Volkswagen is going luxury with the ID. Era 9X full-size SUV

Volkswagen may be gone from our market once more, but that doesn’t keep us from maintaining interest in the German automaker which recently just unveiled the ID. Era 9X in China.

This large SUV is a fruit of the joint venture between Volkswagen and SAIC of China, and is based on the ID. Era concept from last year’s edition of the Shanghai Auto Show (Auto China). Based on its aura, it’s definitely aimed at the likes of the Aito M9 and Geely Galaxy M9.

It’s large, measuring at 5,207mm long, 1,997mm wide, and 1,810mm tall, and rides on a 3,070mm wheelbase. This makes it larger than many SUVs from the VW Group, except the long wheelbase Bentley Bentayga.

And presence it has with its upright and imposing front fascia, featuring a light bar up top, cut in the middle by the Volkswagen logo, and headlights integrated into the bumper. The same goes on the rear, and its multi-spoke 20- or 21-inch wheels will not look out of place in a vehicle from luxury automakers.

The interior hasn’t been revealed, but we can expect it to be faithful to the concept version which had a large touchscreen that spans the entire dashboard, a large rear entertainment screen, and a six-seater layout in a 2-2-2 configuration.

As for its powertrains, the Volkswagen ID. Era 9X will be a range-extended electric vehicle or REEV with three electric powertrain options, paired to a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine capable of 143 horsepower, that generates power for the vehicle’s battery and motors.

The first option is a single rear-mounted electric motor making 299 horsepower, paired to a 51.1kWh LFP battery that provides up to 267km of all-electric range. The second option pairs the same motor to a 65.2kWh ternary lithium NMC battery that brings pure electric range up to 340km.

Finally, the top-trim pairs the internal combustion engine (generator) to dual (front and rear) electric motors that produce a combined 517 horsepower. Also with a 65.2kWh battery, all-electric range is estimated at 321km.

It’s still unknown if Volkswagen plans to introduce the ID. Era 9X globally, but sales are expected to begin in China after a possible launch at this year’s Beijing Auto Show in April. As for our market, it’s all up in the air with no new official distributor for the brand yet after its exit last year.