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Volkswagen to debut new EV in Paris – report

Volkswagen is set to reveal the first of its 30 upcoming electric vehicle (EV) models at the Paris motor show in October, according to new reports.


A new article published by German magazine Wirtschafts Woche claims that Volkswagen’s CEO, Hebert Diess, confirmed the company will reveal a Golf-sized electric prototype, which will make it to production around 2018-2019.

Diess said the vehicle will offer a pure-electric range of 400-600 kilometres with charge times as little as 15 minutes - which would give Tesla a serious run for its money.

The CEO added the new EV will be about the size of a Golf, but with interior space comparable to the larger Passat.

In order to achieve this, the new EV would likely need a taller, MPV-like body, possibly something along the lines of the Budd-e concept (above) unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January - which is reported to go into production in the near future.

Underpinning the VW EV will be the company’s new ‘MEB’ modular electric platform, which is “designed for all body structures and vehicle types” according to Volkswagen.

UK website Autocar reports that Diess has challenged the company's engineering team to create “the Volkswagen for the digital age”, setting new benchmarks for EV performance along with developing industry-leading connectivity and infotainment systems to showcase the company’s technical capabilities.


Above: Volkswagen e-Up! and e-Golf

In June the Volkswagen Group released its ‘Together - Strategy 2025’ plan, which detailed the aim to release more than 30 new all-electric (EV) and electrically-assisted vehicles across its numerous sub-brands by 2025 - this new prototype is likely to preview the first of these models.

Currently in overseas markets, Volkswagen sells the all-electric e-Up! and e-Golf hatches, along with numerous plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, including the GTE variants of the Golf and Passat.

Throughout the wider Volkswagen Group, luxury arm Audi offers e-tron PHEV versions of the A3 hatch and Q7 SUV, while performance brand Porsche sells S e-Hybrid derivatives of the Cayenne SUV and Panamera four-door coupe.


Above: Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE

Volkswagen’s shift of focus to battery power doesn't come long after the well-documented Dieselgate saga, which could be a sign the company is looking to change public perception and send out the message its vehicles are clean.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for an update when the Paris motor show kicks off at the beginning of October.

What do you think of Volkswagen’s claims for its new electric vehicle? Let us know in the comments below

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