Western News: February 22, 2024

8
Thursday February 22 2024
THE ID.4 is a milestone on
the road to full electrification
for German automotive giant
Volkswagen, clocking in as the
company’s first vehicle built on a
dedicated EV platform.
There’s plenty going for
the ID.4 in terms of space,
technology, performance, and
versatility. For our market, it’s
a two model show comprising
the generously appointed PRO
$74,990 that’s under scrutiny
in this road test, or the more
lavishly appointed $79,990 PRO+.
Both go the EV distance better
than most with a real world
electric ranges of 519km.
The ID.4 has the standard
SUV body shape with its
sibling the ID.5 opting for a
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Stylish, smooth EV ticks all the right boxes
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
more sophisticated coupe-like
appearance. I preferred the cleancut
and less intricate styling of
the ID.4.
Getting behind the wheel of
the ID.4 is a tad surreal with the
vehicle sensing your presence
and automatically starts when
you sit in the driver’s seat using
the smart key.
The test car had heaps of heft
from a beefy 77kWh battery
and an electric motor producing
150 kW of power and 310 Nm
of torque. This is more than
enough and with some to spare,
to shift this decent sized SUV
with genuine zip, cocooning
you in silence, whether it’s a laid
back around town excursion, or a
lively open road dash.
Ratings out of 10: Performance 8 Handling 8; Build Quality
8; Comfort 7; Passenger and Load Space 8; Value for money
7; Safety – Five Star ANCAP crash rating.
Overall points out of 10: 8
Incorporating
best motorbuys
Throttle response is
exhilarating and addictive.
Standing start acceleration
provided by the electrified system
makes most conventional engines
look like slouches. A single
speed automatic is super efficient
and its computer brain’s task of
choosing what gear to select is
about as easy as it gets.
A roomy and welcoming
cabin has an abundance of
usable passenger and cargo
space. Instruments and controls
are designed with meticulous
attention to detail. There’s a
12-inch central touch display,
multifunction steering wheel,
push button start, heated front
seats and steering wheel, with the
latter adjustable for height and
reach.
Safety is paramount, and the
ID.4 delivers in emphatic fashion
with a coveted 5-Star ANCAP
safety rating. This was earned
through leading edge safety
tech such as Front Assist with
Predictive Pedestrian and Cyclist
Protection. Side Assist with Rear
Traffic Alert warns the driver of
collisions with other vehicles,
cyclists, pedestrians and static
obstacles.
All the excellent ride and road
holding traits associated with
Volkswagen are embodied in
the ID.4. The suspension sees
Macpherson struts fitted at the
front and a multi link set-up
at the rear. Both work their
magic to deliver an immensely
satisfying drive, that’s right out
of the top draw. Rear-wheel drive
offers effective traction over most
road surfaces from the good, the
bad, and the down right hideous.
The high-voltage battery fits
snuggly into the floor of the
ID.4 between the axles, with its
low centre of gravity giving the
vehicle exceptional agility and
balance during brisk cornering.
With its solid and compact
European feel the test vehicle
ID.4, had a genuine and desirable
point of difference over many
of its peers. This is decidedly
advantageous in one of the fastest
growing and most competitive
segments of our new car market.
The test vehicle was subjected
to an unrelenting assortment of
bruising bumps and potholes,
on a couple of lengthy drives on
rural roads, that didn’t show a
shred of country hospitality. I
emerged from this experience
with a deeper respect of the ride
comfort and handling talents of
this outstanding EV.
Vaughan Pirie
owner operator
027 565 5577
vpbaeries@gmail.com
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