[Taboleo] Driving Volkswagen High-Performance Electric Car on the Autobahn
by Woo Sooyoun
Published 14 Apr.2023 06:00(KST)
Updated 17 Apr.2023 10:19(KST)
Volkswagen High-Performance Electric Vehicle ID.4 GTX
Test Drive in Germany from Hamburg to Magdeburg
480km Range · 295hp All-Wheel Drive
Driving Pleasure with Electric Car... Equipped with Convenience Features like AR HUD
There are many factors to consider when buying an electric vehicle (EV). From the most important vehicle price to driving range, charging methods, charging infrastructure, maintenance costs, brand, and design, there is a lot to think about. However, not many people consider the 'joy of driving' when purchasing an EV. The common belief is that going far is important, but expecting to enjoy the drive is difficult.
However, with recent technological advancements, electric vehicles that offer driving enjoyment are emerging one after another. The Kia EV6 GT and Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ launched in the domestic market are examples of such high-performance EVs. There are also high-performance electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) not yet introduced domestically. One of them is the ID.4 GTX, based on Volkswagen’s compact SUV ID.4. From June 15 to 17 (local time) last month, I experienced the joy of driving a high-performance EV by driving the ID.4 GTX on the Autobahn in Germany. The test drive route covered approximately 430 km from Hamburg to Hanover, Wolfsburg, and Magdeburg.
- How was the driving experience when you drove it yourself?
As a high-performance EV, it accelerates smoothly as you press the pedal. Since I drove in D mode with low regenerative braking, the typical jolting sensation of EVs was absent. The ID.4 GTX has a standard driving D mode and a regenerative braking B mode. It felt relatively firm for an EV, and the accelerator pedal response was good. When I pressed the pedal, I was able to drive steadily at 183 km/h, which is faster than the official top speed of 180 km/h.
The ID.4 GTX adds an 80 kW motor to the front wheels on top of the basic model’s 150 kW motor on the rear wheels. The total all-wheel-drive output is a maximum of 220 kW (295 horsepower). With two motors running simultaneously, the power increased by more than 90 horsepower compared to the base ID.4 (204 horsepower). It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds.
The power is much improved compared to the base ID.4, and driving stability has also been enhanced. The suspension has been slightly lowered to increase stability. Because the EV battery is mounted on the floor of the chassis, the center of gravity is stable during cornering. You can choose from various driving modes: Comfort, Eco, and Sport. Especially in Individual (customized) mode, you can experience a maximized sport mode. When driving in sport mode, the steering response improves, and the car moves more flexibly. The driving range is 480 km per charge based on the European WLTP certification. The battery capacity is 77 kWh. With fast charging, it can charge enough to drive 300 km in about 30 minutes.
- How about the design?
The most distinctive feature of the ID.4 GTX’s exterior is its dynamic design. It has sleek and sporty elements throughout. The body is designed with smooth and flexible curves to create a sharp image. This design also helps reduce the actual air resistance coefficient. Below the daytime running lights on the front, there is a honeycomb pattern with three hexagonal structures to give a sleek impression. The roof and rear spoiler (a device decorating the roof edge or trunk) are black, and the roof frame is a glossy dark gray color. On the rear, just below the Volkswagen logo, the ‘GTX’ logo is engraved to clearly express the identity of the high-performance vehicle.
The interior also reflects dynamism. Red stitching, often used in sports cars, is applied. The ‘GTX’ logo is engraved in the center of the steering wheel. It is also impressive that the gear lever is located just behind the steering wheel. You don’t have to reach down to the right side of the driver’s seat to change gears. You can operate the column-type gear lever right behind the steering wheel while keeping your eyes on the road. This shows thoughtful consideration for driver convenience. By the way, this car appears in Marvel’s superhero series ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ After driving it, I understood why this car was featured in the Ant-Man series. The witty and agile image of the ID.4 GTX fits well with Ant-Man.
- What about the convenience features?
The ID.4 GTX offers various convenience features. For example, the engine starts automatically when you sit in the seat and press the brake, and the gear shifts to parking (P) mode automatically when you open the door. There are many such subtle convenience features. However, the most impressive feature for me as a driver was the AR (augmented reality) head-up display. Honestly, I’m bad with directions. Even if the navigation tells me to turn right in 300 meters, I don’t know exactly where 300 meters is. But with the AR head-up display, a right-turn indicator appears on the actual road. From the driver’s perspective, a virtual sign appears on the real road. This is a very useful feature for someone like me who is bad with directions. Adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts the distance from the car ahead, is also applied. When the navigation recognizes the speed limit of the road, it automatically reduces the speed.
High-performance vehicles have a clear target audience, and many people are interested simply because they run on electricity. The market for high-performance vehicles has mainly been formed in advanced countries such as Europe and the United States, but recently demand has also emerged domestically. However, there are no plans or schedules yet for this model’s release in the domestic market.
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