The ID.4 is the first all-electric SUV from Volkswagen. Its exterior design clearly shows the dawn of the new era: it combines a powerful expression with flowing, organic forms and excellent aerodynamics.
With the ID.4, Volkswagen is expanding its all-electric vehicle offering with a model in the compact SUV segment, the largest segment worldwide. The car will be built initially in Europe and China and will later be produced in the U.S.
Klaus Zyciora knows the character of the ID.4 like no-one else—the Head of Design for the Volkswagen Group designed the car together with his team. “The ID.4 represents an electric design evolution,” says Zyciora. “Its exterior design is clean, flowing and powerful. It appears strong and self-confident in a new way. This is mainly due to the seamless, aerodynamic style of our electric vehicle family, which we have transferred to the SUV segment for the first time with the ID.4.
“This means that gentle, soft transitions alternate with sharp, clear separating edges. The design looks as if shaped by the wind itself. At the same time, the modern look of the ID.4 can be seen by the characteristic headlights and the signature light between them.”
Good design is also always functional—and for an electric vehicle, drag is a key factor for range. “The design evolution of the ID.4 also means that we have focused very strongly on the aerodynamics,” explains Zycoria. The ID.4 achieves an excellent drag coefficient of 0.28. The most important factor for this is the flowing shape of the vehicle body and passenger compartment, which is significantly drawn in towards the rear. This is complemented by many precisely executed details. For instance, the tail light cluster and the large roof spoiler ensure that the air flow is cleanly separated.
As part of its “Transform 2025+” strategy, the Volkswagen brand will invest 11 billion euros in electric mobility by 2024. The ID.4, the first all-electric SUV from Volkswagen, is the second model based on the new modular electric drive matrix (MEB), following the ID.3. Thanks to the low drag coefficient of 0.28 and scalable battery system, ranges of more than 310 miles (according to WLTP) are possible with the ID.4.
The new SUV will initially be launched with rear-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive variant will follow at a later date The high-voltage battery is positioned in the underbody to create a low centre of gravity for optimal driving dynamics as well as extremely well-balanced weight distribution.
