Volkswagen plugs more power and tech into updated ID.4

Billed as the electric equivalent of the Tiguan at its global unveiling three years ago, Volkswagen has taken the covers off of the facelift ID.4 widely known to be under investigation for eventual market release in South Africa.

New battery means better range

The second-tier all-electric ID model revised this year following the reveal of the facelift ID.3 in March, the ID.4, and its performance offshoot, the GTX, remain aesthetically unaltered as Wolfsburg has opted to make the majority of the changes to the interior and electric hardware.

In the case of the latter, the entry-level Pure, powered by the 52-kWh battery, receives a power shot from 110 kW to 115 kW, with both the claimed range and performance figures not being disclosed.

While the step-up Pure Performance also retains the mentioned battery, its outputs of 125kW/310Nm are unchanged, with the same applying to its 361 km range, limited top speed of 160 km/h and 0-100 km/h in nine seconds.

This, however, does not apply to the single-motor or dual-motor Pro and Pro Performance variants that derive motivation from the bigger 77-kWh battery pack.

Resplendent with what Volkswagen call its new electric drive motor and battery mounted on the rear axle, outputs increase from 150kW/310Nm to 210kW/545Nm regardless of whether drive is directed to the rear or all four wheels.

ALSO READ: Volkswagen’s ‘electric Tiguan’ alternative revealed as second ID model

In terms of range, the entry-level Pro now travels 17 km further for a total of 550 km, while the figures for the ID.4 Pro Performance wasn’t revealed.

Volkswagen did, however, confirm two-wheel-drive models as supporting DC charging up to 135 kW and 175 kW in the case of the 4Motion dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions.

At the range’s summit, the GTX’s dual-motor setup sees it now produce 250 kW instead of 220 kW.

Able to reach 100 km/h from standstill in 5.4 seconds, Volkswagen has also raised the GTX’s top speed by 20 km/h to 180 km/h, but declined to provide details as to whether the range of 480 km has been approved upon or not.

A revised MEB platform in order to accommodate the additional punch and improved charging rounds the underneath-the-skin changes off, along with an EV optimised version of the Dynamic Chassis Control system available as an option.

Changes inside

Inside, the same tweaks applied to the ID.3 have been incorporated into the ID.4, namely upgraded materials, an improved voice recognition system, illuminated touch-sliders for the climate control and Volkswagen’s faster software integrated into the new driver-angled 12.9-inch infotainment system.

Despite retaining the much criticised touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, Volkswagen has upped the ID.4 specification level by making an augmented reality Head-Up Display available as an option, together with a model specific 10-speaker, 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system.

South Africa waits

Set to go on-sale in Europe before year-end, the ID.4, as mentioned, is known to be favoured for South Africa above the ID.3 Volkswagen had expected to roll-out as part of a trial phase by end of this year.

As it stands though, nothing is else known, though chances are more could be announced with the onset of 2024.

NOW READ: Volkswagen electric cars meant for ‘millions, not millionaires’