- Two different powertrains will be offered for the VW ID. Era 9X.
- The ID. Era 9X is similar in size to the BMW X7 and has up to 510 hp.
- VW has updated the engine with a new turbo and lower emissions.
The VW Group began selling its EA211 engine in 2011, available in three- and four-cylinder guises, used in popular models like the VW Golf, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, VW T-Roc, Audi Q2, and Seat Leon. It has now updated and adapted this relatively old engine for use in its first range-extender EV in China, the ID. Era 9X.
VW presented its new flagship SUV, co-developed with SAIC, earlier this year. At the time, we knew it would have a range-extender powertrain, but few details were available. Earlier this month, VW confirmed it’s using a 1.5-liter turbocharged EA211 in the ID. Era 9X, although several important changes have been made to it.
Read: VW Built A Bigger ID SUV Than The X7 And You Can’t Have It
For example, the updated engine now includes a new variable-geometry turbocharger to seamlessly adjust airflow, depending on the driving conditions. VW has also improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions, while also installing a water-cooled intercooler for cooler intake temperatures. The upgraded engine is being built in China.
EREVs are enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment, but not that long ago, VW was critical of them. VW China executives called EREVs “very environmentally unfriendly” back in 2020.
As reported by CarNewsChina, shortly after announcing production of the new EA211 range-extender, Li Auto’s social media director reminded VW of this statement, writing on social media, “Congratulations to Volkswagen for successfully mass-producing a technology that is ‘outdated, very environmentally unfriendly, and had little development potential’ in just 6 years!”
The tension dates to September 2020, when Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein criticized gasoline-powered range-extenders as environmentally unfriendly. Around the same time, the company’s China R&D chief, Wiedmann, described the technology as outdated with limited long-term potential.
The Juicy Details
The VW ID. Era 9X is slightly longer, a touch narrower, and with a marginally shorter wheelbase than a BMW X7, and is one of VW’s China-only models that we think has potential to be popular elsewhere, if it’s ever sold internationally.
In addition to the EA211 range-extender, the base model has a rear-mounted electric motor with 295 hp and a 51.1 kWh LFP battery, resulting in an all-electric driving range of up to 166 miles (267 km). A version with a larger 65.2 kWh battery and 211 miles (340 km) of electric range will also be part of the lineup, as will a rear-wheel-drive, twin-motor variant with 510 hp.
