First car on Xpeng platform: VW Anhui launches production of the ID. UNYX 08
In 2023, Volkswagen announced a close partnership with Xpeng for the Chinese market and acquired a roughly 5% stake in the company. Since then, both partners, together with Volkswagen’s IT subsidiary Cariad, have been developing a new platform called China Electronic Architecture (CEA), which achieved series production readiness in January 2026.
This CEA platform will debut in the ID. UNYX 07, a battery-electric saloon measuring 4.85 metres in length—around 11 centimetres shorter than the European ID.7—and powered by a 170 kW motor.
However, even before the launch of this first CEA-based model, Volkswagen has now started series production of the nearly identically named ID. UNYX 08 in Anhui, which was unveiled in November 2025. Its unique feature: while the battery-electric SUV is not yet based on the CEA platform, it was still developed in collaboration with Xpeng. Specifically, the ID. UNYX 08 uses Xpeng’s so-called Edward platform, which also underpins the battery-electric SUV Xpeng G9. Volkswagen highlights the rapid development pace: the ID. UNYX 08 achieved series production readiness in just 24 months.
The ID. UNYX 08 measures exactly five metres in length, 1.95 metres in width, and 1.69 metres in height, with a wheelbase of 3.03 metres. This makes the ID. UNYX 08 slightly larger than the current Xpeng G9 (4.89 metres, 1.94 metres, 1.67 metres, and a 2.99-metre wheelbase).
The powertrain output of the single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant matches the Xpeng G9’s 230 kW. The all-wheel-drive version features an additional electric motor on the front axle, delivering 140 kW—compared to the G9’s officially stated 175 kW. In total, VW Anhui has registered three variants with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT): two single-motor versions and one all-wheel-drive variant, with curb weights ranging between 2.19 and 2.36 tonnes. The model is equipped with 800-volt technology and a Level 2 advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), and it will receive continuous over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, commented on the new battery-electric SUV: “Our ´In China, for China` strategy is delivering results. With the ID.UNYX 08, we are launching the Group’s largest electric vehicle offensive in China. On average, the Volkswagen Group is launching one new electric car every two weeks this year. That’s ´China Speed`. The ID.UNYX 08 is the first Volkswagen model in a new generation of smart electric vehicles that will carry our strengths into the electric age. The car is fully tailored to Chinese customer needs, equipped with cutting-edge technology, and was developed locally in less than two years. This underscores the implementation strength of our partnership with Xpeng.”
Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng added: “With the ID.UNYX 08 entering series production, our cooperation with Volkswagen Group has delivered a tangible result. Built on mutual trust and close collaboration, this partnership allows both sides to combine our strengths and create long-term value. We look forward to continued cooperation and a win-win future.”
The Volkswagen Group plans to introduce more than 20 new NEV models in China this year, including battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range-extender models. By 2030, a total of 50 new NEV models are set to be launched.
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