Volkswagen ID.2 nears production looking much like the pint-size EV concept
The Volkswagen ID.2 is getting awfully close to production, but the Polo-size EV is yet to be confirmed for Australian release despite previous indications it would be sold here.
With Volkswagen Australia's on again, off again plans for the long-awaited Golf-size ID.3 hatch now cancelled at least in its current generation, there seems little chance of smaller electric models, such as the ID.2, finding their way to our shores.
The company's local arm had previously said the ID.2 would come to Australia, it was "just a matter of when".
The ID.2 emerges just days after Cupra Australia confirmed the Born, the ID.3's twin-under-the-skin, was now discontinued Down Under, although it maintained "planning for the next evolution of the Born – including the performance VZ – continues".
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
This latest Volkswagen ID.2 prototype was spied on the streets outside the Nurburgring racetrack, and is wearing just the thinnest of disguises.
There are printed covers around the headlights, and tail-lights that give the impression that the car is a humble Polo, but a peek a little more closely and you can see it is basically the 2023 ID. 2all concept (bottom) brought to life.
Sheetmetal changes seem to be limited a simpler bonnet design, and some extra creases on the lower door. There are also larger flagpole-style wing mirrors, and a lightly revised front bumper with a wider and taller lower air intake.
Don't be fooled by the rear door handle stickers. Like the concept, the production car's rear door handles are hidden in the window frame to create the impression of a three-door hatch.
It's unclear what the production version of the ID.2 will be known as, with Martin Sander, the Volkswagen brand's chief of marketing and sales, confirming earlier this year that all new EV models "will get proper names again".
With the concept measuring 4050mm long – a few millimetres less than the Polo – it's possible the ID.2 may be christened ID.Polo or Polo EV.
Reverting to "proper names" follows on from a declaration in 2023 by Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen's head of design, that the marque would ditch the current rounded, cab-forward design of the ID cars for something more normal and traditional for its next-generation EVs.
Whatever it's called, the ID.2 rides on the Volkswagen Group's MEB Entry architecture, which will also underpin the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.
While the larger MEB platform that serves as the basis of most of the automaker's EVs is rear-wheel drive by default, MEB Entry is a front-wheel drive architecture.
At launch, MEB Entry will support 38kWh and 56kWh batteries, with the latter having DC fast-charging up 125kW and a range of around 450km.
In Europe, pricing for the ID.2 is expected to start under €25,000 (A$44,450), meaning it will compete against the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 E-Tech.
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Volkswagen ID.2 is getting awfully close to production, but the Polo-size EV is yet to be confirmed for Australian release despite previous indications it would be sold here.
With Volkswagen Australia's on again, off again plans for the long-awaited Golf-size ID.3 hatch now cancelled at least in its current generation, there seems little chance of smaller electric models, such as the ID.2, finding their way to our shores.
The company's local arm had previously said the ID.2 would come to Australia, it was "just a matter of when".
The ID.2 emerges just days after Cupra Australia confirmed the Born, the ID.3's twin-under-the-skin, was now discontinued Down Under, although it maintained "planning for the next evolution of the Born – including the performance VZ – continues".
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
This latest Volkswagen ID.2 prototype was spied on the streets outside the Nurburgring racetrack, and is wearing just the thinnest of disguises.
There are printed covers around the headlights, and tail-lights that give the impression that the car is a humble Polo, but a peek a little more closely and you can see it is basically the 2023 ID. 2all concept (bottom) brought to life.
Sheetmetal changes seem to be limited a simpler bonnet design, and some extra creases on the lower door. There are also larger flagpole-style wing mirrors, and a lightly revised front bumper with a wider and taller lower air intake.
Don't be fooled by the rear door handle stickers. Like the concept, the production car's rear door handles are hidden in the window frame to create the impression of a three-door hatch.
It's unclear what the production version of the ID.2 will be known as, with Martin Sander, the Volkswagen brand's chief of marketing and sales, confirming earlier this year that all new EV models "will get proper names again".
With the concept measuring 4050mm long – a few millimetres less than the Polo – it's possible the ID.2 may be christened ID.Polo or Polo EV.
Reverting to "proper names" follows on from a declaration in 2023 by Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen's head of design, that the marque would ditch the current rounded, cab-forward design of the ID cars for something more normal and traditional for its next-generation EVs.
Whatever it's called, the ID.2 rides on the Volkswagen Group's MEB Entry architecture, which will also underpin the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.
While the larger MEB platform that serves as the basis of most of the automaker's EVs is rear-wheel drive by default, MEB Entry is a front-wheel drive architecture.
At launch, MEB Entry will support 38kWh and 56kWh batteries, with the latter having DC fast-charging up 125kW and a range of around 450km.
In Europe, pricing for the ID.2 is expected to start under €25,000 (A$44,450), meaning it will compete against the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 E-Tech.
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Volkswagen ID.2 is getting awfully close to production, but the Polo-size EV is yet to be confirmed for Australian release despite previous indications it would be sold here.
