Volkswagen has announced a series of upgrades for its electric SUV models, the ID.4 and ID.5, in the European market. The new versions of the EVs feature a more powerful and efficient electric drive, a larger battery pack, a faster charging capability and a new infotainment system.
New electric drive and battery for longer range and performance
The most significant improvements are applied to the rear-wheel-drive versions of the ID.4 and ID.5 with the 77 kWh battery pack. They now have a new electric motor that produces 282 hp (210 kW) and 545 Nm (402 lb-ft) of torque, which is an increase of 80 hp (60 kW) and 235 Nm (173 lb-ft) over the previous generation. The power delivery is also improved in every situation with an additional 75% more torque.
Thanks to the new electric drive, the ID.4 Pro can achieve a WLTP range of up to 550 km (342 miles), which is an improvement of 17 km (11 miles) compared to the previous version. Similarly, the ID.5 Pro can travel up to 556 km (345 miles) on a single charge, which is 11 km (7 miles) more than the model it replaces.
The all-wheel-drive versions of the ID.4 and ID.5 also get a power boost, but not as significant as the rear-wheel-drive models. The ID.4 Pro 4Motion and ID.5 Pro 4Motion now have a system power of 250 kW (335 hp), which is an increase of 30 kW (40 hp) over the previous generation. The ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, which are the sporty flagship models, also have the same system power as the Pro 4Motion models, but they can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.4 seconds, which is 0.9 seconds faster than before.
The top speed of all models has been increased from 160 km/h (99 mph) to 180 km/h (112 mph). The adaptive chassis control (DCC) has also been fine-tuned to offer a greater spread between comfort and dynamics.
Faster charging and thermal management
The charging capacity of the models with the 77 kWh battery pack has been increased from 135 kW to 175 kW, which means that they can add about 178 km (111 miles) of range in just ten minutes at a fast-charging station. The models with the smaller 58 kWh battery pack also get a slight improvement in charging capacity, from 110 kW to 115 kW.
The upgraded models also have a new charging and thermal management system that ensures the battery is preconditioned before arriving at the next charging stop. This means that the battery is heated or cooled to the optimal temperature for fast charging, depending on the ambient conditions.
New infotainment system with intuitive operation
The interior of the ID.4 and ID.5 has also been upgraded with a new infotainment system that features a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen as standard, up from 12 inches previously. The screen has a new menu structure that is more intuitive and user-friendly, as well as a higher resolution and faster response.
The digital cockpit behind the steering wheel has also been enhanced with more information and customization options. The optional head-up display with augmented reality has also been improved with more graphics and animations.
The touch sliders for air conditioning and volume control are now illuminated for better visibility and feedback. The multifunction steering wheel has also been revised with a new operating logic that is more consistent and ergonomic.
The voice assistant has also been upgraded with more accuracy and functionality. It can now respond to commands such as “Show me the weather”, “What’s the score of the game?” or “How are my stocks doing?”.
The optional premium sound system from Harman Kardon has also been upgraded with ten speakers and a total output of 480 W.
Same base prices despite the upgrades
Volkswagen has kept the base prices of the ID.4 and ID.5 unchanged despite the upgrades. In Europe, prices start at €40,335 ($42,780) for both models.
The upgraded models are now available to pre-order in Europe, while deliveries are expected to start in early 2023.
