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Volkswagen's first EV in India; Will be initially offered as a CBU; Will rival the KIA EV6 and the Skoda Enyaq
Just days after the Skoda Enyaq was spotted testing on Indian roads, we now have news of Volkswagen following suit with its first EV product, the ID.4. Expected to start testing in the next few months, the company will offer the crossover SUV in limited numbers to understand the market response.
Like all VW Group EVs, the ID.4 will be built on the MEB platform and gets a crossover-like silhouette giving the vehicle an overall compact look. Despite being an EV, it projects an ICE like design, minus the front grille. Highlights of the exterior design include a sloping coupe-like roofline, large 21-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and an inter-connected tail lamp that extends the vehicle's width.
The Volkswagen ID.4 features a revolutionary cabin, unlike anything seen on past VW models. The four-wheeler gets a small floating instrument cluster mounted on the steering wheel and a large 12-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. Its interior is devoid of buttons and the central touchscreen acts as the control centre for your AC, infotainment and other functions. As the flagship product of the VW's EV range, the vehicle gets all necessary 2022 features like connected car tech, shift by wire, multi-mode regeneration, ADAS, panoramic sunroof, and more.
Mechanically, the EV will remain similar to the Skoda Enyaq. Both cars will be powered by the same 77-kWh battery pack either in a single motor RWD setup or a dual motor AWD setup. The single motor unit can produce a power output of 204 bhp and peak torque of 310 Nm, while the double motor unit will be sufficient for a higher 300 bhp state of tune. The claimed range on the four-wheeler stands at 520 kms (RWD)/ 480 kms (AWD), which will be less than Enyaq's 513 kms (RWD)/ 540 kms (AWD).
The German automaker has committed to testing the EV in India from September 2022. The car will undergo extensive testing to cope with the harsh weather conditions across the country before its market launch which is planned for the second half of 2023. Initially, the brand will bring the product in limited numbers through the CBU route, with local production planned from 2027.
So, do you think the ID.4 will be an exciting product to have in your garage? Let us know.