Volkswagen ID.4 available in South Africa as a test fleet
July 2024
- ID.4 Test fleet has arrived in South Africa, representing the brand's commitment to sustainable driving
- The battery stores up to 77 kWh of energy (net) and enables ranges of up to 531 km
- The electric drive motor, positioned at the rear axle, generates 150 kW – enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and delivers a top speed of 160 km/h
- Depending on the rear seat backrest’s position, the luggage compartment boasts a capacity from 543 to 1,575 litres
Johannesburg, 19 July 2024 - Volkswagen‘s fully electric SUV, ID.4 Pro Performance is available in South Africa as a test fleet. Volkswagen is set to make a significant impact on the South African passenger car market with the introduction of the ID.4.
The Volkswagen ID.4 embodies the brand's commitment to sustainable mobility. Its body, with its athletic contours, has a drag coefficient of just 0.28 and is particularly aerodynamic.
The modular electric drive (MEB) platform forms the technical backbone of Volkswagen’s electric offensive, with the ID.4, the design of the MEB allows for a very large interior. At the same time, it impresses with its strong driving performance and maximum range of up to 531 kilometres (WLTP3).
Design, vehicle interior and controls
Electrifying style. The exterior of the electric SUV exudes strength and confidence in a way that has never been seen before. It transfers the clean, flowing and powerful style of the ID. family into the SUV segment. Gentle, soft transitions alternate with sharp, clean edges – creating a design that appears to have been shaped by the wind. The ID.4 is an SUV in a completely new form.
Powerful front end. The flat front end symbolises the vehicle’s robustness and strength. The air enters through a wide inlet in its lower zone, eliminating the need for the radiator grille. Large headlights give the electric SUV a friendly but focused expression. These consist almost completely of LEDs, even as standard. Each exterior mirror integrates a small projection light, which directs the typical ID light honeycomb onto the ground when the door is open, thereby conveniently lighting the surroundings for entry and exit.
Modern lighting technology. The ID.4 is equipped with standard LED headlights that include an automatic headlight function a feature designed to enhance both convenience and safety for the driver. As a standard feature, the rear lights are completely equipped with light-emitting diodes and are connected by a red light strip. The brake lights light up in the shape of an "X".
A seamless look. The vehicle body of the ID.4 is that of an athlete, with wheels that draw attention to its sportiness and off-road suitability. The A-pillar starts a long way forward, while a strong, wave-like shoulder line brings momentum into the vehicle body. The low, dynamic roof arch makes the vehicle appear long and stretched, running into the flat pillars. Sophisticated aeroacoustics with specially shaped details, as well as the elaborate insulation measures in the body, reduce the airborne and structure borne noise of the drive, chassis and tyres. As a result, the E-SUV achieves an almost silent unleashing of its power in the interior.
Low drag coefficient of 0.28. Decisive for the low drag coefficient is the flowing basic shape of the body with its greenhouse, which is strongly drawn in towards the rear. Multiple elements come into play to separate the flow at the rear: the large roof spoiler, the three-dimensional shape of the tail light clusters, and the diffuser that finishes the almost flat underbody at the rear. The flush, electrically unlocked door handles are also designed to optimise air flow for minimum drag losses; the same goes for the wheel rims with their flat design.
Tailored to its passengers. The architecture of Volkswagen’s modular electric drive (MEB) platform arranges the spatial relationships for people and technology in a way that has never been seen before. The overhangs of the ID.4 are short, and at 4,584 millimetres long, the compact E-SUV has a wheelbase of 2,771 millimetres. This benefits the spacious interior, which has as much available space as a conventional SUV of the next-larger class. The high-voltage battery lies as a flat block underneath the passenger compartment, while the electric drive motor, power and control electronics for the electric drive and gearbox are located on the rear axle to save space. The short vehicle front end accommodates the radiator and large components of the air conditioning system. The luggage compartment volume is 543 litres, a figure that increases to 1,575 litres after folding down the backrests (loaded to roof height). The roof railings are fitted as standard, and the permitted roof load is 75 kilograms.
Air and light. The calm interior design emphasises the light and airy feeling of space. The dash panel appears to float as it is not connected to the centre console. Its front section drops down towards the interior in steps, while painted decorative trim separates the top and bottom halves.
