The FAW-Volkswagen ID. AURA T6 electric SUV. Its 2 higher-end variants feature LiDAR. Credit: FAW-Volkswagen.
- FAW-Volkswagen has launched the ID. AURA T6 electric SUV in China, starting at 129,900 yuan ($19,240) and offering a CLTC range of up to 660 km.
- The 2 higher-end variants feature LiDAR, while all versions use the CEA electronic and electrical architecture jointly developed by Volkswagen and Xpeng.
FAW-Volkswagen officially launched the ID. AURA T6 electric SUV (sport utility vehicle) on Sunday with a starting price below its pre-sales level, tapping locally developed smart technology to attract Chinese family buyers.
The 5-seat mid-size SUV is available in 4 variants, priced from 129,900 yuan ($19,240) to 166,900 yuan.
Pre-sales for the ID. AURA T6 began on August 28, with prices ranging from 135,900 yuan to 169,900 yuan. The starting price at launch is 6,000 yuan, or about 4.4%, lower.
The 540 Pro and 660 Pro versions are priced at 129,900 yuan and 139,900 yuan, respectively. The LiDAR-equipped 660 Max and 660 Ultra cost 149,900 yuan and 166,900 yuan.
The launch prices for the 660 Pro and 660 Max are both 10,000 yuan below their pre-sales levels, while the 660 Ultra is 3,000 yuan lower.
The ID. AURA T6 is the first model in FAW-Volkswagen’s new AURA lineup and Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV to offer LiDAR, tasked with strengthening the brand’s competitiveness in China’s EV market.
The 2 higher-end variants use a driver-assistance system developed by Carizon, Volkswagen’s joint venture with Chinese ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) solutions provider Horizon Robotics (HKEX: 9660).
The system combines 192-channel LiDAR with a Horizon Robotics Journey 6H chip delivering 420 TOPS of computing power. It supports urban and highway NOA (navigation on autopilot), as well as multiple parking-assistance functions.
The model uses the CEA (China Electronic Architecture) electronic and electrical architecture jointly developed by Volkswagen and Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), combining central computing with zonal control.
The architecture supports over-the-air updates, sentry mode and remote vehicle control. The cockpit uses a 4-nanometer chip and supports on-device deployment of large AI models.
The technology partnerships underscore Volkswagen’s growing reliance on Chinese development teams and local partners to respond more quickly to the needs of Chinese consumers.
All ID. AURA T6 variants feature a single motor with a peak output of 170 kW (228 hp), with battery options of 59.9 kWh and 77.5 kWh.
The battery packs deliver CLTC ranges of 540 kilometers and 660 kilometers, respectively, and are supplied by CATL (HKEX: 3750).
The model measures 4,811 mm in length, 1,879 mm in width and 1,648 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,836 mm.
The cabin features a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 25.8-inch augmented-reality head-up display.
The vehicle offers a 90-liter frunk and 576 liters of rear cargo space, expandable to 1,796 liters, emphasizing storage capacity for family users.
The ID. AURA T6 made its exterior debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April and is part of Volkswagen’s 2026 product offensive in China.
Under plans announced earlier this year, Volkswagen will introduce a total of 13 new models in China in 2026, including 7 all-new new energy vehicles (NEVs). FAW-Volkswagen will contribute 4 NEVs, including 2 AURA models.
Volkswagen Group previously outlined plans to launch more than 30 all-new NEVs in China by 2029. FAW-Volkswagen aims to increase the NEV share of its sales to about 60% by 2030.
The updated ID. UNYX 08 starts at a limited-time price of 189,900 yuan ($28,030), 17.4% below its starting price at its April launch.
($1 = 6.7521 yuan)
