The battery with 52 kWh. Every version of the ID.4 offers powerful propulsion and a high level of everyday usability. The compact 52 kWh battery provides up to 346 kilometres of range (WLTP). It is available with two motor power output levels – one with 109 kW (148 PS) and 220 Nm torque, the other with 125 kW (170 PS) and 310 Nm torque. In both power output levels, the average consumption of the ID.4 in the NEDC is 16.3 to 15.5 kWh per 100 km.
The battery with 77 kWh. From the ID.4 Pro upwards, the battery has a net energy content of 77 kWh as standard and permits a range of up to 522 kilometres (WLTP). With the powerful electric drive motor, which delivers 150 kW (204 PS) and 310 Nm torque from a standing start, it takes just 8.5 seconds to accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h. All ID.4 models are electronically limited to a top speed of 160 km/h. For models with the large battery, the consumption values in the NEDC are 16.9 to 16.2 kWh per 100 km. A sporty flagship model with an all-wheel drive system and even more power will follow later in 2021.
Rear motor and rear-wheel drive. With the modular electric drive matrix, Volkswagen is breathing new life into a great tradition: like in the original Beetle, the drive system is located at the rear. The electric drive motor is located above the rear axle just in front of the centre of the wheels and transfers its torque to a two-stage 1-speed gearbox with differential. The rear-wheel drive creates the ideal conditions for agile handling and powerful traction, while also permitting a small turning circle of just 10.2 metres. Because the quiet drive is almost silent to anyone outside the vehicle, a synthetic electronic sound is generated from speeds of around 30 km/h.
Efficiency of more than 90 percent. One of the main strengths of the PSM motor (permanent magnet synchronous motor) is its efficiency: this is well above 90 percent in almost all driving situations. During the manufacturing process, Volkswagen uses a complex piece of technology known as a hairpin winding: the stator’s coils are made from square copper wires, which after bending are visually similar to hairpins. This hairpin winding technique enables the wires to be packed more tightly. As result, there is more copper in the stator – power and torque are increased, while cooling is more efficient. 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. The electric drive, the battery system and other essential components of ID.4 are produced by the Volkswagen Group Components sites in Kassel, Braunschweig and Salzgitter.
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 carries out the deceleration alone, covering most everyday situations. If the deceleration rate rises above this, the electric brake servo activates the hydraulic wheel brakes almost completely imperceptibly.
The Eco Assistance system (standard), which evaluates navigation data and detected road signs, provides the driver with support: ahead of speed limits, town boundary signs or junctions, it indicates that the driver should take their foot off the brake. If the driver does so, it automatically adjusts the appropriate speed and the optimum energy recovery torque. Position B enables the driver to select general overrun recuperation. When the driver brakes in this mode, the vehicle uses the full 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, helping to lower the centre of gravity. The weight distribution is therefore very 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. Thanks to 16 centimetres of ground clearance, the electric SUV copes well with light off-road terrain.
Sport and Sport Plus packages. The Sport package is made up of two modules: the progressive steering, which becomes more direct with increasing steering wheel angle, and firmer shock absorbers. In the Sport Plus package, these are managed at five-millisecond intervals by the adaptive chassis control DCC. This is coupled to the driving profile selection, which offers Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual modes. Each mode can then be precisely adjusted in five levels. The system influences the characteristics of the electric drive motor, shock absorbers and steering, thus further increasing the range between high ride comfort and firmer handling.
3 km/h faster in a slalom. If the driver wants, the ID.4 can take corners at high speed and with outstanding stability – also thanks to the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which works closely with the ESC stability control system. It controls operation of the electronic differential lock XDS and adaptive shock absorbers to ensure the best possible lateral dynamics and driving safety in every situation. Even as it steers quickly into a corner, the ID.4 is thus able to respond more spontaneously and can complete the classic 18-metre slalom 3 km/h faster. The ESC works closely with the control units for the power and control electronics and the electric drive motor. This close integration makes sure that the powered rear wheels always find reliable grip – be it when cornering at speed, accelerating or recovering brake energy.
Large wheels, wide tyres. Steel or aluminium, 18 to 21 inches in diameter, uniform and mixed tyres – a wide range of wheels is available for the ID.4. It starts with the 18-inch format for the ID.4 City, available either in steel or with the Falun aluminium wheel. From the ID.4 Life and above, 19-inch wheels are standard and are also available in both materials; the cast aluminium wheels are called Hamar in this case. Above this, there are 20-inch Drammen alloy wheels and the premium version, the 21-inch Narvik wheels.
All wheels have been aerodynamically optimised with their flat design and the tyres have low rolling resistance. In the ID.4 Pure, ID.4 City and ID.4 Style, they are 235 millimetres wide at the front and rear; the cross-sections vary depending on the wheel size. The ID.4 models with the 77 kWh battery leave the production line with mixed tyres – 235 millimetres wide on the front axle and 255 millimetres wide at the rear.
Powerful brakes. The robust electric SUV has strong and durable brakes. Depending on the motor version and battery, the discs on the front axle measure up to 358 millimetres in diameter, while the rear wheels are fitted with drum brakes. The pads are designed for the service life of the car. Corrosion is not an issue, even though the wheel brakes are used only rarely in everyday driving.