Judging by the images and technical specifications discovered by the media in China’s Ministry of Industry database, Volkswagen is preparing a new electric crossover SUV for debut in China. Dubbed the ID.Unyx, it appears to be a rebadged Cupra Tavascan (see video), which went into production at the Volkswagen Anhui factory not long ago.
The vehicle is sized 4,663 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,610 mm tall with 2,766 mm of wheelbase (all VW Group coupe-SUVs running on the MEB chassis have the same wheelbase length). It is just 19 mm (0.7”) longer than the Tavascan, 1 mm (0.04”) slimmer and 13 mm (0.5”) taller, so basically identical. The light patterns are new and the body kit looks less aggressive, but that’s about all.
Things look notably different in the powertrain department. In its main spec, the Tavascan takes advantage of a next-gen electric motor driving its rear axle with 286 PS (282 hp / 210 kW). In contrast, the ID.Onyx makes do with a 231-PS (228-hp / 170-kW) motor in the most affordable version. The top spec looks the same as the Cupra with an added 109-PS (108-hp / 80-kW) motor at the rear end. Whichever you choose, the top speed will stay capped at 160 km/h (100 mph).
Volkswagen Anhui, the joint enterprise founded between VW Group and JAC and formerly known as the Jianghuai Volkswagen Automobile Co, is currently 75% owned by the German automotive giant. It is already churning out Tavascan SUVs for Europe, so the new ID.Unyx will likely remain a China exclusive. As for when it might premiere, the upcoming Beijing Auto Expo in April seems the likeliest.