A New Direction in Electric Vehicle Naming
Volkswagen is preparing to add a new piece to its electric vehicle portfolio, as recent trademark applications with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) indicate that the company may name its upcoming affordable car ID. UP. This direction comes as part of the company's strategy to move away from the traditional numerical naming system (such as ID.3 and ID.4) and return to names with a historical character such as Up!.
Technical Specifications and Expectations
The car is scheduled to be launched in markets in 2027 with a starting price of around 20,000 euros ($22,000). The car relies on the MEB+ platform, and it is expected to use a 37 kWh LFP battery to reduce costs, giving it a driving range of at least 250 kilometers according to company estimates. It will also be equipped with a 70 kW (94 hp) electric motor, allowing for a top speed of 130 km/h.
Why This News Matters
This car is part of the Electric Urban Car Family through which Volkswagen aims to strengthen its presence in the affordable car category. The technical importance of this model lies in it being one of the first vehicles to rely on the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture being developed by Volkswagen in cooperation with Rivian. This architecture will support advanced automated driving features and sophisticated infotainment solutions with the possibility of continuous Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.
Dimensions and Design
In terms of size, the car will occupy a middle ground between the previous Up! model and the ID. Polo model, with a length of 3,880 mm, while providing interior space accommodating four passengers and a 305-liter luggage compartment. Despite these ambitious plans, current reports indicate that this affordable model may not be intended for the US market, where the company focuses there on launching other models such as the ID. Tiguan in 2027.