Volkswagen is answering range anxiety with sheer size and a fuel tank. Its first extended-range electric vehicle is not a compact commuter but a vast luxury SUV aimed at drivers who want electric power without sacrificing long-distance confidence. The new ID. Era 9X turns the brand’s electrification strategy into a rolling statement piece, pairing a big battery with a combustion generator in a body that fully earns the “land yacht” label.
Instead of chasing minimalist efficiency, Volkswagen is betting that comfort, presence, and effortless mileage will win over families and premium buyers who are not ready to live within the limits of public charging. The result is a flagship that stretches beyond traditional rivals, introduces a fresh design language, and quietly signals how the company plans to bridge the gap between combustion and full battery power in key markets.
The ID. Era 9X: Big battery, bigger body
The ID. Era 9X is the production centerpiece of Volkswagen’s extended-range push in China, evolving from the earlier ERA concept that the company described as its first extended-range full-size SUV with a total range of over 1,000 kilometers. That concept previewed the formula now reaching showrooms: a substantial battery pack, a gasoline engine working purely as a generator, and a cabin sized for long-haul comfort. Earlier development work, including the IDRA range-extended SUV shown by Jun at the Greater Bay Area Auto Show, signaled that Volkswagen was serious about pairing electric drive with a backup engine rather than relying on charging networks alone, a direction reinforced by the IDRA program.
On the road, the ID. Era 9X is defined first by its footprint. The extra-large SUV measures 5.2 metres long, making it considerably larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and positioning it firmly in the full-size luxury bracket. Other reporting notes that the vehicle is larger than an Audi Q7 and ushers in a new design language for Volkswagen, with a long, almost yacht-like profile that prioritizes rear-seat space and road presence over tight urban maneuverability.
Extended-range tech: how the “land yacht” works
Underneath the imposing bodywork, the ID. Era 9X uses a plug-in hybrid layout tuned for electric-first driving. It is described as a Plug-in Hybrid With An, using a Volkswagen EA2 engine as a generator to support the electric motors in an all-wheel-drive layout. That setup allows the SUV to cover substantial daily distances on battery power alone, then lean on the engine to keep the pack topped up on longer trips, a strategy that mirrors the ERA concept’s promise of more than 1,000 kilometers of total range while avoiding the weight and cost of an even larger battery.
Regulatory filings in China flesh out the electric side of the equation. The ID. ERA 9X is listed with a battery capacity of 65.2 kWh, delivering a range exceeding 400 km on battery alone, before the generator extends the distance further. The model also integrates a LiDAR sensor on the roofline, underscoring Volkswagen’s intent to pair its new drivetrain with advanced driver-assistance hardware. In China, the company has highlighted that the ID. Era 9X EREV’s Size is a selling point in itself, measuring just over 17.1 feet long and marketed as a flagship for buyers who want both cutting-edge tech and a commanding footprint in China.
From China to the U.S. and Europe: a global bridge strategy
Volkswagen is not treating the ID. Era 9X as a one-off for Chinese showrooms. According to reporting that cites Volkswagen Group planning, the company is actively considering extended-range EVs for the U.S. and Europe, viewing the technology as a way to ease customers into electrification while public charging infrastructure catches up. According to Reuters, the Group, which includes Audi, is weighing whether to bring similar EREV setups to Western markets where long-distance driving and towing remain sticking points for pure battery models.
The company’s American off-road brand is already part of that calculus. VW’s Scout Already Announced a Similar Strategy The brand will lean on extended-range setups for its rugged American products, positioning Scout as a test bed for customers who want electric torque but still expect to venture far beyond fast chargers. Separate reporting notes that the Group has already announced plans for its Scout brand to sell extended-range models in the U.S., even as it stops short of confirming when the main Volkswagen badge or Audi will follow.
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