Volkswagen Reveals ID.4 Electric SUV, And It’s Coming To South Africa.
WOLFSBURG - Volkswagen has revealed the second member of its new ‘ID’ family of electric vehicles, and unlike the ID.3 hatchback that was revealed last year, the ID.4 is coming to South Africa in 2022.
Designed to be a world car, the ID.4 takes the shape of a compact SUV and is powered by a 150kW motor , which is fed by a 77 kWh battery that’ said to offer a range of up to 520km on the WLTP cycle.VW says the new SUV will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, while the top speed is listed at 160km/h. Initial versions are going to be rear-wheel drive only, but Volkswagen says its 210mm ground clearance will allow it to perform well on gentle off-road terrain.
However, a dual-motor 4WD version that accelerates to 100km/h in under six seconds is claimed to get on the cards for further down the road .
We’ll need to wait until 2022 to seek out out what proportion the ID.4 costs in South Africa , but US pricing will initially start at $39 995 (R670 000), but the company is promising a cheaper (and lower range) version for $35 000 further down the line.
Volkswagen sees most of its customers migrating from conventional compact SUVs such as the Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V.
The company's goal is to broaden electric cars' appeal beyond “first adopters” to buyers simply trying to find affordable transportation.
Volkswagen hopes car buyers are going to be attracted by the benefits that come from designing a car as an electrical vehicle from the bottom up. Putting the battery flat below the passenger space gives the ID.4 about an equivalent interior space as that of the longer Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, while the lower center of gravity makes for better handling.
Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at research firm IHS Markit, said the vehicle is “very significant for Volkswagen because it tries to maneuver forward and transition from traditional engines to a more electric vehicle lineup."
She cautioned that the transition to significant electric sales will take decades. "This is that the beginning of a really long journey for them."
Consumers are becoming more choice, with 18 electric models available in 2018 growing to 120 by 2025. And that will help push electrics to a 9% market share by 2025.
“For the electrical vehicle market to actually find the success that we expect it'll , it must make that trip over to people that are less aggressive about change and are willing to try it anyway.”
SA's most popular car has not been forgotten. In the third quarter of the year, a special “Proudly South African” edition of the VW Polo Vivo will be launched, with more details to be announced at that time.
Martina Biene, Volkswagen Brand Director at SA, also announced that the We Connect Go app will soon bring modern connectivity to VW vehicles. Available for iOS and Android, it allows smartphones to connect to VW via Bluetooth using the DataPlug. It will allow customers to locate their cars using their smartphones, a benefit in busy parking lots.
With the app, owners will also be able to view the most important information related to their vehicle, such as mileage, fuel level, service intervals, and warning lights. In the event of a breakdown or accident, the app's call for assistance feature can be used to request help.
The app can also be used to reserve the vehicle for a service and as a digital log book that records personal and work-related trips.
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