Volkswagen Confirm Electric ID 4 Production
Volkswagen recently teased their latest fully-electric vehicle in Frankfurt, Germany. The brightly-wrapped VW ID 4 was parked inside a glass box for people to browse as they walked past. VW didn’t do a full reveal in an effort to keep the buzz surrounding their new rebranding. The crossover-SUV EV will join its smaller, hatchback ID 3 sibling in the German manufacturers electric offensive.
The design of the ID 4 draws a lot of inspiration from the all-electric ID 3 and infuses it well with its larger SUV stature. In fact, the ID 4 borrows a lot of its design elements from the ID Crozz concept car that was revealed two-years ago at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. The ID 4 will be offered in two body shapes – a coupe-SUV with a sloping roofline into the rear and a traditional SUV body shape with a more conventional roof line. The ID 4 also ditches the sliding doors of the ID Crozz concept for normal doors.
Production of the Volkswagen ID 4 will take place in China, the USA and Europe in order to maximise the global footprint of the electric vehicle. "As early as 2020, we aim to sell 100,000 all-electric Volkswagens (per year)," said VW Group chairman Herbert Diess at the Crozz concept's 2017 unveiling. "But this is just the beginning. By 2025, annual sales could increase tenfold to one million vehicles." Diess also mentioned that the ID range of electric vehicles will be offered along with internal combustion and hybrid powered models.
In terms of size, the ID 4 sits somewhere between the Volkswagen Tiguan and the longer Tiguan Allspace. The ID 4 aims to be a much more spirited drive than the Tigaun, though, and might actually achieve that thanks to some impressive engineering. There are two electric motors that power the SUV - one at the front and one at the rear. This creates an impressive 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution. Pair this with a total output of 225kW of power and 450Nm of torque and you’ve got what looks like an impressive vehicle in terms of comfort and dynamics. However, we will have to wait until we drive it before we make such claims.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen ID 4 cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen ID 4 is expected to start around R750,000 to R850,000 when it arrives in South Africa, though official local pricing hasn't been confirmed yet since production only began in 2020.
Q: Is the Volkswagen ID 4 worth buying over other electric SUVs?
The ID 4 offers solid value with dual motors, all-wheel drive, and impressive 48:52 weight distribution, making it a proper contender against the BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQC in the premium electric SUV space.
Q: What is the range and charging time of the VW ID 4?
The ID 4 delivers approximately 400-500km of real-world range depending on the battery configuration, with DC fast charging capable of adding 300km of range in about 30 minutes.
Q: How does the ID 4 compare to the Tiguan in size?
The ID 4 sits between the standard Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace in terms of overall length, but offers more interior space thanks to the electric platform's flat floor and absence of a transmission tunnel.
Q: When will the Volkswagen ID 4 be available in South Africa?
Volkswagen South Africa hasn't confirmed an official launch date, but the ID 4 is expected to arrive locally sometime in 2024 or 2025, following the European and American market rollouts.
Should You Buy It?
The Volkswagen ID 4 looks like a solid electric SUV option for South Africa, but you'll need to wait a bit longer and have deep pockets. With an expected starting price around R750,000 to R850,000, it's not exactly budget-friendly, but it does offer proper dual-motor all-wheel drive and decent range. If you're shopping for an electric SUV right now, the BMW iX3 at around R1.2 million or the Mercedes EQC at R1.4 million are your current options, making the ID 4 potentially the best value electric SUV under R900,000 in SA once it arrives. Wait for it if you can, but don't hold your breath for a 2023 launch.
