The entry-level electric Volkswagen will cost under $25,000

TopSpeed

By Michael Fira

Published Nov 15, 2018

The gateway to the I.D. family will be a compact crossover similar to the T-Roc

Volkswagen will introduce the cheapest model of its upcoming I.D. family of electric models in 2022, and it will cost no more than $23,000. For that money, you get a five-door compact crossover that will probably spawn similar versions in the Seat and Skoda lineup which will probably come at an even cheaper MSRP.

We already know that Volkswagen's I.D. family, which will take the electric car market by storm hopes the German manufacturer, is set to feature production versions of the Buzz, Crozz and Vizzion concepts as well as the Neo. Now, sources within VW confirm that the manufacturer has approved the production of another model that will sit at the bottom of the range, price wise.

An electric Volkswagen for about $23,000? That's less than half the price of a Model 3

The German automaker is developing a brand new modular platform that can be used to host a variety of body styles and wheelbases, and they're also converting the plant in Zwickau to be a core of electric vehicle manufacturing within VAG. As we've reported previously this year, Volkswagen hopes as many as 100,000 vehicles will roll out the Zwickau plant in the future.

Beyond the job of increasing their electric car-building capabilities, VW is planning to come forth with a compact crossover utility vehicle. It should be here two years after the launch of the Neo hatchback - in 2022. The car, according to Autocar, "is a crucial component in a broader plan at Volkswagen to create a contemporary, new electric-powered people’s car in a move aimed at mirroring the success of the original Beetle and its indirect successor - the Golf."

Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's Chairman, said that the aim is to create a car half as expensive as Tesla's entry-level Model 3. Initially, the baby Tesla was to be priced at about $35,000 but, when finally retailed, the MSRP was up to $49,000.

Autocar's sources point out that " the idea behind the new I.D. model is to create a car with classless design appeal, outstanding interior space within a compact footprint and the sort of affordability to allow it to appeal to a wide number of car buyers." It will obviously be based around the MEB platform and will only be front-wheel-drive to save costs. The range should top that of the e-Golf so expect it to be in the 200-mile ballpark.

The new crossover will be built at the Emden plant in Germany which means that, by then, the factory will be ready to produce over 1,000,000 cars per year. The car could also be employed in a ride-sharing scheme under VW's new Moia subsidiary.

An electric Volkswagen for about $23,000? That's less than half the price of a Model 3

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