With Volkswagen Australia's on again, off again plans for the long-awaited Golf-size ID.3 hatch now cancelled at least in its current generation, there seems little chance of smaller electric models, such as the ID.2, finding their way to our shores.
The company's local arm had previously said the ID.2 would come to Australia, it was "just a matter of when".
The ID.2 emerges just days after Cupra Australia confirmed the Born, the ID.3's twin-under-the-skin, was now discontinued Down Under, although it maintained "planning for the next evolution of the Born – including the performance VZ – continues".
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
This latest Volkswagen ID.2 prototype was spied on the streets outside the Nurburgring racetrack, and is wearing just the thinnest of disguises.
There are printed covers around the headlights, and tail-lights that give the impression that the car is a humble Polo, but a peek a little more closely and you can see it is basically the 2023 ID. 2all concept (bottom) brought to life.
Sheetmetal changes seem to be limited a simpler bonnet design, and some extra creases on the lower door. There are also larger flagpole-style wing mirrors, and a lightly revised front bumper with a wider and taller lower air intake.
Don't be fooled by the rear door handle stickers. Like the concept, the production car's rear door handles are hidden in the window frame to create the impression of a three-door hatch.
It's unclear what the production version of the ID.2 will be known as, with Martin Sander, the Volkswagen brand's chief of marketing and sales, confirming earlier this year that all new EV models "will get proper names again".
With the concept measuring 4050mm long – a few millimetres less than the Polo – it's possible the ID.2 may be christened ID.Polo or Polo EV.
Reverting to "proper names" follows on from a declaration in 2023 by Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen's head of design, that the marque would ditch the current rounded, cab-forward design of the ID cars for something more normal and traditional for its next-generation EVs.
Whatever it's called, the ID.2 rides on the Volkswagen Group's MEB Entry architecture, which will also underpin the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.
While the larger MEB platform that serves as the basis of most of the automaker's EVs is rear-wheel drive by default, MEB Entry is a front-wheel drive architecture.
At launch, MEB Entry will support 38kWh and 56kWh batteries, with the latter having DC fast-charging up 125kW and a range of around 450km.
In Europe, pricing for the ID.2 is expected to start under €25,000 (A$44,450), meaning it will compete against the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 E-Tech.
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Volkswagen ID.2 is getting awfully close to production, but the Polo-size EV is yet to be confirmed for Australian release despite previous indications it would be sold here.
With Volkswagen Australia's on again, off again plans for the long-awaited Golf-size ID.3 hatch now cancelled at least in its current generation, there seems little chance of smaller electric models, such as the ID.2, finding their way to our shores.
The company's local arm had previously said the ID.2 would come to Australia, it was "just a matter of when".
The ID.2 emerges just days after Cupra Australia confirmed the Born, the ID.3's twin-under-the-skin, was now discontinued Down Under, although it maintained "planning for the next evolution of the Born – including the performance VZ – continues".
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
This latest Volkswagen ID.2 prototype was spied on the streets outside the Nurburgring racetrack, and is wearing just the thinnest of disguises.
There are printed covers around the headlights, and tail-lights that give the impression that the car is a humble Polo, but a peek a little more closely and you can see it is basically the 2023 ID. 2all concept (bottom) brought to life.
Sheetmetal changes seem to be limited a simpler bonnet design, and some extra creases on the lower door. There are also larger flagpole-style wing mirrors, and a lightly revised front bumper with a wider and taller lower air intake.
Don't be fooled by the rear door handle stickers. Like the concept, the production car's rear door handles are hidden in the window frame to create the impression of a three-door hatch.
It's unclear what the production version of the ID.2 will be known as, with Martin Sander, the Volkswagen brand's chief of marketing and sales, confirming earlier this year that all new EV models "will get proper names again".
With the concept measuring 4050mm long – a few millimetres less than the Polo – it's possible the ID.2 may be christened ID.Polo or Polo EV.
Reverting to "proper names" follows on from a declaration in 2023 by Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen's head of design, that the marque would ditch the current rounded, cab-forward design of the ID cars for something more normal and traditional for its next-generation EVs.
Whatever it's called, the ID.2 rides on the Volkswagen Group's MEB Entry architecture, which will also underpin the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.
While the larger MEB platform that serves as the basis of most of the automaker's EVs is rear-wheel drive by default, MEB Entry is a front-wheel drive architecture.
At launch, MEB Entry will support 38kWh and 56kWh batteries, with the latter having DC fast-charging up 125kW and a range of around 450km.
In Europe, pricing for the ID.2 is expected to start under €25,000 (A$44,450), meaning it will compete against the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 E-Tech.
