Volkswagen in Name Only: New ID.Unyx 09 Fastback Debuts With Chinese Tech

Volkswagen has unveiled the new ID.Unyx 09 fastback, featuring Chinese electronics and an underlying platform, along with a range of intelligent functions and powerful electric motors.

The new ID.Unyx 09 has a design unlike anything Volkswagen typically sells outside China. The fastback has an aggressively sporty look, with large wheel arches, a long hood with raised sections along the sides, and a sharply sloping roofline. The model also stands apart from other ID.Unyx vehicles with its distinctive headlights. The front lighting is split into two separate sections, with two lamps housed in each unit. Slim taillights stretch across the rear.

Volkswagen has also released the first photo of the interior. Like other ID.Unyx models, the new fastback features a minimalist cabin. That type of design is especially common in vehicles developed for the Chinese market.

The ID.Unyx 09 gets a large touchscreen that handles most of the vehicle's electronic functions, along with a compact digital instrument cluster and a sport-style steering wheel. The center console sits relatively high and incorporates two hidden storage compartments and wireless charging pads. Volkswagen also says the fastback will be equipped with a head-up display featuring augmented-reality capabilities.

The new ID.Unyx 09 is the German automaker's second production model to use XPeng's electronic architecture. The system reduces the number of individual components and wiring by consolidating multiple controllers into a single unit. Volkswagen says the architecture also improves overall vehicle reliability and helps reduce maintenance costs.

The Volkswagen ID.Unyx 09 measures 200.0 inches long, 78.0 inches wide and 59.4 inches tall. Its wheelbase measures 119.3 inches. The fastback will be available with 20- and 21-inch wheels, with powerful brake hardware sitting behind them.

Volkswagen says the fastback supports automated driving. The system is likely based on cameras and other sensors, as there is no lidar sensor mounted on the roof. That could help keep the ID.Unyx 09 relatively affordable.

The ID.Unyx 09 comes standard with a single electric motor producing up to 313 horsepower. An optional dual-motor setup will deliver as much as 503 horsepower. Depending on the configuration, the fastback will offer an estimated driving range of up to 438 or 469 miles.

Volkswagen has not announced a launch date for the ID.Unyx 09. However, with the model now fully revealed, it is expected to reach the Chinese market in the near future.