Volkswagen is preparing to launch a new electric city car named the ID. Up around 2027. This model will be the brand’s most affordable electric vehicle, expected to cost under €20,000. Alongside the return of the well-known “Up” name, the ID. Up will introduce a new electronic architecture that could simplify car design and software updates.
Return of a Familiar Name for an Urban EV
The ID. Up name has been officially registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, signaling Volkswagen’s likely choice for its small electric model. Although the company has not formally confirmed this name, it fits with their current strategy to revive classic model names for their electric lineup, as seen with the ID. Polo and ID. Cross.
The new ID. Up will be a bigger car than the previous Up!, measuring about 3.88 meters in length—almost 30 centimeters longer than the outgoing model. It will be designed primarily for city use and will offer seating for four people with a trunk capacity above 300 liters. This will make it a practical small EV for urban drivers.
New Electronics Architecture Is the Key Innovation
While the ID. Up’s motor and battery specs are consistent with current Volkswagen models like the ID. Polo, the vehicle will debut a significant technical change under the skin. It will feature a zonal electronic/electrical (E/E) system developed by RV Tech, a joint venture between Volkswagen and American EV maker Rivian.
Traditional cars use many separate control units (ECUs) spread throughout the vehicle, each managing specific functions. The zonal system groups these functions into zones—front, center, rear—managed by central computers. The ID. Up will use a single zonal controller, which reduces wiring complexity, lowers costs, and allows software updates to be delivered wirelessly.
This marks the first use of such a zonal E/E architecture in any Volkswagen model and is a clear step forward toward simpler, more flexible electric vehicles. Rivian plans to use the same system for upcoming models in its lineup.
Pricing and Production Plans
The ID. Up will be built at Volkswagen’s factory in Palmela, Portugal, alongside the T-Roc. It is expected to debut in late 2027, with customer deliveries starting in early 2028.
Pricing is set to be aggressive for an EV, targeting under €20,000 before incentives. For context, the current ID. Polo starts at about €25,990 in Spain but can drop to under €18,000 after financing and government aid. If Volkswagen keeps to this pricing, the ID. Up will become their cheapest electric car to date.
Overall, the ID. Up aims to provide affordable electric mobility with smarter technology, making it an interesting new option in the city EV market.
Source: motor.es