Volkswagen ID.4 production starts, Australian debut at least two years away

Volkswagen’s electric vehicle range continues expanding.

With production of the Golf-sized ID.3 underway, its Zwickau factory has started pumping out the ID.4 SUV – the car that will kickstart Volkswagen’s pure-electric push in Australia.

However, it’s not clear exactly when that push will start. At the moment, it’s on track for an arrival in 2022 or 2023.

As for why the ID.4 is coming Down Under before the ID.3? Australia’s love affair with SUVs is to blame.

“It would be logical if we go the ID.4, the SUV [first]. I think the market here now is 65, 64 per cent SUV,” said Michael Bartsch, Volkswagen Australia managing director.

“That would make the most sense, that’s where the business model would be, because the volume would be there, because that’s where the market is.”

Although it’s been leaked in China, the ID.4 hasn’t been officially been unveiled yet.

Volkswagen overnight confirmed the range-topping model will have more than 500km of range on the tougher WLTP test cycle, and we know it’ll be built on a variation of the MEB platform underpinning the ID.3.

“The ID.4 is based on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB). This is an all-electric platform that maximises the opportunities offered by e-mobility,” Volkswagen said.

“With its low drag coefficient of 0.28 and scalable battery system, the ID.4 can cover over 500 kilometres (to WLTP). The vehicle also offers plenty of interior space, and the powerful proportions lend an ultra-modern look to the exterior.”

The ID.3 hatch and ID.4 SUV will be followed by an expanded range of pure-electric vehicles, including a reborn plug-in Kombi and a modern beach buggy.