While the previous model year only allowed a maximum charging speed of 125 kilowatts, it’s now increasing by 10 kW provided you’ll be replenishing the battery at a fast-charging DC station. Volkswagen of America goes on to say it’s working on new software that will come via an over the air (OTA) update later in 2022 to add a plug & charge feature as well as an auto-hold function.

You’re probably aware the ID.4 for the US market is currently sourced from Germany where VW builds the EV at its Zwickau plant. However, the future 2023MY for North America will roll off the assembly line at the factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will swap out the LG batteries of the German-made version for a new pack from SKI featuring similar battery chemistry. In addition, the ID.4 carrying the “Made in USA” label is going to have a slightly different center console by adopting a more “American-style.”

These changes were announced by VW of America CEO Scott Keogh in an interview with Car and Driver. The head honcho went on to say the 2023 ID.4 pricing will be in line with the current 2022 ID.4, which is up to $765 more expensive than the initial 2021 model year. Keogh promised a new entry-level trim will be added at some point with less range after installing a smaller battery. It could arrive for the 2024MY.

Meanwhile, the 2022 ID.4 is listed on VW USA’s website where it starts at $40,760 or as low as $33,260 after factoring in the federal tax credit.

[Source: Car and Driver]

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What does that actually mean in terms of charging times? Well, the OTA update will shave off as much as nine minutes from the time it takes to replenish the battery pack from 5% to 80%. In addition, the software revision comes along with a new Battery Care Mode that once activated, it won’t allow the owner to charge the battery to more than 80%. Doing so will increase the battery life’s, therefore changing the pack should be less of a concern.

The revised software will be baked into newly assembled ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5 models going forward, meaning future owners won’t have to download the OTA update after taking delivery of the vehicle. The changes planned by VW for its trio of dedicated electric models available in Europe also include support for bidirectional charging, but once again, only for the vehicles fitted with the 77-kWh battery.

Also on the way is an updated infotainment system structured in a clearer way. For example, the charging menu will be displayed at the top level. There’s an Online Route Calculation built into the navigation system that automatically calculates multi-stop route planning for extended trips in such a way as to reach the destination as quickly as possible. It does the necessary calculations based on the provided traffic and route data and how much battery charge the driver still wants to have at the end of the journey.

The tweaks will arrive in the near future and chances are equivalent EVs from Audi, Skoda, and Cupra will follow suit.

Source: Volkswagen

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Before we get started, let’s just get this out of the way; this isn’t going to be an exact apples-to-apples comparison for every car. Electric vehicles in the Q4’s price range are not created equal; some are sedans, some are hatchbacks, some are crossovers.

But because EV buyers have such a limited selection, they’re cross-shopping all of them. So even though it might not seem fair that a crossover gets bonus points over a sedan for its practicality, EV customers are going to weigh those factors when searching through their limited choice of EVs.

We’re also going to stick with entry-level prices and specs, as options and packages can be very different and difficult to compare. Since most EV customers’ main concern is always range anyway, we’re just gonna stick with the basics. Additionally, we’ll be using pre-destination prices and excluding any sort of government tax incentives, as some vary.

AUDI Q4 E-TRON

The Audi Q4 e-tron uses a 77 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor to make 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, so expect a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds. It’s also said to have around 250 miles of range in its entry-level form. Audi says the entry-level Q4 e-tron will start at around $45,000. There will be a dual-motor model coming soon, which will likely start between $50,000-$55,000 and come with 295 horsepower, slightly less range than 250 miles, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

VOLKSWAGEN ID.4

Audi’s sibling from Wolfsburg brings its own EV crossover to the fight. The Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $39,995 and has a single rear-mounted electric motor, paired with an 77 kWh net battery pack. The motor makes 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, getting the ID.4 from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It’s essentially a cheaper, less premium Q4 e-tron. It has a max range of 260 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel drive model comes in at under $50,000 and should bring the same 295 horsepower, 249 miles of range, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds as the dual-motor Audi.

TESLA MODEL 3

Without question, the most popular EV in the segment is the Tesla Model 3. The entry-level Model 3 is called the “Standard Range Plus” and it comes with a starting price off $39,990. Don’t be fooled by Tesla’s shady marketing that claims it starts at $30,690, because that’s after Tesla factors in the maximum government tax breaks and “gas savings”, which is absurd because its actual starting price is actually very good, so there’s no need to be shady about it. For that money, you get a single rear-mounted motor with 221 horsepower, 302 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 mph of 5.3 seconds. Additionally, an 80.5 kWh net battery pack provides 262 miles of range.

