Volkswagen officially launches ID. Era 9X: The brands first electric model equipped with a combustion engine as a generator
VW ID. Era 9X: Official debut for the SUV with 510 hp and Range Extender technology
The launch of the new Volkswagen ID. Era 9X on the Chinese market marks a historic moment for the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer. Although the "ID" family was created as a symbol of pure electric mobility, market reality and infrastructure limitations have pushed Volkswagen towards a solution that many considered abandoned: the Range Extender (EREV).
Here is a detailed analysis of this gigantic model and its implications for the future of the brand in Europe.
A Giant of Over 5 Meters: Specifications and Dimensions
Developed in collaboration with Chinese partner SAIC, the ID. Era 9X is not only the brand's first model with a range extender, but also one of the largest SUVs in the group's global portfolio.
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Model Category | Full-size Electric SUV with Range Extender (EREV) |
| Partnership | Developed by SAIC-Volkswagen |
| Overall Length | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,997 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm |
| Combustion Engine | 1.5-liter Turbocharged (EA211), 4-cylinder, Miller Cycle |
| Engine Function | Dedicated Generator (No mechanical link to wheels) |
| Generator Output | 141 hp (105 kW) |
| Electric Powertrain (RWD) | Single motor: 295 hp (220 kW) |
| Electric Powertrain (AWD) | Dual motors: 510 hp (380 kW) |
| Battery Capacity (RWD) | 51.1 kWh (LFP Chemistry) |
| Battery Capacity (AWD) | 65.2 kWh (NMC Chemistry) |
| Pure EV Range (CLTC) | Up to 400 km |
| Total Range (Estimated) | Over 1,000 km (with range extender) |
| Seating Layout | 6-seater (2+2+2 configuration) |
Unlike a conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV), where the internal combustion engine can drive the wheels, in the case of the ID. Era 9X, the 1.5-liter unit works exclusively as an on-board "electric power plant", charging the battery when the energy level drops.
Technology and Range: Goodbye, "Range Anxiety"
Volkswagen offers two battery variants to meet the diverse needs of customers:
- Base version: 51.1 kWh battery (LFP), rear-wheel drive, 295 hp.
- Top version: 65.2 kWh battery (NMC), all-wheel drive, 510 hp.
Although the purely electric range varies between 320 and 400 km (according to the Chinese CLTC cycle), the presence of the gasoline tank propels the total range towards the 1,000 km mark. This approach solves the main problem of massive electric SUVs: the enormous weight of a battery to provide a similar range (the ID. Era 9X already weighs between 2,600 and 2,700 kg).
Interior: Luxury and Digitalization
Although initially the images were few, the new details confirm an ultra-technological cabin:
- Multiple screens: A “wall” of screens on the dashboard and a huge screen for the rear passengers, folding from the roof.
- LiDAR sensors: The model is equipped for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and high-level autonomous driving.
- Comfort: The emphasis on 6 individual seats suggests that VW is positioning this model as a luxury alternative to the Range Rover or Chinese premium models like the Aito M8.
Is this a test for Europe?
The question on everyone’s lips is whether we will see this configuration on European roads. Although VW’s official strategy in Europe remains focused on BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicle), there are clear signs of change:
- SSP platform: Sources within the company indicate that the group’s upcoming global platform (SSP - Scalable Systems Platform), scheduled for 2029, has been designed to also accommodate Range Extender systems.
- US and European market: The recent success of EREV models in China and the growing demand for hybrids in the US and Europe are putting pressure on VW to offer more flexible transition solutions.
- Scout brand: Volkswagen has already confirmed that new models under the Scout brand (intended for North America) will use a range extender system called “Harvester”.
Conclusion: The ID. Era 9X is the technological “guinea pig” of a new era. If the success in China is resounding, it is very likely that EREV technology will be adapted for future generations of large SUVs in Europe, such as the successor to the Touareg or Audi’s large models.