A car for all occasions

With the ID.3, Volkswagen took e-Cars out of the niche and opened a new chapter in individual sustainable mobility. Now the story continues with the ID.4 SUV. The latest e-Model from the ID. family starts in the world’s largest market segment, the compact SUV class.

According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), one in four people in Germany alone drives a vehicle in the compact class, one in eight a mid-size car, and already one in twelve an SUV. For all these people, the ID.4 may be their next car. Why? Because the Volkswagen brand’s first electric SUV pretty much disproves all preconceptions about e-Cars, offers many different usage options and is therefore likely to be attractive to a broad customer base.

The ID.4 is launched in Europe with two different edition models – the ID.4 1ST and the ID.4 1ST Max. In Germany, they cost 49,950 euros and 59,950 euros respectively (both with 19 percent VAT). Those customers are also entitled to a net subsidy of 9,000 euros each. This puts the ID.4 on a price level with the Tiguan – Germany’s most popular SUV.

Volkswagen wants to attract a broad customer group with the CO₂-neutral compact SUV. That’s the reason why not only plenty of space inside the car but also the most compact possible dimensions on the outside are important factors. The modular electric drive matrix (MEB) makes both possible. Because the lithium-ion battery is located in the vehicle floor and the motor is mounted directly in front of the rear axle, the spacious ID.4 offers exterior dimensions like a compact car. This means it fits into almost any parking space and has no problems even on narrow roads.

Numerous assistance systems also support driving in city traffic and parking. The “Front Assist” emergency braking system comes as standard in the ID.4. This enables the car to detect pedestrians and obstacles and prevent an imminent collision. The standard acoustic parking aid is also helpful and also brings an automatic maneuvering brake function. In addition, the ID.4 has a turning circle of around 10.2 meters – astonishingly small for its size.

The ID.4 is a versatile family vehicle, a practical SUV – and a car that guarantees driving fun. Because it’s not just the large wheels with a diameter of up to 21 inches that show off the car’s sporty, robust character: An electric motor sits directly in front of the rear axle of the ID.4, driving the wheels via a 1-speed transmission. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 8.5 seconds in the most powerful version, and the top speed is limited to 160 km/h. Thanks to even weight distribution on both axles, the ID.4 also offers great traction. The rear-wheel drive is an additional fun factor. A sporty top model with all-wheel drive will soon follow.

The good performance data also has to do with the highly developed aerodynamics. In addition to the flowing basic shape of the body, many detailed solutions contribute to this outstanding outcome. For example, the taillights together with the large roof-edge spoiler ensure a clean break in the flow. Added to this is the unusually low center of gravity for an SUV. Depending on the equipment, the ID.4 is around 10 centimeters lower than the Tiguan and impresses with agile handling – not least thanks to rear-wheel drive and its 50:50 weight distribution on the two axles.

The nice thing is that the driver can decide spontaneously whether they want their e-SUV to be more sporty or comfortable. The magic word for this is DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control). The adaptive chassis control can be ordered as an option. It is linked to the driving profile selection, which offers a choice of Eco, Comfort and Individual modes. Both systems make the range between comfort and sportiness even wider. Here, too, the e-SUV leaves nothing else to be desired.