VW ID. ERA 8X EREV SUV opens pre-sales in China ahead of October 12 launch

• The 5-seat ID. ERA 8X is SAIC Volkswagen's second extended-range model in the ID. ERA lineup, joining the 6-seat ID. ERA 9X in targeting China's EREV market.
• Built on an 800 V platform, the SUV offers a CLTC battery range of up to 451 kilometers and a combined range of up to 1,602 kilometers.

SAIC Volkswagen opened pre-sales for the ID. ERA 8X on Monday, ahead of its official launch on October 12. The mid- to large-size extended-range SUV offers a 5-seat layout.

The model comes in 4 variants: Pro, Max, Max Long Range and Ultra Long Range. Pre-sales prices have yet to be announced, but it is expected to target China's 250,000 yuan ($37,090) to 350,000 yuan segment.

Pre-sale benefits include an 888 yuan reservation deposit that can be applied as a 5,888 yuan credit toward the final payment, delivery gift packages limited to 10,000 sets, and priority production and delivery. The offer runs through October 12.

For comparison, the 6-seat ID. ERA 9X extended-range SUV, launched in late April, was offered at limited-time promotional prices of 299,800 yuan to 349,800 yuan, compared with a list price range of 309,800 yuan to 359,800 yuan.

The ID. ERA 9X is Volkswagen's first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) in China. Deliveries topped 10,000 units within 2 months of its launch.

The ID. ERA 8X measures 5,020 mm in length, 1,997 mm in width and 1,750 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,970 mm. It is 187 mm shorter than the ID. ERA 9X, with a wheelbase that is 100 mm shorter, while retaining the same width.

The SUV uses a range-extender system built around a 1.5-liter turbocharged EA211 engine with a maximum output of 105 kW. It offers both 2-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive options.

Built on an 800 V high-voltage platform, the model offers battery capacities of 51.1 kWh and 65.2 kWh. Its CLTC battery range spans 340 to 451 kilometers, while combined range reaches up to 1,602 kilometers with a full tank and a fully charged battery.

For driver assistance, the ID. ERA 8X uses Momenta's (HKEX: 6880) R7 world model solution, with a 192-channel LiDAR unit and 26 sensors. It supports highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA), as well as parking-space-to-parking-space functionality.

The cockpit runs VW.OS on a Snapdragon 8295P chip and features a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a W-HUD.

The ID. ERA 8X enters one of China's most crowded price segments. Rivals include Li Auto's (NASDAQ: LI) Li L6, the Aito M6, Xpeng's (NYSE: XPEV) G9L and IM Motors' LS8.