VW Group: Driving dynamics are vital to differentiate EVs

Volkswagen Group boss Oliver Blume says electric cars must offer enough differentiation through driving dynamics and design to stand out from ICE models – and to draw customers in.

Mr Blume said he feels EVs are exciting at the top end of the market – he drives a Porsche Taycan – and that there is room to differentiate even the most affordable models in the Group’s line-up.

“We have a lot of opportunities to differentiate in electric platforms. You can see already on the products we are having in the market - the Cupras and Volkswagens are different in many, many, many aspects. The Porsche Taycan and the Audi GT e-tron are different,” he said.

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Porsche Taycan 4S

“That's the big opportunity Volkswagen Group has got compared to all the new competitors.

"We have a big history, we have big icons, develop[ing] them and bringing in our experience in design, I'm convinced that's a big advantage we do have compared with all the other new players in the market,” said Mr Blume.

It’s not just making the cars behave differently in terms of driving dynamics, but also approaching each brand’s spin-off EV model with a clean sheet mentality in terms of design, that Mr Blume says will work to VW Group’s advantage.

“Design is one of the most important arguments for the customers, but also for us. Quality plays a big role, and then our knowledge to bring into the cars this driving ability, there we have our strengths, and these strengths combine with new technology,” he said.

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Volkswagen ID.3

Mr Blume indicated that while VW Group is moving fast towards a future with a vast number of EVs, there is still about a decade of internal combustion on the roadmap.

“I think we will be in the transformation at least for the next 10 years or more,” he said. “And therefore we are offering a mix of technologies, successful combustion-engine cars, hybrid and electric mobility with a strong ramp-up curve.

“We have the target in Europe for Volkswagen brand for example, selling over 80 per cent electric cars by 2030. Porsche worldwide [target by 2030] is 80 per cent,” he said.

“We are in the middle of a transformation, and we said our strategy is clearly on electromobility – and I'm convinced electric technology will be more competitive than combustion-engine cars. But the ramp-up curve is a ramp-up curve.”

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Volkswagen ID GTI concept

What's coming to Australia?

Although it has been held up with delays and product cycles, Volkswagen Group Australia is set to launch a plethora of electric cars in 2024.

Those will include the VW ID. 3, VW ID. 4 (including GTX), VW ID. 5 (including GTX), VW ID. Buzz. Skoda will launch the 210kW Enyaq Coupe, and Cupra is set to add an updated version of the Born.