New VW ID.Code Concept Previews Marque’s Future EVs for China

The all-new Volkswagen ID.Code concept previews upcoming EV models special for the Chinese market.

Besides the barrage of new Chinese vehicles and EVs, the Auto China 2024 motor show also witnessed Volkswagen unveiling its latest concept model, known as the Volkswagen ID.Code. This concept will serve as a basis for future production EVs by the German automaker, specifically catered to the Chinese market.

Borne out of a collaboration between the Volkswagen team in Europe and China, the ID.Code is meant to demonstrate the “elegant and powerful dynamism of a Grand Turismo,” in the form of a sporty EV SUV crossover. Interestingly, the ID.Code appears to take a slightly different design approach that sets it apart from the current crop of VW ID models.

For starters, the ID.Code comes with a distinctive front look, highlighted by the slim LED light bar that stretches across the car’s width, with an illuminated VW badge placed at the centre, plus a grill-less front bumper that houses a concealed display panel.

What’s unique about this lighting unit is the interactive functionality, where both the lights and the screen will interact with other road users by displaying welcome messages and weather forecast when the ID.Code is driven in the autonomous mode.

Aside from its interactive front end, the ID.Code also gets some distinctive VW design cues, including its thick D-pillars inspired by the Golf hot-hatch, sculpted fenders that give the concept a stronger and muscular stance, as well as a full-width LED taillight bar with the illuminated VW badge splitting them at the centre.

On board, the VW ID.Code concept gets a pretty futuristic cabin design, which VW described as a “mobile living space,” taking advantage of the car’s Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. At the front, the ID.Code comes with a full-width display that crowns above the dashboard, which also houses its yoke-style steering wheel. Meanwhile, a secondary, portrait-oriented screen is mounted on the central console, powered by an AI-assisted virtual assistant in the form of an avatar for both drivers and passengers.

In autonomous driving mode, the yoke steering wheel retracts into the front dash, allowing front seats to rotate 180 degrees for better relaxation space. Aside from its animal-free cabin material usage, the ID.Code also features a full photovoltaic glass roof that provides an extra juice to its battery pack.

On the topic of battery, VW has yet to specify any details regarding the ID.Code’s underpinnings. However, the automaker did recently announce its partnership with Xpeng to create a new EV architecture, although we can’t be 100% sure whether the ID.Code has got some correlation with VW’s new Chinese partner.

“The ID.Code provides a glimpse into VW’s future in China: featuring a new design, cutting-edge technology, and a comprehensive brand experience tailored to the needs and desires of our Chinese customers. We’re ushering in a new era of mobility in China, hand in hand with our Chinese partners,” said VW boss Thomas Schafer.

The all-new Volkswagen ID.Code will be the base of many upcoming EV models by VW for its Chinese market, with the first one to be produced being a new EV SUV set to be launched by the end of the decade. By that time, VW’s ID electric lineup in China will be expanded to 16 models, which will also include some from the newly-formed ID.UX sub-brand that will make its market entry later in 2027.