EV Brief 4/29/21 EV Brief 4/29/21

Volkswagen reveals dual motor all wheel drive ID.4 GTX; more performance EV models to come [Updated]

Volkswagen debuts the ID.4 GTX, with the new naming structure to follow the nomenclature GTI, GTD and GTE. The ID.4 GTX offers sportier styling with revised front and rear bumpers, new LED headlights and tail lights, and a sportier interior.

Volkswagen has debuted the new GTX sub-brand, and headline vehicle the ID.4 GTX. Currently livestreaming, we will update this page with more information.

[Updated] GTX will be a sub brand to follow the nomenclature GTI, GTD and GTE. The ID.4 GTX offers sportier styling with revised front and rear bumpers, and new LED headlights and tail lights. 21 inch wheels give the car character, but likely reduce available range.

The ID.4 GTX offers a 77 kWh battery (same as ID.4) and sports two electric motors with up to 220 kW. Volkswagen claims a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.2 seconds, and a WLTP range of 480 km (290 miles).

There’s a 125 kW DC charging speed, and Volkswagen claims 300km (186 mile) range can be charged in 30 minutes. It’s worth noting that Hyundai’s new Ioniq 5 with 400 and 800 volt architecture offers 10-80 percent charge in 18 minutes, with 100km range restored in 5 minutes.

Volkswagen also previewed a camouflaged ID.5 coupe-SUV and announced that it too would receive the GTX treatment:

EV Brief 4/21/21 EV Brief 4/21/21

Volkswagen's ID.4 electric crossover named 2021 World Car of the Year

Volkswagen has taken home the largest prize from the annual World Car Awards overnight, with the ID.4 crossover named 2021 World Car of the Year. 93 international journalists from 28 countries make up the World Car Awards jury panel, and the votes were tabulated by KPMG.

Volkswagen has taken home the largest prize from the annual World Car Awards overnight, with the Volkswagen ID.4 crossover named 2021 World Car of the Year. 93 international journalists from 28 countries make up the World Car Awards jury panel, and the votes were tabulated by KPMG.

Ralf Brandstätter, CEO Volkswagen Cars stated “We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named “World Car of the Year”. Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world - but because the jury also honored a great idea and a great team. The first ID. Model for the key markets of Europe, China and the U.S. carries our electric offensive around the world. A convincing car, a great idea - and the “World Car of the Year” award? That goes well together for us!”

This year’s winner was chosen from an initial entry list of 24 vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of three finalists as announced on March 30, 2021. The Top Three in the World finalists for 2021 also included another EV, the Honda e, and the Toyota Yaris.

To be eligible for the World Car of the Year award, vehicles must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units/year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets, on at least two separate continents, between May 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021.

This win should help Volkswagen justify the billions spent on its shift to electro-mobility and assist the company in forgetting the ‘Dieselgate’ era. We’re certainly excited to see more competition in the marketplace, especially in the form of EVs from one of the world’s largest automakers, but Volkswagen still has some issues to iron out if it is to truly achieve mass-market adoption of its zero emissions vehicles.

EV teardown expert Sandy Munro stated that Tesla need not worry about competition from the ID.4 after comprehensively examining VW’s newest EV, and Engineering Explained showed that there are issues with charging the ID.4, even on the DC fast charging network established by Volkswagen, Electrify America.

EV Brief 3/14/21 EV Brief 3/14/21

2022 Audi Q4 e-tron previewed with 450km range, augmented reality tech

With aspirations to dominate every market segment, the Volkswagen Group is looking to utilise its electric vehicle architecture across multiple brands and vehicle classes. Enter the Q4 e-tron: the first Audi model based on the Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukastenmodular, or modular electric drive toolkit as a literal translation.

Audi reveals pre-production MEB-based 2022 Q4 e-tron

Based on Audi’s Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukastenmodular (MEB) architecture
The smallest e-tron SUV in Audi’s line up at 4,590mm (15.1 ft) long, 1,865 millimeters (6.1 ft) wide, and 1,613 millimeters (5.3 ft) high
Two electric motors with 224 kW (304 PS), 82kWh battery with claimed 450 km (280 mile) range
Fully digital operating concept with augmented reality head-up display
Upholstery materials with recycled polyester
Worldwide reveal set for April 2021

Q4 e-tron spearheads Audi’s compact electric crossover rollout

The MEB is designed exclusively for EVs, and already underpins the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, as well as the Škoda Enyaq. It’s flexibility will see use across future Volkswagen family models, including from the Cupra brand.

Q4 e-tron battery and drivetrain

Packing an 82kWh battery likely to be manufactured by LG Chem, the Q4 e-tron should have a WLTP range of 450 km (280 miles) and can be charged up to 125 kW. With two electric motors outputting a combined 224 kW (304 PS), Audi claims a 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.4 seconds.

Of course, quattro -all-wheel-drive will be standard, and it’s expected that adaptive air suspension will also be a feature on the Q4 e-tron.

