Volkswagen has plans for a whole new car family called ID.Era in China. It will include a sedan called the 5S and three SUVs – 8X, 9X, and 5X. A prototype of the latter has now been spotted on public roads.
Autohome.cn, the website that posted the images, points out that the SUV inexplicably lacks a characteristic LiDAR hump above the windshield. Since most Chinese EVs ship with at least one LiDAR included these days, it’s quite a mystery why this prototype has none. Our guesses include an early design iteration, a bare-bones cheap spec, or a LiDAR that’s somehow concealed behind the windshield.
While Volkswagen envisions hybrid powertrains for the ID.Era 5S, 8X and 9X, the 5X seen here is actually an exception. The company has recently confirmed that it is going to be an all-electric model.
All further details will have to wait until closer to Q4 2026, which is when the premiere is expected to take place.