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THIS week’s Top Story details how Volkswagen is still fighting to develop a more affordable version of its ID. electric cars, starting with a small SUV that could cost as little as £17,000 before any discounts or the plug-in car grant. It’s unlikely to reach dealerships until the end of 2025. But even by then, will the UK be ready for it? Last week the Transport Select Committee warned MPs of the potential for ‘blackspots’ in more remote areas of the country, where drivers might struggle to find electricity to keep them on the move. The points made echoed those of Kia’s UK president Paul Philpott when he spoke to us recently. He described the situation as already being “critical” because the impending ban on the sale of combustion-engined cars…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● ID.2 SUV, due by 2025, to be followed by ID.1 supermini ● VW is aiming for starting price of around £17,000 VOLKSWAGEN is set to introduce smaller and cheaper all-electric ID. models with an ID.2 baby SUV followed by a supermini EV later, and the cars could well be manufactured by SEAT in Spain. VW has been working on a more affordable version of the all-electric MEB platform that underpins the likes of the ID.3 and Skoda Enyaq for over three years. The project, codenamed MEB Entry, is expected to spawn at least four new models in the middle of the decade for the German and Czech brands, along with SEAT. Following Volkswagen’s existing naming convention, the two badges at the bottom of the ID. line-up, ID.1…

WE’VE already driven VW’s first performance-focused EV, the ID.4 GTX, and now we’ve had the chance to sample the swoopier ID.5 GTX coupé-SUV in prototype form – and it’s mostly great. The sporty ID.5 uses the same powertrain as the ID.4 GTX, which means up to 295bhp and four-wheel drive when needed, so 0-62mph should take an equally swift 6.2 seconds. The pair of electric motors are fed by a 77kWh battery for a claimed range of 308 miles. With an identical Vehicle Dynamics Manager, the ID.5 handles with the same reassuring road manners as the hot ID.4, which means there’s plenty of grip, direct steering and predictable handling. The GTX feels smaller than its size and weight would suggest. You lose a little headroom over the ID.4 in the…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Coupé-SUV joins T-Cross, T-Roc ● Prices from about £20,000 “Taigo will be available with features usually found on larger, more premium models” VOLKSWAGEN has revealed its new Taigo SUV, a compact coupé-like crossover aimed at lifestyle buyers. Although full UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed, the new car will be positioned between the existing T-Cross and T-Roc SUVs on price, which means it could start from around £20,000 when it goes on sale in the UK towards the end of this year. The Taigo is based on VW’s South American-market Nivus SUV, but the brand has “technologically adapted the car for Europe”, equipping it with much more advanced kit and adding a Europe-only, sporty R-Line trim to the line-up. As a result – and depending on trim level –…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Unique look for flagship 2 Series Coupé, due late 2022 ● Power will come from straight-six seen in larger M3 ● Power in excess of 400bhp ● Wider track, stiffer suspension ENGINEERS at BMW’s M division are working on a new model that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser with the brand’s traditional customer base: a second-generation M2 compact performance coupé, which will make its debut in 2022 before going on sale in early 2023. In 2018 BMW M labelled the M2 as its “strongest growth driver”, and it’s a key model in bringing new customers to the M brand. This model will look to take advantage of the latest 2 Series coupé’s platform, which is derived from the most recent 3 and 4 Series. Power will…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars ● Korean maker’s new look ● Two concepts to be revealed SSANGYONG has outlined a bold future by teasing two all-new models with a tough-looking design language. The X200 and J100 models have been revealed in sketches so far, while the Korean company has confirmed that at least one of them will be a fully electric SUV. Both concepts use a new design philosophy called ‘Powered by Toughness’, which appears to be a radical departure from the brand’s current design language. The X200’s overall look is that of a tough, purposeful off-roader with a retro feel, and builds upon the design theme showcased by the SsangYong J100 EV concept, which was released earlier this year. Up front, the X200 has round headlights and vertical grille slats that bring…