Skip advert
Advertisement

New Volkswagen ID. Code concept is an insight into the brand's EV future

Aimed at ‘younger customers’, the ID. Code launches a new design and technology era according to VW

Volkswagen has given us an insight into the future of its electric cars with the new ID. Code concept - revealed at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show. The ID. Code previews an all-electric large SUV from VW, but in production form it’ll be limited to the Chinese market. 

The production model of the VW ID. Code will sit as the flagship model of Volkswagen’s newly-announced ID.UX sub-brand in China with a focus on lifestyle-oriented models. ID.UX is pitched at a younger audience, according to Volkswagen. 

Volkswagen also says the ID. Code’s “aesthetics are completely new”; adding that with “powerful, clear and fluid surfaces the concept car is reminiscent of a Gran Turismo”. The ID. Code certainly features a sleeker profile than Volkswagen’s current crop of SUVs with a coupe-like swept-back roofline. There’s a full-width rear light bar broken up by an illuminated VW badge and to the front a set of large, thin headlights that flow into yet another light-up VW badge. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, there’s only seating for four - perhaps underlining the ID .Code’s more youthful approach in contrast to more capacious five-seater family SUVs. A yoke-style steering wheel features and the central touchscreen extends out from the centre console rather than sitting on the dash - which itself includes a wraparound display that stretches the full width of the cabin. The front passenger seat can also be turned 180 degrees to face the rear occupants.

The ID. Code is ready for level-four autonomous driving, says Volkswagen, which allows for zero human interaction - although the driver can still take control at any point. The exterior of the car will light up when it's in autonomous mode to warn other road users. 

Volkswagen hasn’t said what architecture the ID. Code will use, although a variety of battery sizes will be possible and it’ll come with a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. 

Would you like to see the production version of the VW ID. Code concept come to the UK? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

First look inside the new Volkswagen ID. Polo – complete with proper buttons
New Volkswagen ID. Polo - interior, front

First look inside the new Volkswagen ID. Polo – complete with proper buttons

The Renault 5 rival is due to be revealed in full this spring and will hit the streets before the end of the year
News
3 Jan 2026
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more that you need to know about
Best cars & vans
2 Jan 2026
What cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full list with our best (and worst) picks
Electric car charging mega test - Renault 5 front angled

What cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full list with our best (and worst) picks

More than 40 electric cars are now eligible for a Government-funded discount. Which should you go for from the ever-growing list?
News
19 Dec 2025
All-new Volkswagen ID. Cross spied as butch Ford Puma rival gets into shape
Volkswagen ID. Cross production car spy shots

All-new Volkswagen ID. Cross spied as butch Ford Puma rival gets into shape

The all-electric alternative to the Volkswagen T-Cross will go on sale before the end of 2026, and is expected to start from around £25k
News
16 Dec 2025

Most Popular

Alpine might have finally delivered a premium French car that Brits will take seriously
Alpine A390 flag

Alpine might have finally delivered a premium French car that Brits will take seriously

Steve Walker thinks sports car brand Alpine could well solve the long-standing French premium car problem…  but by the back door
Opinion
1 Jan 2026
Fiat Panda super test: the 45-year evolution of Italy’s small car icon
Fiat Panda test - head-on

Fiat Panda super test: the 45-year evolution of Italy’s small car icon

A lot has changed since the Fiat Panda first appeared in 1980. To mark the Italian hatchback’s 45th anniversary, we brought together examples from eig…
Car group tests
1 Jan 2026
What do car journalists drive? The cars our experts spent their own cash on
Auto Express team members standing with their own cars

What do car journalists drive? The cars our experts spent their own cash on

The Auto Express content team is fortunate enough to drive many cars on a regular basis. But that knowledge sometimes translates into unusual private …
Features
29 Dec 2025