West Berkshire Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
Motoring Journalist Sue Cooke test drives
the electric new Volkswagen ID.4...
The pandemic has resulted in the average
driver reducing their mileage by 42% over
the last year according to a survey by
Kwik Fit, automotive servicing and repair
company. My daughter is one such driver,
stopping her 70 miles each way commute
and working from home and enjoying it
so much she is hoping this will continue.
Clocking up fewer miles could also
encourage owners to change to a
different power source to drive their car.
Volkswagen has seen an increase in
pure electric car sales. JATO Dynamic’s
European data shows that VW has
become the second largest EV seller,
bringing a stream of capable, net carbonneutral
electric family cars to market.
I road tested the ID.4 this week, which
is extremely attractive. The family SUV
can be personalised with contrasting
black roof as a no cost option, or an
eye-catching silver style pack, which
adds silver to the roof trim, roof rails and
rear pillars. It is also possible to select
white interior styling elements and a white
steering wheel, at no cost. The ID.4 Pro
Performance has a towing capacity of
up to 1,000 kg and a folding tow bar is
an option.
This compact SUV has just been
awarded World Car of the Year 2021.
Judges praised the environmentally
friendliness of no direct emissions as
well as the innovative features. I like
the optional head-up display which can
project important information onto the
windscreen such as turn arrows of the
navigation system. The driver sees this
information as a three-dimensional,
staggered image at an apparent distance
of three to ten metres in front of the
vehicle. When Adaptive Cruise Control
or the optional Travel Assist is active, the
vehicle in front of the ID.4 is highlighted
with a luminous marking in the head-up
display from a certain speed to be able to
keep the required distance.
The other very attractive feature is that
the vehicle is always up to date receiving
regular updates and new functions “over
the air”. Volkswagen will be the first
provider in the volume segment to offer
this from the Summer.
There is a range of different variants
which currently number eight. The entry
level model City sets the pace for the
equipment offered across the electric
SUV’s range, with standard-fit features
including LED headlights and tail lights,
10-colour ambient lighting throughout
the car’s interior and a 10-inch Discover
Navigation Pro infotainment system.
Driver assistance systems include Front
Assist, Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise
Control in addition to convenienceboosting
assistance features like traffic
sign recognition, a rain sensor and
parking sensors front and rear.
About to launch is the first fully electric
high-performance model, the ID.4 GTX
representing a new sub-brand of sporty
all-electric models that introduce allwheel
drive to the ID. range.
Safety won the ID.4 the top score of five
stars in the Euro NCAP (European New
Car Assessment Programme) safety test,
for the protection of adult occupants,
children and vulnerable road users, as
well as in terms of assistance systems.
The barriers to EV ownership are quickly
eroding with more mileage capability,
more infrastructure and faster charging
times. The ID.4 ‘Pure’ and ‘Pure
Performance’ specifications can both add
up to 137 miles of range from a 100 kW
rapid charger in 30 minutes.
And I enjoyed my week’s driving in the
Volkswagen ID.4 so much, I actually
increased the number of miles I usually
drive!
Facts at a Glance
Model: VW ID.4 fully electric City Pure
Price on the road: £32,150
Power and torque: 52kWh, 148 PS
Range: 213 miles (WLTP combined)
Performance: 0-62mph in 10.9
seconds and on to a top speed of 99
mph
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