- ID. Unyx 09 took just two years to develop.
- This is the second EV that VW has engineered with Xpeng.
- The electric sedan is one of 20+ vehicles the VW Group is launching this year in China.
The 2026 Beijing Auto Show hasn’t even started yet, but the Volkswagen Group is already starting to get in on the act by unveiling some of its newest models. We’ve seen the Jetta reinvented as a boxy electric SUV, and now it’s time to see what might be the most exciting sedan since the Arteon.
ID. Unyx 09 may not be the most exciting name, but it’s an interesting addition to VW’s lineup in China. This electric sedan was engineered with Xpeng who also helped develop the ID. The Unyx 08 electric SUV was revealed late last year. Both models are products of the Volkswagen Anhui joint venture, which was founded in 2017 by VW and JAC Motors, with VW currently holding a 75 percent controlling stake.
Just like the SUV, which bears little resemblance to global VW models, the sedan is different from legacy products like the Jetta in the US market or many sedans sold in China. Echo ID. The Unyx 08, features split headlights with wide-top LED daytime running lights flanking the illuminated VW logo.
Photo by: Volkswagen
The unusual black strip on the front bumper extends to the fenders and even the doors, while the A-pillars, roof and rear-view mirrors are also finished in black. VW is still tight-lipped about the specifications, but we can see 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires and paired with Brembo brakes. The sloping roofline hints at an Arteon-style rear door, despite the ID. The Unyx 09 appears to retain the conventional trunk.
Overall, the styling is less rounded than the ID.7 sold in Europe and other markets. With Xpeng’s help, VW only took two years to develop the ID. Unyx 09, but this is a car we’re unlikely to see outside of China. Measuring about 197 inches (five meters) long, it is slightly larger than the ID.7. Such large proportions suggest it could become VW’s flagship sedan in China, where the brand already offers a range of models, including the Lavida Pro, Sagitar, Lamando L, Magotan and Passat Pro.
The VW Group has big plans to revive its operations in China, preparing for what it calls its “biggest ever product offensive” in the region. More than 20 electric vehicle models will be launched this year alone, and another 30 new vehicles are scheduled for the end of the decade. Nobody will wear a Skoda badge, as the brand will be phased out in China by the end of this year. The Jetta sub-brand is expected to fill a gap in that hierarchy, along with another China-only brand: AUDI.
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Source: Volkswagen
Motorcycle Pickup1: We hope VW will take more design risks outside of China. A wider sedan range would be a welcome change in today’s SUV-dominated market, especially after the Passat and Arteon were discontinued. However, a large electric sedan like this would overlap with the ID.7, giving VW little incentive to sell it globally.
It remains to be seen whether the partnership with Xpeng will bear fruit in a market where VW has been in decline for years. The design is indeed attractive, but that alone may not be enough to be used as an ID. Unyx 08 to establish a strong foothold amidst stiff local competition.
