Volkswagen Passat electric: 2023 release date confirmed for ID Aero sedan and wagon with 700km of range

Volkswagen has confirmed an electric sedan similar to the Passat will go on sale in 2023 with around 700km of driving range.

Speaking at the brand’s annual media conference on Tuesday, Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter confirmed the vehicle referred to as the ‘Aero B’ would be unveiled in mid-April 2022 in Beijing before it goes on sale in China the following year.

Once rolled out to other major markets, the Aero B will compete against other medium-to-large electric sedans including the Tesla Model 3, BYD Han and Polestar 2. 

While this new model has a working title of Aero B, Volkswagen is likely to call it the ID Aero when it goes on sale in order to fall into line with the rest of the marque’s electric vehicle naming scheme. 

The Aero B will be based on VW’s modular electric vehicle platform that also underpins the ID3 hatch, ID4 midsize SUV, ID6 large SUV and the recently unveiled ID Buzz people mover.

The announcement was supported by a single digital sketch of the Aero B, showing off a sedan-like vehicle similar to the Passat, though the sloping rear end points to a shape similar to that of the closely-related Arteon coupe-sedan.

While the final design may differ, the sketch shows a smooth front grille with large side pods that flare outwards to hint at performance intentions.

Such intentions are not out of the question either, with the Cupra Born hot hatch sharing the same MEB platform and producing up to 150kW – with a ‘GTX’ version in the works that could feature AWD.

Mr Brandstätter said the Aero B will feature a luxurious interior with “unprecedented space” inside, undoubtedly due to the packaging benefits of using a dedicated electric-vehicle platform.

Volkswagen has previously unveiled sedan and wagon concepts known as the ID Vizzion and ID Space Vizzion that share several styling cues to the Aero B sketch shown on stage.

With the Aero B set to serve as an electric equivalent to the Passat, it’s likely Volkswagen will produce both sedan and wagon versions to cater to a global market.