Volkswagen, pushing forward with its electrification strategy, welcomes the spearhead of this initiative, the all-electric SUV "ID.4," to Japan | Volkswagen
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen Launches First All-Electric SUV, the ID.4
Volkswagen, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 with its "Volkswagen way to ZERO" strategy, is accelerating the introduction of BEVs. Volkswagen Japan announced on November 22 that it will launch the new "ID.4," the brand's first all-electric SUV, at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide (as of November 22, 2022: 158 locations out of 246 authorized dealerships handling the ID.4).
Text by HARA Akira
Two Grades: Maximum Range of 388km and 561km
The new ID.4, launched in 2020, is the first all-electric SUV from Volkswagen to join the "ID. Family" of electric vehicle lineups based on the MEB architecture.
Following its production and launch in Europe, it is now a global strategic model produced and sold in North America and China. Approximately 120,000 units were sold worldwide in 2021, making it Volkswagen's most popular BEV (electric vehicle) and earning it the World Car of the Year award in 2021.
At the launch event, sprinter Ryota Yamagata, who was appointed ambassador, also took the stage. To his right is Andrea Carniani, Brand Director of Volkswagen Japan.
The Japanese specification of the new ID.4 features a rear motor and rear-wheel drive system, combining two battery capacities with different motor outputs. The "ID.4 Lite Launch Edition" is equipped with a 52kWh battery and a 125kW (170ps) / 310Nm motor, offering a maximum range of 388km (WLTC mode).
The higher-grade "ID.4 Pro Launch Edition" features a large 77kWh battery and a 150kW (204ps) / 310Nm motor, achieving 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds (European specification) and a maximum range of 561km (WLTC mode).
The thermal management system, which uses a cooling water circuit integrated into the floor plate to maintain an ideal temperature range, ensures stable high output, reduced charging times during rapid charging, and extended battery life. It guarantees that 70% of the original charging capacity will be maintained after 8 years or 160,000 km of driving (whichever comes first).
The exterior adopts a design that appears sculpted by the wind, with alternating sharp and clean edges.
The interior features a futuristic dashboard design, with a new drive mode selector integrated with the instrument cluster, replacing the traditional shift knob, and a large center display.
All models come standard with aluminum-look pedal clusters, with the accelerator pedal featuring a "play" symbol and the brake pedal a "pause" symbol.
The class-leading luggage compartment capacity can be expanded from 543 liters to 1,575 liters by folding down the rear seatbacks.
Furthermore, the "Launch Edition" introductory models include benefits such as one year of free membership to the "Premium Charging Alliance (PCA)" – a proprietary charging network of Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen – with monthly charging at Volkswagen dealerships up to 60 minutes free of charge, a subsidy of up to 100,000 yen for the installation of a home AC charger, and special residual value settings for the "Volkswagen Solutions" guaranteed buy-back residual value loan.
The prices are 4,999,000 yen for the "ID.4 Lite Launch Edition" and 6,365,000 yen for the "ID.4 Pro Launch Edition."
