Volkswagen Australia has welcomed the two examples of the ID.4 electric SUV locally, ahead of a register-your-interest customer campaign going live before Christmas.
Both cars are equipped with overseas-market specifications – the 150kW ID.4 Pro Performance with 522km range, and the 125kW ID.4 Pure Performance with 345km range and sharing the Pro’s 310Nm.
A fully loaded ID.4 Pro Performance will most closely reflect Volkswagen Australia’s planned launch specification, while the ID.4 Pure Performance also takes on a key role during discussions with fleet and government agencies.
Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles Michal Szaniecki says the brand wants to have the ID.4, along with the ID.5, in Australian driveways by late 2023.
“Strategically the ID.4 and ID.5 represent the most sizeable opportunity for Volkswagen Australia in many years,” he says.
“The ID.4 will not set out to charge customers a premium for being a style statement or short change practicalities in any way for being electric. We know that Australians most love medium SUVs, and the ID.4 combines this versatile body style with Volkswagen engineering including a long range version.
“The ID.4 will bring electric performance to a broad customer base with target pricing similar to our Tiguan 162TSI R-Line. Arriving at the same time will be the coupe-style ID.5 with pricing similar to a Tiguan R, enabling customers to alternatively pick an even more design-focused BEV,” he says
The Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 are produced on a modular battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture known as MEB.
By producing the ID.4 and ID.5 on a dedicated platform it allows designers and engineers to minimise the front and rear overhangs of the vehicle. This ensures that more of the ID.4’s 4584mm body length goes into maximising cabin and boot space, which closely mirrors or exceeds that of the Tiguan SUV.
Rear seat space more closely resembles that of the larger Touareg SUV, with USB-C ports and three-zone climate control available. The family-friendly 543 litre boot volume can be expanded to 1575L with the rear backrest folded.
The MEB platform also ensures the higher kerb weight inherent to BEVs is placed more beneficially to steering, ride and handling qualities than in an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
The ID.4 Pro Performance and ID.4 Pure Performance utilise an 82kWh and 55kWh battery package respectively. Both are placed ‘flat pack’ under the central part of the chassis for more even weight distribution and to lower the centre of gravity.
Targeted at singles, couples, pet owners, families and empty nesters, the ID.4 Pro Performance’s long range will be complemented by up to 125kW DC fast charging enabling charging from 0% in 33 minutes (to 80%) and 42min (to 100%). The ID.4 Pure Performance’s 110kW DC fast charging is quicker by 7min and 10min respectively.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is rear-wheel drive and uses a multi-link rear suspension setup for the ride comfort and control typified by a Tiguan, or Golf. It also has a rear mounted engine, enabling 0-100km/h performance of between 8.5 seconds (Pro Performance) and 9.0sec (Pure Performance).
With specification still to be locked in for Australia, highlights of the Pro Performance above the Pure Performance in overseas specification include 19-inch alloy wheels (vs 18s), progressive steering, area view camera, augmented reality head up display, 12 inch infotainment (vs 10 inch) and 450W 7-speaker audio.
