Recently, Volkswagen’s first electric SUV, the new ID.4, was officially launched. This is also the first long-range pure electric vehicle launched by Volkswagen in the US market.
For the Volkswagen ID series, the fate is really ups and downs. The software problems that broke out in the ID.3 at the beginning of the year were not completely improved until after the car was delivered. And the ID.4 will become the pure electric camp of Volkswagen. What role does it play?
Without further ado, let’s first take a look at its highlights.
Speaking of Volkswagen’s pure electric models, how can we not talk about this MEB platform?
As a highly flexible overall architecture, the MEB platform can build vehicle models ranging from A-class to D-class, including cars, SUVs, and MPVs. In general, all future pure electric models of Volkswagen are very likely to come from this platform.
The biggest highlight of this platform is that it can enhance vehicles in terms of cruising range, sense of space, diversity, comfort, dynamic performance, etc., such as longer wheelbase, shorter front and rear overhangs, and more ideal Weight distribution.
Secondly, the new platform is also compatible with new in-vehicle assistance systems, comfort systems, infotainment systems, control and display systems.
The ID.4 is the first SUV model of this platform. In terms of size, the length, width and height of the new car are 4585×1852×1636mm, and the wheelbase is 2766mm. The overall size is currently the largest in China. The Tanyue on sale is similar, but the ID.4 has an advantage in terms of wheelbase.
I believe everyone is sick of seeing Volkswagen’s matryoshka dolls now, but the ID series adopts a brand new family-style design.
First look at its front face. Although it is a brand-new design, the new car still retains many elements of the new generation golf. For example, this slender grille part, we can also see that the designer also retains many elements of the new generation golf. An LED light strip is added to connect the headlights on both sides.
Well, the smell of new forces has emerged.
Secondly, the shape of the headlights on both sides is also entangled with that of the new generation golf, but this circle of LED edging looks more advanced. Not only that, when we look closely at the headlights, we also find a textured pattern on the side of the lampshade, which can be said to be a little surprise.
Coming to the side, you can see that the shape of the new car is relatively rounded, and the essential features of a pure electric car such as hidden door handles have not been left behind. The only thing that is a bit inconsistent is the circle below. Black plastic edging is also a must-have symbolic design for an SUV.
At the same time, Volkswagen ID.4 will also provide 6 body colors to choose from, including: Glacier White, Mythical Black, Moon Gray, Dragon Scale Gold, Sunset Blue, and Imperial Red.
Looking at the rear, the new car’s taillights adopt a through-type design, which somewhat echoes the front and rear headlights. In addition, ID.4 is the first time that a Volkswagen brand uses 3D LED taillights, which can create a three-dimensional dynamic effect through matrix LED light-emitting components.
Enter the interior, hello! No, sir! Isn't this Corolla's center console?
Although the interior of the new car uses a variety of materials and colors, the sense of luxury is definitely not on the same level as that of the Corolla, but you can see the central control here.
Isn’t the large rear-projection TV with the row of physical buttons exactly the same as the Corolla? There is also a cup holder under the center console. Isn’t this also a Corolla-style cup holder?
Except for the similarities, the new car still has a strong sense of technology, such as the trapezoidal LCD instrument panel behind the steering wheel and the pocket-style gear handle. The most high-quality thing is definitely the white steering wheel color, which looks very technological at first glance.
To put it bluntly, new forces have many advantages, but they have never been very good at planning and designing interior space. In contrast, traditional brand car companies are much better at stealing space.
Even for a pure electric model, the trunk volume of the new car reaches 858?L, and the rear seats can be expanded to 1818?L after folding. This data is basically comparable to that of the currently sold Tiguan L. In terms of space performance, don’t forget that the ID.4 is much smaller than the Tiguan L.
In terms of power, the early version of the new car is a single-motor rear-drive version. The US and European versions of the ID.4 will provide 4 power specifications, namely:
ID. 4?Pro?Performance: maximum power 150kW, peak torque 310N·m;
ID.4?Pro: maximum power 129kW, peak torque 235N·m);
ID.4 ?Pure?Performance: maximum power 125kW, peak torque 310N·m;
ID.4?Pure: maximum power 109kW, peak torque 220N·m;
In terms of battery life, ID. The 4?Pure is equipped with a battery pack with a battery capacity of 52kWh and a WLTP cycle cruising range of 360km, while the ID.4?Pro version has a battery capacity of 77kWh and an LTP cycle cruising range of 520km.
In terms of charging, ID.4 provides both AC and DC fast charging functions. The 11kW car charger can provide 33 miles (53 kilometers) of power in about 1 hour, at home or in public** *Level 2 charger can be fully charged in about 7.5 hours, and a 125kW DC fast charging station can charge from 5 to 80 in about 38 minutes.
Back at home, the ID.4 will also enter the Chinese market at the end of this year. It is worth mentioning that the new car will be produced in China by FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC-Volkswagen at the same time. Things are getting interesting.
According to the information currently available, the domestic version of ID.4 will use the power system of the overseas version of ID.4 Pro Performance, with a maximum power of 150kW and a peak torque of 310N·m. In terms of NEDC endurance, Up to 550km.
In terms of price, the ID.4 Pro model starts at US$39,995 (approximately RMB 272,000) in the United States, and there are also Statement and Gradient package options.
Back in China, regarding the price of the domestic version of the ID.4, Xiaobai guessed that the starting price would be around 280,000 due to the use of a high-dynamic power system.
Obviously, the biggest target of Volkswagen ID.4 is Tesla Model Y.
In comparison, the Volkswagen ID.4 has more mature space performance and product quality. The most important thing is that under Volkswagen’s platform, the ID.4’s bicycle profit is definitely at present. Higher than Model?Y.
For the U.S. market, the Volkswagen brand has always been inferior, and the purpose of launching ID.4 is also very obvious - to gain a place in the people-friendly electric vehicle market, but there is the tiger Tesla in front of it. With local rival General Motors Chevrolet behind, it will be difficult for Volkswagen to make a comeback in the U.S. new energy market.
Back in the domestic market, for a price of around 300,000, ID.4’s opponents are mainly focused on Ideal ONE, Weilai ES6, Tang EV and the upcoming Tesla Model Y, etc. car model.
To be honest, at this price level, the foundation of new domestic brands is not yet stable. Model? It just happens to be a gap in the market.
And for the compact new energy SUV market, the development potential is huge. Judging from the new energy market analysis recently announced by the Passenger Car Association, the market share of compact pure electric SUVs has grown at a rate of 108%. Therefore, Xiaobai is very optimistic about the development of ID.4 in China.
However, no matter how big the market gap is, it can’t beat the cost-effectiveness. The only thing we have to look at now is the price of the domestically produced ID.4. If the price range can reach the 250,000-300,000 yuan range, don’t talk about it. , Xiaobai will tell everyone that it smells really good.
Can it land in Normandy in the Chinese market? Come and chat with Xiaobai in the comment area!
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.