Volkswagen is one of the biggest car companies in the world. The Volkswagen group's strategy is to seek leadership in the segments it participates in, and that is accomplished by increasing its market share in comparison to other manufacturers. Like many legacy automakers, Volkswagen is having to rethink its goals as a car maker and work on a complete overhaul of its production lines, processes, and facilities to move quickly toward full electrification. The ID. 2all concept unveiled just a few days ago, with the promise of a production model coming out in 2025 shows how aggressively Volkswagen is finally turning towards the future of the automotive industry. More than that, it shows the group’s commitment to not be left behind in the dust as EV car manufacturers like Tesla and BYD take over the whole industry. There is a future for legacy automakers transitioning towards EVs, and Volkswagen is going to help shape the industry in the years to come.
The Volkswagen ID. 2all Concept Will Be A Car For The Masses
The ID. 2all concept hints at a production model that will cost about €25,000 (about $27,106 at the time of this article's publishing). Volkswagen began its life as a compact car manufacturer and is now carrying over this legacy into some of its future EVs. By as early as 2026, Volkswagen plans to launch 10 new all-electric models. The shift is happening fast, as VW pledged to invest $193 billion in electric cars and software in the coming years.
Built on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive (MEB) platform, the ID. 2all will feature forward-wheel drive, 223 horsepower motor (166 kW), and an estimated 280 miles of range based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP cycle). The Volkswagen ID. 2all even though it’s supposed to be simple and a car for the masses, is in itself a masterclass in design. Volkswagen understands people enjoy good-looking cars and shy away from ugly ones. The ID. 2all resembles a Volkswagen Polo, a popular subcompact car in Europe, but also pays homage to one of the brand’s most iconic vehicles, the VW Golf.
Being Affordable Doesn't Mean The ID. 2all Won't Have A Great Design
For the exterior design of the ID. 2all, Volkswagen focused on the original Golf’s C-pillar, of all things, and gave it a new interpretation, also focusing on giving it a friendly-looking front fascia and a body with a commanding stance on the wheels. The ID. 2all design is for the lack of a better word, timeless, as it arks back to some of the most successful contemporary Volkswagen compact hatchbacks of the recent past. VW designers made sure to follow the ‘golden ratio’ a geometrical principle followed by many car designers, and even great artists of the past like Leonardo da Vinci. Described simply as the ratio of three-fifths to two-fifths, it’s possible to notice it being applied on the positioning of the feature line that runs below the window shoulder of the ID. 2all concept. This ratio was always followed by the VW Beetle and Golf.
As a nod to the hot hatch enthusiasts, VW’s Technical Development Chief Kai Grünitz already stated that VW is working on a sporty version of the ID. 2all, even though it will only be featured in FWD configuration. This is exciting news as the standard ID. 2all is already powerful enough for a 0-62 MPH in 6.9 seconds. It’s safe to assume a sporty version of this small hatchback will be quite fast, and fun to drive.
The ID. 2all Interior Is Roomy And Versatile
Volkswagen claims the ID. 2all will have a long wheelbase, being spacious as a Golf, and cheap as a Polo. Their goal is to bring EVs to mass markets, aiming for a leading market share of 80 percent in Europe, and big sales in the Chinese and North American markets as well. VW is actually working on an even cheaper EV, supposed to be priced at less than €20,000 (about $21,685). Their future lineup will have BEVs for all tastes and pockets.
Features like the latest version of VW’s travel assist will be available once the ID.2all reaches the production stage. The travel assist system is used for partly automated driving. LED lights will be present throughout the whole car and a large panoramic sunroof will be available. The interior features promise ease of use by being self-explanatory. There will be a conventional button for volume and other tactile things that just don’t transfer well to touchscreens. This doesn’t mean there won’t be touchscreens on the ID. 2all concept though, and that’s to be expected. The cockpits of VW’s ID cars are digital, not analog. As we look toward the future, we see nothing wrong with that.
The VW ID. 2all Is The Beginning Of Mass Electrification For Volkswagen
Additionally, the interior of the vehicle will offer several configurations of seat arrangements, allowing for maximum cargo space when needed. Objects as long as 7.0 feet and 2.61 inches (2.2 meters) will fit in the interior of the car with both the rear seat and front passenger sit folded down. The luggage compartment alone holds 15.5 cubic feet (440 liters) and is massive for a compact hatchback. If there is a need to leave a laptop or tablet in the car, there is a lockable compartment under the rear seat.
Volkswagen is already a company that holds way north of €100 billion ($108.4 billion) in financial debts according to its financial statements, and it has annual earnings after tax of about $16.8 billion (€15.5 billion, thereabouts). Nevertheless, the company is still building equity, and has the assets to back those loans. Perhaps that’s the reason why it can hold such debt, and still commit to a lot more for the investments it’s going to have to make in the next few years. That’s the nature of the business, and for better or worse, VW seems to have made the only choice it could, which is to move forward.