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Back to Podcast EpisodesVolkswagen ID.Unyx 08 SUV Offers 730 Km Range And 800V Charging
Volkswagen’s newest China-only electric SUV, the ID.Unyx 08, is aiming squarely at domestic rivals with big range numbers and fast-charging tech the brand hasn’t yet rolled out in the U.S.
The mid-to-large electric SUV will offer up to 730 kilometers (about 453 miles) of CLTC range and an 800-volt architecture, positioning it as the tech flagship of VW’s ID.UNYX sub-brand.
Up To 730 Km Of CLTC Range And 800V Fast Charging
The ID.Unyx 08 rides on hardware co-developed with Xpeng and uses CATL-supplied LFP battery packs in two sizes, around 82 kWh and 95 kWh. Depending on configuration, Volkswagen is quoting CLTC range figures of 630, 700 and 730 km, which will translate to lower numbers under EPA-style testing but still signal a strong efficiency play for a large SUV. Single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions make about 230 kW (308 horsepower), while a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model adds a front motor for more punch and traction.
The 800-volt electrical system is a first for a Volkswagen-branded EV in China and should allow the ID.Unyx 08 to take advantage of very high DC fast-charging rates at compatible stations. It’s a notable step beyond the current ID.4 and ID.7 setups, and it comes as VW works to steady its EV reputation.
China-Only Design That Barely Reads As A VW
Dimensionally, the ID.Unyx 08 stretches to about 5,000 mm in length with a 3,030 mm wheelbase, putting it firmly in the big-SUV camp. The styling pushes far past traditional Volkswagen cues, with a smooth nose, razor-thin LED light bands and a coupe-like roofline that look closer to leading Chinese EVs than to anything wearing a VW badge in Europe or America.
Inside, VW is promising a high-end, software-led cockpit with a large central screen, a dedicated AI assistant built on a large-language model and Level 2-plus driver-assistance features, including “parking-to-parking” automated driving in some conditions. Over-the-air updates will cover both infotainment and driving functions, reflecting the way Chinese buyers increasingly expect their EVs to feel like rolling smartphones.
What It Means For VW’s Global EV Plans
For now, the ID.Unyx 08 is strictly a China play, built by Volkswagen Anhui under the “In China for China” strategy. But the ingredients are the sort of things enthusiasts and shoppers elsewhere would like to see.
Volkswagen has already hinted that it is rethinking the kind of EVs it wants to offer in the U.S., including more affordable, lifestyle-oriented models rather than just conventional
Published on 4 days, 4 hours ago