Volkswagen’s first fully-electric SUV, the ID.4, has received its world premiere completely through the internet. Volkswagen plan to push this electric SUV hard in the USA and China, though we’re sure any country that’s incentivising electric mobility might see these in showrooms soon.
Based on the good response to the Volkswagen ID.3, the ID.4 could be a sales hit.
The VW ID.4’s battery stores 77kWh of charge, enabling a range of 520km according to the WLTP methodology. Like many electric vehicles today, this battery is installed below the passengers, between the front and rear axles. A single 204PS motor drives the rear axle.
It’s capable of a doing the century sprint in just 8.5 seconds, but its top speed is just 160km/h. Though quite obviously designed for soft-roading, the ID.4 has a rather generous 21 cm of ground clearance.
Here are other excerpts from the press release with more details on the new Volkswagen ID.4.
PRESS RELEASE
Dynamic appearance. The ID.4’s exterior has athletic proportions for an ultra-modern appearance. Its clear, flowing design is inspired by nature and guarantees very good aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.28.Its basic version already features headlights that are almost completely equipped with light-emitting diodes while its tail light clusters have been fully equipped with this technology. As the top-of-the-range version, interactive IQ.Light LED matrix headlights are even more progressive: they welcome drivers with swivelling lens modules and generate an intelligently controlled main beam. These headlights have been paired with the new 3D LED tail light clusters. Their tail light is particularly homogeneous and lights up in an intensive red. The large wheels with a diameter of up to 21 inches underline the vehicle’s character.
Spacious concept: long wheelbase, plenty of room for passengers and luggage
The ID.4 with a length of 4.58 metres uses Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) architecture. It divides the space for occupants and technology in a completely new way in favour of passengers. The room available in the vehicle interior is at the level of conventional SUVs in the next category up. Colours and materials are contemporary while also being homely. Depending on the rear seat backrest’s position, the luggage compartment boasts a capacity from 543 to 1,575 litres. The equipment range of the ID.4 includes an electrically driven boot lid, roof railing and a towing bracket.
The E-SUV’s operating concept does not depend on physical buttons and switches. It is based on two displays – one of which diagonally measures up to 12 inches and features touch functionality – as well as “Hello ID.” natural voice control. The new ID.Light – a narrow light strip under the windscreen – intuitively supports drivers. An augmented reality head-up display is optionally available to blend a host of displays with reality – for instance, navigation arrows telling drivers to turn off are projected onto the road surface in exactly the right lane. The Discover Pro navigation system brings We Connect Start online services on board. IQ.Drive assist systems make driving an even more relaxed experience and this particularly applies to Travel Assist. Software and hardware in the ID.4 have been designed as part of a completely new architecture, making it possible for customers to download updates to the car after the purchase.
We Charge: charge at home, when out and about and on long journeys
Together with the ID. models, Volkswagen is launching on the market a complete package for convenient, connected and sustainable charging of electric cars under the name We Charge. This offers the ideal solution for any situation – whether you are at home, out and about or on a long journey. The ID.4 can be recharged with direct current to cover the next 320 km (as per WLTP, at 125 kW) at a DC quick-charging station in around 30 minutes.
In parallel, Volkswagen is establishing an ecosystem of sustainable electric mobility surrounding ID. models. ID.4 customers will receive a vehicle that has been produced with a carbon-neutral balance. And if it is charged using sustainably produced electricity – like Volkswagen Naturstrom – it will remain carbon-neutral on the road too.
Volkswagen’s strategy: the future of mobility is electric
As of late, Volkswagen has been supplementing the brand’s traditional product portfolio with the ID. family: a new, independent product range. Following the compact ID.302, the ID.4 SUV is the second fully electric model. In the future, Volkswagen will be competing in the globally booming compact SUV segment with the ID.4. The ID.4 will be gradually turned into an electrically driven, global car with plans to produce and sell the E-SUV not only in Europe, but also in China and later in the USA. On a whole, Volkswagen brand will be investing eleven billion euros in electric mobility by 2024 as part of the Transform 2025+ strategy.
