First Impressions of VW ID.4 GTX Flagship | 29 Apr 2021

On today’s podcast:

• Volkswagen ID 4 GTX is performance EV flagship
• Volkswagen ID.5 teased
• Skoda starts Enyaq deliveries in Norway
• GM Ultium Charge 360
• Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E to pace NASCAR Talladega Cup Series race
• Tesla’s head of UI departs
• Hyundai Kona Electric discontinued in Korea
• Third VW Plant In China Under Construction

 

 

Show #1066

 

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Thursday 29th April. It’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.

 

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VOLKSWAGEN ID 4 GTX IS PERFORMANCE EV FLAGSHIP

"The GTX’s powertrain comprises a 201bhp permanent magnet synchro machine (PSM) on the rear axle, and an asychronous motor (ASM) on the front axle. The two motors combine for 295bhp, although Volkswagen has yet to confirm the torque output. The system can power the ID 4 GTX from rest to 62mph in 6.2sec, with top speed limited to 112mph.  When it goes on sale, the range-topping version of the electric SUV will be the first ID model to use the new GTX badge" says Autocar: "While the GTI line is centred around the Golf, Volkswagen has chosen to use the ID 4 for the first GTX model because of both the growing importance of the SUV market and the decision to use a twin-motor powertrain, which the smaller ID 3 hatch is unable to accommodate."

 

"The Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is on sale in Germany now priced from €50,415 (around £43,500), although that includes a €7,500 subsidy from the German government. Under normal driving conditions, the ID.4 GTX is propelled by the rear electric motor alone. However, when the car recognises a loss of traction or a demand for more power through the accelerator, it activates the front motor to keep the SUV planted or accelerating as fast as it can. " reports AutoExpress: "To support the more powerful electric motors, the ID.4 GTX is available with an optional Sports package, which adds lowered sports suspension and progressive steering - the latter altering the steering ratio according to the amount of steering lock applied. Volkswagen’s optional Sports Plus package builds on this further with adaptive dampers. To mark it out as the performance model it gets a new front bumper with LED-backlit intakes, a sporty rear diffuser and 20-inch alloy wheels. Matrix LED headlights also come as standard, along with dynamic indicators and a two-tone paint finish. Larger 21-inch alloys are offered as an option."

 

"Power is drawn from a 77kWh battery pack that sits underneath the cabin floor, and is capable of up to 125kW charging from rapid chargers. Estimated range on the WLTP cycle is rated at 297 miles – a drop of only around 17 miles compared to a standard 77kWh ID.4. VW hasn’t released kerb weights as yet, but thanks to the extra hardware on board expect a jump on a standard ID.4’s 2124kg figure, likely making this ‘electric GTI’ a 2200kg-plus proposition. " says the performance mag evo: "In reality, a 2.2 ton ID.4 is not the GTX we’re particularly interested in, but when Volkswagen (or likely Cupra) decides to drop this powertrain into something a little smaller and lighter, we’ll start taking notice of the ‘electric GTI’ connection VW is so determined to establish."

 

"The GTX name will be used on more upcoming all-electric ID models in Europe. The AWD version coming to the US later this year might not carry the GTX designation but will have similar technical specifications. When the driver hits the brake pedal, the rear motor is responsible for decelerating the EV while recovering energy. The front motor can recover energy in some situations. The rear motor can brake up to a deceleration rate of about 0.3g, after that, the hydraulic brakes kick in. In the D drive mode, energy regeneration only happens when the brake pedal is applied. However, when in the B (Brake) drive mode, power regeneration starts when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal." says InsideEVs. The U.S. EPA range is 250 miles for RWD. "Standard features in the ID.4 GTX include a 30-color ambient lighting system, a heated leather steering wheel, leatherette seating with red stitching, a 5.3-inch driver's display, a 10-inch center touchscreen, the Hello ID voice assistant, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.  Optional features offered in various packages include a 12-inch center touchscreen, an augmented reality head-up display, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and the Travel Assist driver-assistance system."

 

And we couldn't get to the end without a comparison with the cars which still, for many, define the EV segment. According to Car & Driver: "Claimed performance is, frankly, underwhelming by segment standards. Volkswagen's promise of a 6.2-second zero-to-62-mph time translates to GTI-level acceleration but looks leisurely by segment standards, delivering on our prediction that Volkswagen's fastest EV will be slower than the cheapest and least powerful Tesla."