Seats with a high standard of safety. The head restraints of the front seats in the ID.4 reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of a rear impact. In the event of a side collision, in addition to the side airbags, the central airbag deploys from the left-hand bolster of the driver’s seat, preventing the driver and front passenger from colliding with one another. The front passenger seat and outer rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX anchorages for child seats as standard.
Intelligent centre console. There are spacious stowage areas in the doors and long centre console for everyday items. The centre console incorporates a double drink holder for the front compartment and a roller shutter for the rear compartment, which also contains a mobile telephone stowage area. In conjunction with the Comfort package, the centre console can be freely divided by partition elements, the mobile phone tray is illuminated, and the rear passengers have access to two USB-C charging sockets in addition to the two front sockets.
Interior features. The Interior equipment includes, a heated steering wheel and split folding rear backrests with load-through hatch and centre armrest.
High-quality materials. The interior includes leatherette for the seat bolsters and ArtVelours microfleece for the centre sections. All seat covers are made of animal-free materials. A soft foam skin with a thickness of seven to eight millimetres covers the top section of the dash panel.
The convenience functions. The Comfort package includes a host of features that make a trip on board the ID.4 even more pleasant. The windscreen equipped with a rain sensor and the leather steering wheel can be heated, as can the jets of the windscreen washer system. The Climatronic system also comes with two-zone control. As standard, the ID.4 is equipped with armrests on the inner sides of the seats, 30 colour background lighting, a speed limiter and Air Care Climatronic.
Clearly readable displays. The dash panel in the ID.4 does without physical buttons and switches. The most important information is shown on a compact 5.3-inch display in front of the driver. It is operated via the standard multifunction steering wheel, whose buttons provide sensory feedback. The rocker switch to the right of the display activates the drive modes and the parking lock.
The central touch display in the middle of the dash panel is tilted slightly towards the driver and thus allows fast and optimum operation. It has a 10-inch screen diagonal as standard. The touch display is used to operate telephony, navigation, entertainment, assistance systems and vehicle setup. Sliders for volume and temperature adjustment are located below the display.
ID. Light. The electric SUV comes equipped with the ID. Light system as standard – this is a light strip that runs along the lower edge of the windscreen and provides the driver with intuitive support. It uses various light pulses to signal statuses such as readiness to drive, turn instructions from the navigation system, brake prompts or the charge level of the battery while charging.
Connectivity
Infotainment. The standard App Connect function enables media to be streamed via a smartphone, which can be embedded in its native
environment using Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The infotainment package expands the cockpit with the Discover Pro navigation system with 10-inch display. A smartphone is connected to the on-board electronics via the Comfort mobile phone interface and can be charged inductively in the centre console.
New electronics platform. The ID.4’s electronic intelligence is based on a network architecture that Volkswagen designed from scratch for the MEB. Two central high-performance computers are responsible for a number of tasks that are usually performed by separate control units in conventional models. The ID.4 software architecture follows the principle of stationary servers and greatly simplifies the exchange of data and functions between the systems involved. This means that new data packages can be easily integrated, while basic driving functions such as drive and brake control remain assigned to their separate control units. Software updates and many functions can also be updated with the new networking architecture via the mobile network.
IQ. Drive assist systems. Volkswagen has consolidated its assist systems under the name IQ. Drive. These make driving more relaxed and can help to avoid accidents or at least mitigate their consequences. With its full equipment package, the ID.4 uses a front radar, front camera, four area view cameras, two rear radars and eight ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area.
Standard systems. The ID.4 is equipped with the lane keeping system, Lane Assist as standard. Its steering intervention helps to stop the vehicle leaving its lane unintentionally. Front Assist monitors the area in front of the vehicle and responds with warnings and braking interventions to warn the driver of impending collisions with other road users. With the function for oncoming vehicle braking when turning, the vehicle supports the driver when turning across the oncoming lane, while swerve support provides counter steering assistance to help the driver avoid obstacles. The acoustic Park Distance Control function is able to avoid parking collisions or reduce the level of damage using the automatic manoeuvre braking function. The speed limiter is also included in the ID.4’s standard equipment.
Drive system and running gear
Battery and electric drive. The ID.4 Pro Performance has a net energy content of 77 kWh which permits maximum a range of up to 531 kilometres in accordance with WLTP3. Thanks to the powerful electric drive at the rear with 150 kW and 310 Nm torque, the ID.4 Pro Performance accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds and reaches a top speed limited at 160 km/h. The ID.4 Pro Performance transmit torque to a two stage one-speed gearbox including differential. The ID.4 Pro Performance has a combined consumption of 16.4 kWh (combined) per 100 kilometres.
