Over in South Africa, Volkswagen is testing the ID. in humid weather, ensuring that everything is a-OK ahead of the start of production in November 2019. The Zwickau plant in Germany is where the electric hatchback the size of the Golf will be made, and the entry-level battery option promises 330 kilometers (205 miles) under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure.
It’s curious why Volkswagen chose a hatchback instead of a crossover for its first model based on the Modularer Querbaukasten, but looking at this decision from a pragmatic standpoint, this body style helps with range thanks to superior aerodynamic qualities. On the other hand, the I.D. Crozz will spawn a production model at some point in the future.
Fully Charged’s Robert Llewellyn had a go in one such prototype, the first drive of the ID. by a motoring publication. And yes, you’re not seeing things; Volkswagen changed the name from I.D. to ID., which is both confusing and gratuitous when you think about it.
Llewellyn claims the car feels solid despite the fact it’s still a work-in-progress test mule. But nevertheless, the lighting system, wheels, glass, seats, and dashboard are as close to production as they get. The 125-kW charging system, on the other hand, isn’t functional on this prototype.
Frank Bekemeier, the chief technology officer in charge of the e-Mobility product line, also makes a case for the augmented reality of the head-up display. What’s more, the range-topping battery option promises more than 500 kilometers (311 miles) of range.
South Africa has been chosen by Volkswagen for ID. trialing for another reason, and that is the fine-tuning of the suspension and tires on imperfect road surfaces. Even in this state, the car doesn’t let too much noise get into the cabin, not even from the electric motor that’s integrated into the rear axle.
The verdict Robert gave on the ID. is “truly amazing,” and for all the right reasons. As opposed to the “production hell” that Tesla faced with the Model 3, the Volkswagen will be produced en masse from the get-go. In 2020 alone, the Wolfsburg-based automaker plans to manufacture no less than 100,000 examples of the breed.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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