Volkswagen ID.Cross News

Skoda has indicated two key SUV electric vehicles (EVs) slated for Australia may have their release dates pushed back. With booming demand for EVs in Europe against a backdrop of war in the Middle East and subsequent spiking oil prices, buyers in Australia may have to wait until the end of next year before they can get behind the wheel of the Epiq small SUV. Likewise, the recently announced Skoda Peaq seven-seater large SUV EV, a companion model to the popular Kodiaq and the stated flagship – or peak – of the Czechian brand’s extensive range, might still be up to two years away from a local launch. According to Skoda Australia Brand Director, Lucie Kuhn, there are a number of factors at play putting pressure on the availability of these two important electric models. “Here in Australia, we are trying to fight to get the launch of global models, the Epiq and Peaq,” she said. “We are awaiting final confirmation.” With sales of EVs expected to eclipse internal combustion engine models for Skoda in Australia, the importance of the Epiq in particular cannot be overstated. Closely related to the just-released VW ID. Polo light car supermini and ID. Cross electric crossover version that are already creating a buzz with strong pre-orders in Europe, it is a key player in the Volkswagen Group’s retaliation against the wave of cheap EVs from China. More specifically, the Epiq uses a modified version of the MEB electrical architecture known as MEB+ designed to slash engineering and production costs. Developed by Seat in Spain (where all models including a Cupra Raval version will be built), it switches from a rear-motor/rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration to a front-motor/front-drive layout. Along with a simpler torsion beam rear suspension set-up and the choice of two modestly sized battery packs of 39kWh (for 310km of WLTP range) and 55kWh (for about 440km WLTP) sizes, the goal here is to save money. Speaking of which, while pricing and specification details have yet to confirmed for our market, the entry-level version is expected to kick off from somewhere in the mid-$30,000 region. This would take the fight up to the BYD Atto 2, GWM Ora 5, Jaecoo J5, Leapmotor B10 and Chery E5. Crucially, at the time of publishing, neither VW has been confirmed for Australia as yet. The Peaq, meanwhile, employs a stretched version of the Enyaq’s MEB architecture, and will offer 60 RWD, 90 RWD and 90X all-wheel drive powertrains. Globally unveiled in late June, Skoda has yet to reveal many details about this model, but it is anticipated that the main target will be the successful Tesla Model Y L, which currently retails from around $75,000 and $90,000 before on-road costs in Australia. If the brand can achieve similar pricing to the latter, it would undercut a host of electric alternatives, including the Kia EV9, Volvo EX90, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Mercedes-Benz EQS. Both models represent strong opportunities for conquest sales for the company. “We are hard at work now, working on Epiq and Peaq,” according to Skoda Australia Head of Product and Marketing, Kieran Merrigan. “The feedback is really awesome, and we can't wait to see the work on them and bring them to market – 2027 for the Epiq, and then late 2027 or 2028 for the Peaq.”

Volkswagen has revealed a new electric counterpart to the T-Cross small SUV. The 2027 Volkswagen ID.Cross is based on the MEB+ dedicated electric platform like the ID.Polo, Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq. While this new electric SUV can be ordered already in Germany, it’s unclear if or when it will be coming to Australia. “The Volkswagen ID.Cross is currently being assessed for the Australian market as part of our ongoing product planning activities,” said a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson. “While we recognise the interest in the vehicle, we are unable to confirm local availability or timing at this stage.” All versions of the ID.Cross are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor but there are three different power tunes. These are 85kW, 99kW and 155kW. There are also two battery packs available, 37kWh and 52kWh. The latter offers up to 427km of WLTP-claimed range. Both battery packs can be AC charged at rates up to 11kW, but the 37kWh battery can be DC fast-charged at rates up to 90kW and the 52kWh battery can be DC fast-charged at rates up to 105kW. This allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 23 and 24 minutes, respectively. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability is available as standard across the line-up at rates up to 3.6kW. It’s available with the use of an adaptor that plugs into the external charge port. On the outside the ID.Cross’ design language is cohesive with the ID.Polo. There are available matrix LED headlights, a rear LED light bar with 3D elements, illuminated VW logos, as well as black-painted pillars to create the illusion of a floating roof. It measures in at 4153mm long, 1794mm wide and 1581mm tall, with a 2601mm wheelbase. This makes it 45mm longer, 34mm wider and 2mm shorter than the T-Cross. The wheelbase is also 38mm longer. Inside there is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that, like the ID.Polo, offers a view mode that emulates the first-generation Golf’s gauges, as well as a 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system. There’s also a panoramic glass sunroof with an electric sunblind, fabric-covered dash panel, piano-key shortcut buttons under the touchscreen, an available 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, heated seats and steering wheel, as well as keyless entry and start. There are a total of five seats, 475 litres of boot space with rear seats upright, as well as a 25-litre frunk. With the reveal of this ID.Cross, it’s unclear what this means for the combustion-powered T-Cross which was originally revealed in 2018 and launched locally in 2019. It was last updated in 2024.