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VW estimates 342-mile electric range from I.D. hatchback, pricing near diesels

The information came in the form of an almost-overlooked tweet.

Volkswagen

Sometimes, news doesn't make its way to the surface through traditional channels -- sometimes, it's discovered almost a week later, buried in an automaker's board member's tweets.

Jürgen Stackmann, VW's board member in charge of sales and marketing, tweeted on Dec. 6 that the electric I.D. hatchback will tout a VW-estimated 342-mile range on the WLTP cycle, which is the new standard Europe uses to measure economy. This is VW's internal estimate, so it's possible that the actual WLTP figure could be a bit higher or lower, but it should be pretty close.

There is no specific formula to convert WLTP economy estimates to US-friendly EPA numbers. Carscoops, which first reported on Stackmann's tweet, believes that the I.D. hatchback's range will be closer to 290 miles when measured by EPA standards. That's still plenty, considering Stackmann's tweet also claims the I.D. will cost about as much as a current diesel Golf.

The diesel Golf is available in a variety of trims, so the cost can vary -- between $27,000 and $39,000, by Carscoops' estimates (converted from euros, since they're not available in the US anymore). Even nearing the higher end of those estimates, that would pit the I.D. hatchback directly against the in the US, which has similar range estimates. By the time the I.D. makes it to the US, though, it'll have additional competition by way of the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, both of which also promise similar range figures for about the same cost.

While the I.D. hatchback will be the first EV in VW's new I.D. lineup to land in Europe, things are different in the US. Since we can't get enough crossovers at the moment, our first I.D. will be the I.D. Crozz, followed by others like the Buzz microbus and the aforementioned hatchback. Patience is a virtue.

(Hat tip to Jalopnik!) 

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Andrew Krok Reviews Editor / Cars
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.

Article updated on December 18, 2018 at 11:47 AM PST

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Andrew Krok Reviews Editor / Cars
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
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