More details surface on VW, Audi and JLR’s model electrification plans

16 August 2017

Further to the news reported yesterday (15 August) that Skoda is ramping up plans to launch four electric vehicles (EVs) by 2021 and a further two by 2025, including two SUVs and an image-boosting sports car, more details of EV plans from Volkswagen Group’s other brands Volkswagen (VW) and Audi have come to light. Also, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plans to offer plug-in hybrid variants of its best-selling Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models from the beginning of 2018.

According to an article published on autoblog.com, the I.D. Crozz crossover will be VW’s second EV based on the dedicated MEB (modular electric drive) platform, following the I.D. hatchback. The Crozz is now scheduled for a market launch at the end of 2020 or early in 2021. Autoblog also reports that the Crozz will even be the first MEB-based vehicle to launch in the US as there are no plans to introduce the I.D. hatchback there. Whereas the I.D. hatchback has a quoted range of 373 miles on the European test cycle, the Crozz is quoted at 311 miles. As the Crozz will feature four-wheel drive, it will be powered by two motors producing a total of 302 horsepower, compared with the 168 horsepower reported for the regular I.D. hatchback.

As previously reported, the I.D. Buzz microbus-styled minivan (pictured) is expected to arrive in showrooms by 2022 and so will be VW’s third EV offering, but autoblog also suggests that this model could now come to market much later, possibly not even until 2025.

Meanwhile, Autocar reports that the second-generation Audi Q3, which is scheduled for launch within the next year, will be offered in both plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. According to Autocar, ′Ingolstadt sources involved in the engineering of the new Audi also confirm that the German car maker is working on a pure electric version of the second-generation Q3 as part of plans to meet China’s new energy vehicle regulations.’ Audi is also planning to introduce an electric version of its new Q2 subcompact crossover to the Chinese market within the next year.

In other news, Autocarindia reports that Land Rover will offer plug-in hybrid variants of its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models from the beginning of 2018. The plug-in hybrid powertrain marries a 299-horsepower version of the 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine with a 204-horsepower electric motor, giving a pure-electric range of up to 48km. The unit is also expected to be offered later in the Jaguar F-Pace, XF and XJ, although there are no plans as yet to introduce an electrified version of the recently launched Range Rover Velar.

By the middle of the next decade, JLR plans to offer all its core models with combustion engine, plug-in hybrid and/or pure electric powertrains. JLR’s first fully electric vehicle, the I-Pace SUV, is expected to be unveiled in its final form in late 2017, with deliveries expected to commence in the second half of 2018. This means it is still likely to be the first electric SUV to be offered by a premium European manufacturer.

Photograph courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.