VW ID. Unyx (2024): This is Wolfsburg's Cupra Tavascan

New sub-brand ID. Unyx is aimed at a young audience in China. 34 new models planned by 2030

VW ID. Unyx (2024)

Photo by: Volkswagen

By: Stefan Wagner

Published by: Brian Potter

Jul 18, 2024 at 5:55am ET

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After decades in which China was the backbone of economic success for almost all German car manufacturers, this self-evident fact is increasingly disappearing. Patriotism is now the trump card among Chinese customers, especially when it comes to purely electric vehicles. The country's own manufacturers are benefiting from this. European manufacturers are struggling. First and foremost Volkswagen.

The previous ID. models are not really catching on in China. A hard blow for the Wolfsburg-based company, but now measures are being taken to help the sluggish business in China. "In China, for China" is the name of the new strategy, which aims to cater more closely to the needs of Chinese customers, and with a completely new sub-brand. This goes by the name of ID. Unyx and now the first car with this name is being presented - the ID. Unyx01.

Unsurprisingly, it is an electric SUV coupé. If the proportions and the appearance look familiar, then you are not mistaken, because the ID. Unyx is basically a Cupra Tavascan with the VW logo.

Nevertheless,Volkswagen praises the "particularly progressive design" and hails a smart human-machine interface (HMI) with a customisable 3D avatar and a range of more than 373 miles. Despite having the same drives and batteries, this is more than the Cupra claims for the Tavascan.

Gallery: VW ID. Unyx (2024)

VW ID. Unyx (2024)

Source: Volkswagen

This could be due to the CLTC standard (China Light-Duty Test Cycle). According to this standard, the ID. Unyx01 should be able to squeeze up to 385 miles of range out of the 77 kWh battery. As with its Spanish brother, there is a version with 286 PS and rear-wheel drive as well as a variant with two motors, all-wheel drive and 340 PS. The manufacturer has not yet commented on the driving performance.

VW has given the ID. Unyx "technically and visually tailored to the lifestyle of young customers in China's metropolises". Like the Cupra Tavascan, the car is manufactured in Hefei. The retail concept of the ID. Unyx sub-brand is based on 40 exclusive stores in 20 cities, where prospective customers can experience the vehicle using modern technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.