Exterior Styling

My, didn’t Audi’s wrappers have a field day? Graphics aside, the Q4 e-tron has many familiar Audi design cues. Those slim LED headlights with segmented daytime running lights, that single-frame grille (though perhaps it’s time for Audi to ditch this when it serves no function) the pronounced rear wheel arches and angular taillights.

At 4,590mm (15.1 ft) long, it’s around 10cm longer than a Q3, though that may be hard to discern in the metal. Audi will likely be producing a Q4 e-tron Sportback, complete with cut-off plunging roofline.

Technology and Interior

Audi is promoting the technical innovations and interior features of the Q4 e-tron in the lead up to the vehicle’s global reveal. With the latest version of the Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI), drivers will have a head-up display with augmented reality features that can project important information over objects in the driver’s line of site, similar to technology already deployed by Mercedes-Benz.

The usual passive and active safety features are expected, such as blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistant, front collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous capabilities.

Audi also claims the Q4 e-tron offers similar exterior dimensions to a Q3 SUV, but with Q5 levels of space on the inside. The luggage compartment provides 520 litres (18.4 cu ft) of space for luggage, and the 2.76 metre (9.1 ft) long wheelbase should provide comfortable foot, knee and legroom for front and rear seat passengers.

It’s nice to see the shift away from leather interiors; to each their own, but leather has a huge environmental footprint, not to mention the ethical issues around animal skin. The Q4 e-tron offers a combination of artificial leather microfiber Dinamica, which looks and feels like suede but is made of 45 percent recycled polyester, sourced from textiles and PET bottles.

We’re expecting the Q4 e-tron to go on sale (in base trim) from $45,000 USD / £50,000 when it is revealed to the public next month. While there’s nothing about this upcoming crossover that appears revolutionary, the combination of the usual Teutonic interior quality with Audi’s contemporary (if predictable) exterior styling should bode well for the MEB-based electric crossover’s sales.

EV Brief 1/31/21 EV Brief 1/31/21

Volkswagen's ID.4 launches in the UK, 1st Edition specification priced from £40,800

VW has launched the ID.4 electric SUV in the UK market, priced from £37,800 after the government Plug-in Car Grant. Initially only available in the 1st Edition trim, the ID.4 features a single rear motor producing 150 kW, with a maximum torque output of 310 Nm.

VW’s ID.4 LANDS IN THE UK, WITH DELIVERIES COMMENCING IN MARCH 2021

Featuring a 77kWh battery with 498 kilometres (310 miles) range (WLTP)
Rear-motor, 150kW/310Nm
Available initially as 1st Edition trim level only
Priced from £40,800 RRP OTR, or approximately £37,800 after Plug-in Car Grant
Available in dealerships from March 2021

VW has launched the ID.4 electric SUV in the UK market, priced from £37,800 after the government Plug-in Car Grant. Initially only available in the 1st Edition trim, the ID.4 features a single rear motor producing 150 kW, with a maximum torque output of 310 Nm.

The ID.4 will be able to rapidly charge up to 125kW. Images: Volkswagen UK

WIth a 77 kWh net capacity, the ID.4 offers an official WLTP range of 498 kilometres (310 miles), however take that with a grain of salt, as real-world driving has shown a 10-15 per cent reduction on this figure. Luckily the ID.4 offers fast charging capacity up to 125kW, allowing ID.4 owners to add around 320km (199 miles) in 30 minutes. The battery pouch cells and pack are manufactured by LG Chem in Poland, featuring the company’s NCM 712 battery cells. These batteries have been in production since 2020, and feature the company’s new chemistry of 7 parts nickel to 1 part cobalt to 2 parts manganese, providing greater energy density, reduced manufacturing costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

The ID.4 is pictured in striking Honey Yellow with contrasting silver-painted roof arch.

Similar to the launch variant of the ID.3 1ST Edition, the ID.4 first edition features special badging, an interior with Artvelours micro-fleece seats with Florence Brown highlights, and a selection of colours including Glacier White, Blue Dusk, Honey Yellow (pictured) and Manganese Grey.

The VW ID.4 features Artvelours micro-fibre seats, and a driver zone and infotainment system from the ID.3 hatchback.

A full suite of safety features are included, with adaptive cruise control, lane assist with blind spot warning, autonomous emergency breaking and front and rear parking sensors. the 10-inch Discover Pro navigation system is included, and is controlled via a rather prominent screen perched on the dash like the ID.3. The nifty ID. Light is also included, which flashes, pulses and changes colour to communicate various information to drivers such as navigation instructions, charging status or responses to voice input.

The ID.4 is based on Volkswagens Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform.

Sadly, There are no plans to bring any electrified Volkswagen model to Australia any time before 2023 according to Car Expert. With little in the way of emissions standards, fuel quality standards or EV incentives, Australia is not seen as a priority for companies like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz or Kia. While China, the United States and the United Kingdom have strict CO2 emissions requirements for new vehicles, they also offer incentives for the purchase of zero emissions vehicles, providing an ultimatum for automakers to cease retailing internal-combustion engined cars.