Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV's launch just weeks away

Volkswagen has confirmed that it will pull the drapes of its production-ready 2021 VW ID.4 in a "matter of weeks" and to prove it, the German car-maker has released new teaser images of the pure-electric SUV.

Since the Skoda Enyaq iV is set for a September 1 unveiling, expect the Volkswagen ID.4 – which is identical beneath the skin– to be launched a few days before its Czech cousin.

Already leaked in China, it’s thought Volkswagen’s first electric SUV for Europe and the rest of the world will share a close resemblance to the Chinese model.

Created to battle the Tesla Model Y, leaked data suggests the battery-powered Volkswagen ID.4 will measure in at 4592mm long and 1852mm wide.

Despite being sized between the Tiguan and longer Tiguan Allspace, thanks to a flat floor and lack of an internal combustion engine, the ID.4's interior is set to offer the cabin space of an SUV one class larger, including plenty of luggage space.

Differing from the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback, with which it shares its MEB platform, batteries and pure-electric powertrain, the ID.4 gets a jacked-up ride height and plenty of black plastic cladding.

In China, the Volkswagen ID.4 will be launched with a powerful 150kW/310Nm electric motor, although higher-output twin-motor all-wheel drive variants delivering 225kW/450Nm will arrive later.

Pricing for the Volkswagen ID.4 will start below €30,000 ($A50,000) in Europe and three lithium-ion battery choices will be offered – 45kWh, 58kWh and range-topping 77kWh. The biggest and most expensive battery offers a maximum claimed range of around 500km on a full battery charge.It’s not clear where Volkswagen Australia intends to position the ID.4 when it eventually arrives here, but the most affordable electric SUV currently available Down Under is the Hyundai Kona Electric ($60,740). The MG ZS EV will soon steal that title when it launches here, priced at $46,990 drive-away.

Like the Golf-sized ID.3 small hatch and several other future EVs from VW including a Kombi-channelling people-mover, the Volkswagen ID.4 is based on a dedicated EV platform architecture called MEB, which will be shared with Ford of Europe.

Volkswagen Australia had plans for the ID.4 to spearhead its local EV assault by late 2022 or 2023, but as we reported last month those plans are now in doubt due to COVID-19 and the lack of a CO2 tax or EV incentives Down Under, where the car industry recently announced a voluntary CO2 code that falls short of Europe’s strict emissions regulations.

In preparation for the release of a range of EVs here, Volkswagen Group Australia has already announced the establishment of a new national EV training centre in Melbourne, in partnership with Porsche.