Photo: Volkswagen AG
The Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 electric models are now on sale in the United Kingdom with the classic 'more of everything' tag – additional range, power, and speed ratings, along with improved comfort and tech features.
The Volkswagen Group MEB platform was conceived as a modular automotive architecture dedicated to electric cars. To shield the costs, VW allows the use of MEB across all of its subsidiaries from Audi, Cupra, Skoda, or Volkswagen – and it's even available to partners like Ford. The production vehicles, so far, include the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, Q5 e-tron, Cupra Tavascan, Ford Explorer EV, Skoda Enyaq iV and Enyaq iV Coupe, plus a whole bunch of VWs.
The latter includes the original ID.3 presented in 2019, as well as its ID.4 and ID.5 siblings that arrived in 2020 and 2021. Last year, Volkswagen introduced the ID.6 and ID. Buzz plus ID. Buzz Cargo, while just recently, the ID.7 became the flagship electric sedan of the German brand. Back to the ID.4 and ID.5, these two are battery-powered compact crossover SUVs produced in Zwickau and Emden (Germany), Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA), as well as Anting plus Foshan (China).
They are both almost the same – the ID.5 features a sloping roofline that gives it a better drag coefficient but also decreases the available trunk space. Anyway, they are mostly seen as two sides of the same coin, which is probably why Volkswagen also updated them together for the UK market. The two electric CUVs have a new infotainment system showcased on a larger 12.9-inch screen, an optional augmented-reality HUD, and the driving mode selector was moved to the steering column. There is also a new IDA voice assistant, while the previous Volkswagen Digital Sound Package with subwoofer was substituted for a 480W premium Harman Kardon sound system with ten speakers – it's optional on the RWD Pro trim and standard on 4Motion GTX versions.
From now on, all ID.4 and ID.5 versions feature the new APP550 drive unit introduced on the ID.7. It offers 286 ps (282 hp) and a colossal torque increase from 310 to 545 Nm (229 to 402 lb-ft), while the AWD ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX gain 41 ps (40 hp) for a total of 340 ps (335 hp), enough to hit 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds. There's also improved efficiency, not just performance gains, so the best ID.4 rating is now 337 miles, while the ID.5 surges to 339 miles on a charge.
Thanks to a new thermal management feature, faster DC charging is also possible at up to 175 kW instead of 135 kW, so now a ten-minute charge is enough for a range of about 110 miles. Last but not least, there's also a new Costa Azul blue metallic paint option and a further refined GTX-exclusive Dynamic Chassis Control system. Prices in the UK start from £46,035 (RRP), which is $57,070 at the current exchange rate, and surge to £56,545 – over $70k.
The latter includes the original ID.3 presented in 2019, as well as its ID.4 and ID.5 siblings that arrived in 2020 and 2021. Last year, Volkswagen introduced the ID.6 and ID. Buzz plus ID. Buzz Cargo, while just recently, the ID.7 became the flagship electric sedan of the German brand. Back to the ID.4 and ID.5, these two are battery-powered compact crossover SUVs produced in Zwickau and Emden (Germany), Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA), as well as Anting plus Foshan (China).
They are both almost the same – the ID.5 features a sloping roofline that gives it a better drag coefficient but also decreases the available trunk space. Anyway, they are mostly seen as two sides of the same coin, which is probably why Volkswagen also updated them together for the UK market. The two electric CUVs have a new infotainment system showcased on a larger 12.9-inch screen, an optional augmented-reality HUD, and the driving mode selector was moved to the steering column. There is also a new IDA voice assistant, while the previous Volkswagen Digital Sound Package with subwoofer was substituted for a 480W premium Harman Kardon sound system with ten speakers – it's optional on the RWD Pro trim and standard on 4Motion GTX versions.
From now on, all ID.4 and ID.5 versions feature the new APP550 drive unit introduced on the ID.7. It offers 286 ps (282 hp) and a colossal torque increase from 310 to 545 Nm (229 to 402 lb-ft), while the AWD ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX gain 41 ps (40 hp) for a total of 340 ps (335 hp), enough to hit 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds. There's also improved efficiency, not just performance gains, so the best ID.4 rating is now 337 miles, while the ID.5 surges to 339 miles on a charge.
Thanks to a new thermal management feature, faster DC charging is also possible at up to 175 kW instead of 135 kW, so now a ten-minute charge is enough for a range of about 110 miles. Last but not least, there's also a new Costa Azul blue metallic paint option and a further refined GTX-exclusive Dynamic Chassis Control system. Prices in the UK start from £46,035 (RRP), which is $57,070 at the current exchange rate, and surge to £56,545 – over $70k.
Google News