Efficiency of more than 90 per cent. One of the main strengths of the PSM motor (permanent magnet synchronous motor) is its efficiency: this is well above 90 per cent in almost all driving situations. Including the gearbox and power and control electronics for the electric drive, the electric drive motor weighs only about 90 kilograms and fits into a sports bag.
Intelligent energy recovery concept. The recuperation management system in the ID.4 is designed for maximum efficiency and offers the driver two driving modes. In position D, the car coasts during overrun phases. As soon as the driver applies the foot brake, brake energy recuperation is activated – the electric drive motor feeds power back into the battery. Up to just under 0.25 g, it independently takes over the deceleration and thus covers most everyday situations. If the deceleration rate rises above this, the electric brake servo activates the hydraulic wheel brakes almost completely imperceptibly.
As soon as the foot releases the right pedal, the assistant automatically sets the appropriate speed and the optimum recuperation torque.
Low centre of gravity for sporty handling. The ID.4 is an athletic, powerful all-rounder that is easy to drive. The large high-voltage battery is located between the axles, thereby shifting the centre of gravity downwards. The weight distribution is therefore close to the ideal value of 50:50. A McPherson design is used for the front axle, while the rear is a complex five link suspension, whose subframe also carries the drive components.
Large wheels, wide rims. The vehicle features 19 inch black diamond-turned Hamar alloy wheels with tyres sized 235/55 R19 in the front and 255/50 R19 in the rear.
Battery and charging options
The security of a good framework. The battery is protected by an aluminium structure, the framework inside is made of extruded and die-cast profiles. The housing is bolted to the body of the ID.4 and thus increases the body rigidity. A strong all-round frame made of extruded aluminium sections protects the battery system against damage in the event of an accident, and the battery is also de-energised if the vehicle is involved in a serious crash. A replaceable aluminium underbody protection covers the battery towards the road. Effective cooling. The temperature of the battery modules is controlled using a floor plate with built-in water channels. The thermal management system has the task of keeping the battery in the ideal temperature range of around 25 degrees Celsius in all situations. This results in benefits for power output, fast DC charging and battery service life. Volkswagen guarantees that the battery will still have at least 70 per cent of its original capacity after eight years of operation or a mileage of 160,000 km.
High charging power. At a home wall box, ID.4 models are charged with 11 kW power. A CCS (combined charging system) connection enables quick charging with direct current (DC) at a maximum charging capacity of 150 kW. In 30 minutes, the ID.4 Pro Performance charges energy for the next 397 kilometres.
Technical data of the ID.4
ID.4 Pro Performance
Motor | Permanent excited syncrounous motor on the rear axle |
|---|---|
Maximum power | 150 kW |
Maximum torque | 310 Nm |
Gearbox | One-speed gearbox |
Top speed | 160 km/h |
0-100 km/h | 8.5s |
Battery energy, net | 77 kWh |
Max. range (WLTP3) | Up to 531 km |
Combined consumption (WLTP3) | 16.5 kWh/100 km |
Length | 4,584 mm |
Width | 1,852 mm |
Height | 1,634 mm |
Wheelbase | 2,771 mm |
Drag coefficient | cd 0.28 |
Luggage compartment capacity | 543–1,575 l |
Battery energy content | 77 kWh |
Charging time 5% - 80% SOC with max. 150 kW DC charging approx. | 38 minutes |
Charging time for 100 km WLTP susequent range with 135 kW DC power (starting at 5% SOC) | 6 minutes |
Maximum power
150 kW
Maximum torque
310 Nm
Gearbox
One-speed gearbox
Top speed
160 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.5s
Battery energy, net
77 kWh
Max. range (WLTP3)
Up to 531 km
Combined consumption (WLTP3)
16.5 kWh/100 km
Length
4,584 mm
Width
1,852 mm
Height
1,634 mm
Wheelbase
2,771 mm
Drag coefficient
cd 0.28
Luggage compartment capacity
543–1,575 l
Battery energy content
77 kWh
Charging time 5% - 80% SOC with max. 150 kW DC charging approx.
38 minutes
Charging time for 100 km WLTP susequent range with 135 kW DC power (starting at 5% SOC)
6 minutes
