reach Level 2++ as early as next year, which means in certain situations cars will be able to drive fully autonomously—including overtaking and turning maneuvers and independently merging into traffic—with the driver’s supervision.

The ID. ERA from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, a spacious full-size SUV with three rows of seats, gives a preview of Volkswagen’s first model featuring range extender technology. A fuel-powered generator charges the battery while driving and provides an additional range of more than 700 kilometers (435 miles). Together with the 300-kilometer (186 miles) range in battery mode, the concept car can thus travel more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

The ID. EVO from Volkswagen Anhui is targeted at young, lifestyle-conscious buyers who are keen to set themselves apart from the crowd. Based on an 800-volt platform, the ID. EVO is the first all-electric full-size SUV in Volkswagen’s ID. UNYX family. The concept vehicle is fitted out with a high-performance zonal electronic architecture that not only facilitates a wide range of new digital services but also continuously expands the customer experience with over-the-air updates at short intervals.

The ID. AURA from FAW-Volkswagen is the first concept vehicle to be based on the Compact Main Platform (CMP) with zonal electronic architecture which Volkswagen designed specifically for the Chinese market. Through its AI-based high computing capacity, the system for highly automated driving that is used on this platform raises the bar for smart yet natural driving behavior.

The electric notchback concept has been developed in particular for customers in the price-conscious A-segment, combining modern technology with dynamic design. A UI/UX concept similar to a smartphone is built into the center console of the vehicle. The AI-based humanoid assistant enables seamless control of vehicle functions and infotainment.