SAIC Volkswagen will launch the ID. ERA 8X, a large five-seat SUV with a range-extender powertrain, on Oct 12, according to NetEase Auto. The model, the third in the ID. ERA family, will be offered in four trims and is positioned as a "German-style driving flagship SUV" combining driving dynamics with family comfort.
The entry-level Pro trim comes standard with a 192-line LiDAR, Momenta R7 world model for advanced driver assistance, 800V high-voltage fast charging, the EA211 range extender, front double-wishbone and rear five-link independent suspension, a 15.6-inch dual screen, head-up display, a 12-liter dual-door refrigerator, Nappa leather seats, and 10-point massage for front seats. Higher trims add features such as intelligent all-wheel drive, dual-chamber air suspension, electric doors, and a continuously variable damping shock absorber.
Range and performance
The Max long-range version is equipped with a 65.2kWh CATL battery, offering a CLTC electric-only range of 451 km (about 280 miles) and a combined range of 1,602 km (about 995 miles). CLTC figures are typically 15-20% more optimistic than WLTP, so the WLTP estimate would be around 361-383 km (224-238 miles) electric-only. The Ultra long-range version adds dual zero-gravity front seats, a powered leg rest for the rear right seat, a 23-speaker 7.1.4 surround sound system, adaptive matrix headlights, and 21-inch wheels.
The ID. ERA 8X accelerates from 0-100 km/h in as little as 4.6 seconds, with a measured depleted-battery fuel consumption of 5.85 L/100km. It can run on 92-octane gasoline. The 800V architecture enables charging from 10% to 80% in 16 minutes, and the vehicle supports 3.5kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) discharge for camping appliances.
Driver assistance and comfort
The SUV comes with 26 perception sensors, including the 192-line LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, and high-definition cameras. It debuts a parking-to-parking (D2D) navigation function that handles both driving and parking from departure to destination, including passing through toll gates. The Momenta R7 world model, which will also be pushed to existing ID. ERA 9X owners via over-the-air update from Sept 28, improves safety in lane changes and obstacle avoidance, with the company claiming a nearly 10-fold improvement in avoiding stationary vehicles and a 15-fold increase in lane-change efficiency.
The vehicle measures 5,020mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,970mm. It features 270-degree wraparound interior, Nappa leather seats with heating, ventilation and massage for both rows, and a rear seat recline of up to 133 degrees. A Smart Surface door panel screen lets rear passengers adjust seats and temperature, and monitors for approaching traffic when opening doors. The 12-liter refrigerator holds eight 550ml bottles.
SAIC Volkswagen says the ID. ERA 8X completed over 1 million km of road testing and 500,000 km of endurance testing, including high-temperature trials in Xinjiang and extreme cold tests, following Volkswagen's global validation standards. The battery pack features seven layers of thermal runaway protection and can withstand 2,000J of impact, with nine airbags standard across all trims. According to NetEase Auto, the company has addressed skepticism about its test footage by providing third-party verification videos.
