America's Volkswagen ID.4 Will Be Very Different

Volkswagen's first electric SUV is nearly here.

After being previewed by the ID. Crozz Concept back in 2017, the Volkswagen ID.4 is nearly here. As the debut of VW's first electric SUV approaches, VW has released a video showing a prototype of the US-spec ID.4 being put through its paces at the automaker's North American Engineering and Planning Center.

German customers have different expectations to US customers, which is why the ID.4 is being adapted for the US market with a different setup for the suspension, tires, brakes, and performance. Production of the ID.4 recently began at VW's Zwickau plant in Germany, but the US version will be at VW's Chattanooga factory in Tennessee from 2022.

Volkswagen has also set up a new battery testing lab to evaluate the battery packs and test them locally to provide feedback to the manufacturers. Battery packs for the US version of the ID.4 are being built in Georgia and assembled in Tennessee. To maximize the range, the ID.4 prototypes are tested in a variety of harsh conditions.

Volkswagen also tests competitor cars to see how they handle in comparison. In the US, the ID.4's main competitor will be the Tesla Model Y. In Europe, the ID.4 will use a single electric motor producing 201 horsepower, enabling the electric SUV to reach a top speed of 99 mph.

On a single charge, the ID.4 will last around 310 miles on a single charge based on the European WLTP cycle, but the US version will likely have more power and range, and potentially a greater towing capacity. Initially, the ID.4 will only be available with RWD, but an AWD version will launch at a later date. When it arrives, the ID.4 will be the first electric ID. model sold in the US as the ID.3 was only available in Europe.

The Volkswagen ID.4 will debut on September 24, where we should find out the final production specifications for the US market.