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
One in five Volkswagen ID. Buzz buyers will opt for the most expensive one
At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from:
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Former Royal Australian Navy submariners take the plunge with local craft beer brand Deep Elite Brewing
After working underwater for more than a decade in submarines as part of the Royal Australian Navy, Brydon Maslin and Ryan Wilson are now the crew behind local craft beer brand, Deep Elite Brewing. By coincidence, the Adelaide-born brewers both joined the navy on March 10, 2008 but didn't cross paths until they joined the submarine force in Perth. They worked as marine technicians with the Australian fleet around the world, before settling in WA. Both dabbled in home brewing, before deciding to make beer together and joining local ale enthusiasts club West Coast Brewers. The duo started with basic plastic fermenters before transitioning to a stainless steel brewkit. Not one to do things by half, Mr Maslin soon had 14 taps of beer in his back shed so he could host parties, such as birthdays and Oktoberfest celebrations. They even handed out feedback forms so their mates could share their thoughts on the amateur brews. Mr Maslin jokes that the forms equated to research and development, making those early beers tax deductable. Deep Elite's campaign took what Mr Wilson calls a significant turn when they bought a single canning machine and hand-labeller to make beers for friends and family. 'Their encouragement led us to explore the idea of starting our own brewery,' he said. 'Deep Elite Brewing was born, inspired by our submarine background.' The former submariners secured a wholesale license to brew commercially and began contract brewing at Heroes and Villains, Bright Tank, Limestone Coast and Spinifex Brewery, where Mr Maslin is head brewer and Mr Wilson works on the production line. Their first official release as Deep Elite was a cherry sour, brewed at 3 Rivers Brewery in Mandurah and inspired by Mr Maslin's wife's German heritage. The 38-year-old confessed that he didn't drink beer until he travelled to the Black Forest and one of her relatives told him he'd better learn to love the national beverage. Today, Deep Elite is owned by Maslin and Wilson alongside Lee Tough and non-executive director Alan Donovan. Most investors in the brewery are former submariners, who also turn up to help on canning days when it's all hands on deck. Mr Maslin said their navy background has also helped them launch the nascent brand, as they often supply beers to veterans events. Often featuring seafaring puns and references, Deep Elite beers can be found in around 40 shops and a handful of pubs. Their Xtra Sticky Boy Hazy IPA featuring Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired can art earned high praise at the recent Beer and BBQ Festival in Adelaide. A Deep Elite venue is on the distant horizon, explained Mr Maslin, who is more focused on making the next beer — The Hunt for Red Hoptober, a tribute to the 1990 spy thriller starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Submariners take the plunge with new local craft beer brand
After working underwater for more than a decade in submarines as part of the Royal Australian Navy, Brydon Maslin and Ryan Wilson are now the crew behind local craft beer brand, Deep Elite Brewing. By coincidence, the Adelaide-born brewers both joined the navy on March 10, 2008 but didn't cross paths until they joined the submarine force in Perth. They worked as marine technicians with the Australian fleet around the world, before settling in WA. Both dabbled in home brewing, before deciding to make beer together and joining local ale enthusiasts club West Coast Brewers. The duo started with basic plastic fermenters before transitioning to a stainless steel brewkit. Not one to do things by half, Mr Maslin soon had 14 taps of beer in his back shed so he could host parties, such as birthdays and Oktoberfest celebrations. Former Royal Australian Navy submariners Brydon Maslin and Ryan Wilson brew Deep Elite beers at Spinifix Brewing in Stake Hill. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian They even handed out feedback forms so their mates could share their thoughts on the amateur brews. Mr Maslin jokes that the forms equated to research and development, making those early beers tax deductable. Deep Elite's campaign took what Mr Wilson calls a significant turn when they bought a single canning machine and hand-labeller to make beers for friends and family. 'Their encouragement led us to explore the idea of starting our own brewery,' he said. 'Deep Elite Brewing was born, inspired by our submarine background.' The former submariners secured a wholesale license to brew commercially and began contract brewing at Heroes and Villains, Bright Tank, Limestone Coast and Spinifex Brewery, where Mr Maslin is head brewer and Mr Wilson works on the production line. Deep Elite Brewing has collaborated on beers with Wedgetail Brewing, Hogg Culture, Spinifex and other local breweries gaining friends and experience along the way. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Their first official release as Deep Elite was a cherry sour, brewed at 3 Rivers Brewery in Mandurah and inspired by Mr Maslin's wife's German heritage. The 38-year-old confessed that he didn't drink beer until he travelled to the Black Forest and one of her relatives told him he'd better learn to love the national beverage. Today, Deep Elite is owned by Maslin and Wilson alongside Lee Tough and non-executive director Alan Donovan. Most investors in the brewery are former submariners, who also turn up to help on canning days when it's all hands on deck. Deep Elite's Brydon Maslin and Ryan Wilson earned praise at the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival for their triple dry-hopped Xtra Sticky Boy Hazy IPA. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Mr Maslin said their navy background has also helped them launch the nascent brand, as they often supply beers to veterans events. Often featuring seafaring puns and references, Deep Elite beers can be found in around 40 shops and a handful of pubs. Their Xtra Sticky Boy Hazy IPA featuring Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired can art earned high praise at the recent Beer and BBQ Festival in Adelaide. A Deep Elite venue is on the distant horizon, explained Mr Maslin, who is more focused on making the next beer — The Hunt for Red Hoptober, a tribute to the 1990 spy thriller starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin.
