Volkswagen ID.4 all-electric SUV to have rear- and all-wheel-drive options

MANILA: Volkswagen has finally unveiled its long distance, all-electric compact SUV that comes with a range of 402 kilometers on one full charge, the ID.4.

The biggest external cue that this is an electric vehicle (EV) is the fact that there is no grille, seeing as it has no radiator. It uses LED headlamps on both sides of the centrally-positioned and illuminated VW logo and below is a panel with a honeycomb design and large intake-like scoops on either side. Despite being an SUV, VW has managed to give it an excellent drag coefficient of 0.28. Customers can choose between an array of colors including Glacier White Metallic, Mythos Black Metallic, Moonstone Grey, Scale Silver Metallic, Blue Dusk Metallic and King’s Red Metallic. All models come with a body color roof, black roof rails, and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

It uses steel to form the chassis and body. The front suspension is a strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar. In the rear, the ID.4 uses a multi-link rear axle with coil springs, telescopic dampers and an anti-roll bar. In front are disc brakes while the rear uses drum brakes because disc brakes in the rear are less effective than drums after long periods of not being used heavily when it comes to regenerative braking.

Inside is cabin space similar to the Tiguan despite being smaller than the latter. Almost all functionality is completely controlled by touch or voice control. It has a 5.3-inch ID.Cockpit (digital driver display) in the instrument cluster and a 10-inch Discover Pro touch infotainment display is located in the middle of the dash panel, angled slightly towards the driver. “Hello ID.” natural voice control is standard in the ID.4. The car follows the instructions spoken by the driver and passengers and is capable of understanding many commands from everyday language, such as “Hello ID., I’m cold” to turn up the heat. A light strip just below the windshield gives the driver visual prompts as to the condition of the vehicle. For example, ID. Light signals to the driver that the vehicle’s drive system is active and that the car has been unlocked or locked. It accentuates information issued by some of the driver-assistance and navigation systems and signals, both visually and acoustically, details like charge status indicator, braking prompts and incoming phone calls. Standard features include rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone Climatronic climate control, and KESSY keyless access. To manage cold temperatures, the ID.4 features a standard heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors and washer nozzles, and, on all-wheel-drive models, a heated windshield.

Powering the ID.4 is a battery pack comprised of 288 pouch cells in 12 modules, positioned in the underbody to create a low center of gravity for optimal driving dynamics as well as extremely well-balanced weight distribution. It is housed in a lightweight aluminum structure that is bolted to the frame, helping to improve rigidity. At initial acceleration, the vehicle will be offered with an 82kWh (gross) battery and a rear-mounted AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 201hp and 309Nm of torque. Volkswagen estimates that the ID.4 82kWh rear-wheel-drive 1st Edition models will have a range of 250 miles with a full charge on the EPA cycle. A powerful, electric all-wheel-drive variant with 302hp will follow later in 2021. It can be charged with both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast-charging capability. The 11 kW onboard charger allows the ID.4 to charge the battery for 53 kilometers in about one hour, and charges to full in around seven and a half hours at a home or public Level 2 charger. At a DC fast-charging station, with 125kW charging, the ID.4 can go from five to 80% charged in about 38 minutes.

It features six airbags as standard—front and side airbags for front passengers, and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions. Additionally there are a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All ID.4 models include Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor (Side Assist); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist); Travel Assist; and Emergency Assist. In addition to IQ.DRIVE features, the ID.4 includes Dynamic Road Sign Display; Park Distance Control; and High Beam Control (Light Assist).

“The ID.4 was engineered, loaded and priced to win the hearts of SUV owners who are simply ready to go electric—and fall in love with Volkswagen again. It drives like a GTI, it has the packaging of a Tiguan and the purpose of the Beetle. All the best things about VW in one package,” said Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh.

Photos from Volkswagen

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