SAIC Volkswagen ID. ERA 5S Hybrid Sedan Opens Pre-Sales in China

SAIC Volkswagen ID. ERA 5S Pre-Sales and Launch

SAIC Volkswagen opened pre-sales on Tuesday for the ID. ERA 5S hybrid sedan, the first sedan globally under the Volkswagen brand with urban NOA (navigation on autopilot) capability. The car is offered in four versions, with pre-sales prices of 119,900 yuan to 149,900 yuan and limited-time prices of 115,900 yuan to 145,900 yuan ($17,070 to $21,493). Consumers who pay a 1,000-yuan deposit receive 5,000 yuan off the balance, positioning the sedan for a competitive market in China.

The ID. ERA 5S will be formally launched at the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show, which opens on August 21, and is the second model in the ID. ERA lineup after the ID. ERA 9X extended-range SUV (sport utility vehicle). The mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan measures 4,836 millimeters long, 1,880 millimeters wide and 1,505 millimeters tall, with a wheelbase of 2,766 millimeters. It has 15 aerodynamic optimizations and a drag coefficient of 0.247, according to SAIC Volkswagen.

Powertrain and Driver Assistance

The sedan uses a dedicated 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid engine with maximum power of 80 kilowatts and a drive motor with peak power of 130 kilowatts (174 hp). Its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery uses cells supplied by Rept Battero Energy (HKEX: 0666). The car has 160 km of CLTC all-electric range, more than 2,000 km of combined range and fuel consumption of 2.82 liters per 100 km with a depleted battery. Charging from 30% to 80% takes 15 minutes, and vehicle-to-load discharging supports 3.5 kilowatts.

For driver assistance, the car is equipped with the Xingyun Zhixing system, which supports highway NOA, urban NOA, automated parking, valet parking, remote parking, reverse tracking and cross-floor memory parking. The system is deeply customized based on Horizon Robotics’ (HKEX: 9660) HSD (Horizon SuperDrive) algorithms, creating a Volkswagen-exclusive one-stage end-to-end model, with AEB working at speeds of up to 140 km per hour. The package is designed for localized driver assistance in China.

Cabin and Exterior Features

Inside, the Yunqi smart cabin has a wraparound layout, a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating instrument screen and a center console free of physical buttons. It also features a 255-color ambient light strip, an AI voice system co-developed with iFlytek, CarPlay, HiCar and Carlink connectivity, and 50-watt wireless charging. The seats offer 10-point massage, while the front passenger seat reclines 145 degrees into a lie-flat mode. The fastback exterior has a closed front end, through-type daytime running light, illuminated logo, semi-hidden door handles and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, as Volkswagen combines global quality standards with localized technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ID. ERA 5S?
The ID. ERA 5S is a mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan that combines a 1.5-liter engine, electric drive motor, LFP battery and advanced driver-assistance functions. It is the first sedan globally under the Volkswagen brand with urban NOA capability. The model is the second vehicle in the ID. ERA lineup, following the ID. ERA 9X extended-range SUV. It will be formally launched at the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show, which opens on August 21, after pre-sales began in China.

What range and charging performance does it offer?
The sedan offers 160 km of CLTC all-electric range and more than 2,000 km of combined range, while its battery charges from 30% to 80% in 15 minutes. With a depleted battery, fuel consumption is rated at 2.82 liters per 100 km. The LFP battery uses cells supplied by Rept Battero Energy. The vehicle also supports 3.5-kilowatt vehicle-to-load discharging, adding an external power function to its plug-in hybrid system.

What driver-assistance functions are available?
The Xingyun Zhixing system supports highway and urban NOA, automated and valet parking, remote parking, reverse tracking and cross-floor memory parking. It is deeply customized using Horizon Robotics’ HSD (Horizon SuperDrive) algorithms to create a Volkswagen-exclusive one-stage end-to-end model. The system also supports AEB operation at speeds of up to 140 km per hour. These functions combine automated driving assistance with parking and maneuvering capabilities across different driving environments.