 

 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-2021-volkswagen-id-4-gtx-performance-ev-flagship

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/354855/new-hot-electric-volkswagen-id4-gtx-launched-295bhp

 

https://insideevs.com/news/503979/volkswagen-id-4-gtx-electric/

 

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36275982/vw-id4-gtx-revealed/

 

VOLKSWAGEN ID.5 TEASED

"Recently, during the presentation of the ID.4 GTX, came the first major showing of the ID.5 and the confirmation of a GTX version of it. This is the latest vehicle to ride on VW's MEB platform for EVs but with a sleeker roof than on the ID.4.The front of the ID.5 is nearly identical to the ID.4, and the flanks are similar. The major change is the roof's distinct arch, whereas the ID.4 is a bit more angular. The design differences between them are not very significant." says Motor1: "The two models likely share the same powertrains."

 

SKODA STARTS ENYAQ DELIVERIES IN NORWAY

"Škoda has started deliveries of its electric model Enyaq iV. The first model was delivered to a family in Norway. After the start of deliveries in the Scandinavian markets, Western and Central Europe are to follow from May and June 2021." says electrive: " the Enyaq iV 60 and 80 variants were available with rear-wheel drive – i.e. with 58 kWh or 77 kWh battery capacity. In the meantime, the basic Enyaq iV 50 model with a 52 kWh battery can also be ordered. The two all-wheel-drive models are not yet available."

 

UK pricing starts at £31,085 and UK deliveries start in a few weeks.

 

https://www.electrive.com/2021/04/28/skoda-starts-enyaq-deliveries-in-norway/

 

GM ULTIUM CHARGE 360

"Much like Ford does with its FordPass network, the Ultium Charge 360 will integrate GM’s own vehicle apps and software with a variety of third-party charging services, such as Blink, ChargePoint, EVgo, Flo, Greenlots, and SemaConnect. The goal is to create a seamless experience in which an owner of a GM electric vehicle can drive up to a station, plug in, and start charging without having to juggle multiple apps or third-party memberships." says The Verge: " lot will depend on the level of service provided by these various charging services, an aspect that GM will have little control over. EV charging in the US is a bit of a mess, with broken chargers, fraying cables, and unreliable maps. While GM can’t solve some of the more intractable problems, it says it’s doing what it can to make charging a little less of a headache. GM wouldn’t say whether its forthcoming EVs would include Plug and Charge capabilities, a new technology standard that allows a much simpler way to charge your car."

 

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/28/22407789/gm-ev-charging-general-motors-ultium-charge-360

 

ELECTRIC FORD MUSTANG MACH-E TO PACE NASCAR TALLADEGA CUP SERIES RACE

"The Ford Mustang-Mach E is hitting the track. The all-electric utility vehicle will serve as the pace car for the NASCAR Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April. 25." says Fox NEws: "Ford's electric cars have come a long way in the past decade. While the Focus had a range of 115 miles per charge, the Mach-E is available in a version that can cover 305 miles between stops."

 

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/electric-ford-mustang-mach-e-nascar-talladega-cup-series

 

TESLA’S HEAD OF UI DEPARTS

"Tesla’s longtime head of user interface design has left the company, and he has published some images of previously unreleased UI design for the Cybertruck and Full Self-Driving software in the process. These designs were seen partially in the Cybertruck launch but never so clearly…" says Fred at eelectreK: "According to his LInkedin profile, Pietryka left Tesla last month to create his own design firm called Moderne Grafik Anstalt. Pietryka has been replaced as head of UI design at Tesla by Ben Cunningham, who came to Tesla last year from Facebook. As part of Pietryka’s portfolio on his new firm’s website, the designer shared some images of his designs at Tesla."

 

https://electrek.co/2021/04/28/tesla-head-ui-leaves-leaks-unreleased-cybertruck-fsd-images/

 

HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC DISCONTINUED IN KOREA

"There've been whispers about an uncertain future for the Hyundai Kona Electric, and on Wednesday we learned it's going away in the automaker's home country of Korea. The country's Yonhap News Agency first reported Hyundai will discontinue the Kona Electric locally as recalls for battery fires continue. The company will instead focus on the Ioniq 5 as its flagship EV for now." sayas CNET: "Hyundai recently revealed a refreshed model with new looks but an identical powertrain, set to go on sale soon in both Europe and the US. Korea, however, will have to deal with whatever models remain at dealership lots."

 

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hyundai-kona-electric-discontinued-battery-fire-recalls/

 

THIRD VW PLANT IN CHINA UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Volkswagen Group China has begun construction of an all-new MEB plant at Volkswagen Anhui recently. As the third of the Group’s pure-electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in China, following completion of the Anting (SAIC VW) and Foshan (FAW-VW) plants, the Volkswagen Anhui plant will be powered by green energy from day one. Due for completion mid-2022, the plant is set for start of production in the second half of 2023. The plant is another cornerstone of Volkswagen’s global e-mobility push. By 2025, Volkswagen Group China plans to deliver up to 1.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) per year.

 

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