However, if you want a bit more miles or better performance, you can choose from either the Long Range ($49,990) or Performance ($56,990). The Model 3 Long Range gets 352 miles of range and a 4.2 seconds 0-60 mph time, while the Model 3 Performance gets 315 miles of range and around a 3.1 seconds 0-60 time.

POLESTAR 2

The Polestar 2 is an out-of-left-field choice but it’s still a good one and in the right price range. It starts at $45,900 and comes with a single front-mounted electric motor (which is unique in this list, as all other single-motor cars are rear-wheel drive), which makes 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft. It has a range of 265 miles and gets from 0-60 mph in a claimed 7.0 seconds. Again, bumping the Polestar 2 to the same price point as the BMW nets you the dual-motor version ($51,200) that gets 402 horsepower, 487 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.5 seconds 0-60 mph time. Though, range drops to 249 miles.

MUSTANG MACH E

The Mustang Mach E wears a starting price of $42,895 and for that you get a net 68 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor with 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. According to Ford, the Mach E can reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and achieve 230 miles of range.

Though, if you bump up to the California Route 1 model ($50,400), you get a few extra horses, 290 horsepower to be exact and a 305 mile range. Though, 0-60 drops to 6.1 seconds. The GT model ($59,900) is barely more than what the dual motor Q4 e-tron will be and uses dual motors to make 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, helping it hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Though, it only gets 250 miles of range.

BMW i4

The BMW i4 40 is at the pricier end of the segment. The “40” model is the entry level i4 model and it packs a decent amount of power and range for its $55,400 starting price. For that money, you get a four-door sedan, with a hatchback trunk, and a single rear-mounted electric motor that packs 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, getting it from 0-60 mph in a claimed 5.7 seconds. Sending the juice to that motor is a 81.5 kWh battery (83.9 kWh gross). Total range is 300 miles, according to BMW.

VERDICT

As you can see, the Audi Q4 e-tron is a bit outgunned in this segment, even with its competitive starting price. For similar money, or even less, you can get quite a few premium EVs that all have more impressive specs than the Q4. While the Audi’s cabin is nice and it’s apparently nice to drive, the same can be said for the Polestar and Mustang Mach E. The Tesla Model 3, while lacking the nice cabin, is also great to drive and has far better specs.

As good as the Audi Q4 e-tron may be, it seems like it’s going to struggle to find sales in an extremely competitive market.

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What initially was rumored to be an April 1 joke, now it might actually turn out to be true. According to CNBC, and other mainstream media, Volkswagen accidentally posted a press release on its website a month early announcing a new name for its U.S. business: Voltswagen of America. The new branding aims to show the carmaker’s ongoing efforts into the electro-mobility field.

The press release – which since has been pulled – said that the new Voltswagen name will go in effect starting May 2021. The branding will be placed on electric vehicles, while the Volkswagen badge will continue to show up on internal combusion-powered vehicles. The Voltswagen logo will also get a light blue color, compared to the dark blue for VW.

Allegedly, the Voltswagen of America would remain an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America and a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, with headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. Furthermore, apparently the name change won’t be made anywhere beyond the United States.

To add even more confusion around this bizarre press release, a tweet mentions that VW used an ad in 2013 with the Voltswagen name. The new name could also coincide with the launch of the VW ID.4, the company’s electric hatchback.

Stay tuned as the story is developing!

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You see, those who have already taken delivery of either MEB-based vehicles still have to visit their dealers to receive what VW refers to as the ID. Software 2.1 that unlocks support for OTA updates. The flip side is, this little inconvenience is only a one-time affair as future OTAs will be implemented without having to take the car to a VW dealer.

In addition, the ID.3 and ID.4 vehicles built from the calendar week 8 already have the necessary ID. Software 2.1, meaning new OTAs will be installed without the customer having to drop by the workshop.

VW is currently testing the first OTA update on more than 3,000 company cars and says the software will be pushed to customer cars soon. Interestingly, the German automaker promises to roll out a software revision once every three months. Specific details about the improvements that come with the updates have not been disclosed, with VW only referring to “optimizing software performance, these may also include new functions and customization options.”

Additional ID models are in the pipeline, including ID.5 and ID.6 SUVs while an entry-level ID.1 city car could arrive later this decade as a cheaper alternative to the ID.3 compact hatch. In addition, the ID. Buzz concept will revive the spirit of the Microbus in 2022, but with an electric twist. VW is not abandoning the once traditional sedan body style as a couple of saloons are also on the agenda.

It’s safe to say all of these electric vehicles from the ID lineup will support updates on the fly and it would make sense for equivalent models from Audi, Skoda, and SEAT riding on the same MEB platform to have this feature as well.

Source: Volkswagen

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