Infotainment. The standard App Connect function enables media to be streamed via a smartphone, which can be embedded in its native environment using Android Auto, Apple Car Play and Mirror Link. The optional infotainment package expands the cockpit with the Discover Pro navigation system with 10-inch display. A smartphone is connected to the on-board electronics via the Comfort mobile phone interface and can be charged inductively in the centre console. The Plus infotainment package has a navigation system with 12-inch display, adds practical additional functions to the radio with Ready 2 Discover Max, and generates a rich ambient sound thanks to the amplified sound system with six speakers and subwoofers.
We Connect Start. The We Connect Start online services connect the ID.4 to the owner’s smartphone and traffic infrastructure. One area of We Connect Start comprises the navigation services, which include Online Traffic Information and an online map update function. For longer journeys, the Online Route Calculation function plans the charging stops so that the destination is reached as quickly as possible. With the Charging Stations service, nearby stations can be located – also taking into account current occupancy and prices. Customers can also use the app to remotely control the charging5 and air conditioning of their ID.4 with their smartphone or to check the charge level of the battery and the range of the car.
New electronics platform. The ID.4’s electronic intelligence is based on a network architecture that Volkswagen designed from scratch for the MEB. Two central high-performance computers are responsible for a number of tasks that are usually performed by separate control units in conventional models. The ID.4 software architecture follows the principle of stationary servers and greatly simplifies the exchange of data and functions between the systems involved. This means that new data packages can be easily integrated, while basic driving functions such as drive and brake control remain assigned to their separate control units. Software updates and many functions can also be updated with the new networking architecture via the mobile network.
IQ. Drive assist systems. Volkswagen has consolidated its assist systems under the name IQ. Drive. These make driving more relaxed and can help to avoid accidents or at least mitigate their consequences. With its full equipment package, the ID.4 uses a front radar, front camera, four area view cameras, two rear radars and eight ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area.
Standard systems. The ID.4 is equipped with the lane keeping system Lane Assist as standard. Its steering intervention helps to stop the vehicle leaving its lane unintentionally. Front Assist monitors the area in front of the vehicle and responds with warnings and braking interventions to warn the driver of impending collisions with other road users. With the function for oncoming vehicle braking when turning, the vehicle supports the driver when turning across the oncoming lane, while swerve support provides counter steering assistance to help the driver avoid obstacles. The acoustic Park Distance Control function is able to avoid parking collisions or reduce the level of damage using the automatic manoeuvre braking function. The speed limiter is also included in the ID.4’s standard equipment.
Another standard technology is V2X. This allows the vehicle to communicate directly with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure to exchange information about local hazards. The maximum distance here is 800 metres, with warning transmission taking only milliseconds. V2X is currently active from a speed of 80 km/h, but is also intended to improve safety and traffic flow in urban traffic in the future. The more vehicles that have the innovative technology, the greater the benefits – a classic principle of swarm intelligence.
Assist package. The optional Assist package bundles additional functions. These include the anti-theft alarm with interior monitoring, proactive occupant protection system, keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access, Rear View camera system and Park Assist Plus with memory function.
Personalised parking. Parking will be even easier in the future thanks to Park Assist Plus with memory function5. In addition to taking over complete guidance of the vehicle, including steering, accelerating, braking and changing gear when parking and driving out of parallel parking spaces (within the limits of the system), the optional Park Assist Plus with memory function5 is able to automatically reproduce individual, pre-taught manoeuvres, further boosting convenience and ease-of-use for the driver. The memory function remembers parking procedures at speeds below 40 km/h and covering distances of up to 50 metres – for example when parking in a carport or garage. All the driver has to do is park their vehicle manually once and save the parking procedure. The vehicle can then repeat the learned parking manoeuvre on its own. Then all the driver has to do is monitor the manoeuvre.
The also included Travel Assist with swarm data4 can be activated directly via a button on the steering wheel. This actively keeps the ID.4 in the middle of its lane; it adapts to the driving style when doing this and can also guide the vehicle further left or right in the lane. What is more, it is also able to maintain a set distance from the vehicle in front and also keep to the set maximum speed. The system has predictive cruise control and a cornering assist function. This allows it to adapt the speed of the E-SUV to speed limits and the road characteristics – such as bends or roundabouts.
The new assist system can make use of the highly precise swarm data that is generated in anonymised form by hundreds of thousands of Volkswagen Group vehicles. If the ID.4 receives swarm data, the latest-generation Travel Assist4 can also support the driver on roads with only one detected lane marking. Using the vehicle’s rear radar sensors and the ultrasound sensors, Travel Assist4 can keep an eye on the traffic relevant for the system and can actively support lane changes during motorway driving at speeds from 90 km/h. This is initiated by simply operating the convenience turn signal once. A prerequisite for this is that the sensors must not have detected any objects around the vehicle and the capacitive steering wheel must also be able to detect the driver’s hands.