My FH5 Log: The World Standard

The Volkswagen ID.4 is the winner of the 2021 World Car of the Year award, proving that Volkswagen's electrification gamble paid off with big dividends and now that it made its Forza Horizon 5 appearance, it's time to have a word with the new world standard.

Having won this electric crossover at the European Automotive Storm Season Playlist, it's time to get to know about the Volkswagen ID.4.

The ID.4 is Volkswagen's first crossover SUV from the ID range of electric vehicles. Launched in 2020, the ID.4 runs on the same mechanicals as the ID.3 hatchback. It also bears the same shape as well. Running on the MEB platform, the ID.4 is powered by a choice of three battery sizes at launch with the largest being 77kWh (delivering 204PS of power output through the rear axle) and a range of 511km driving range. Top speed is 160kph.

You may remember that in one of the ID.4's commercials in the US, Tanner Foust drives the ID.4 while chasing the Golf Mk.8 R, its benchmark car, asking if an electric car can perform like a hot hatch. To test Foust's theory, let's give the rear-wheel-drive ID.4 a quick spin around the streets of Guanajuato while up against a pack of city cars. Let's roll the tape.

Guess Tanner Foust was right, just.

From winning the 2021 World COTY award to becoming the first production EV to complete the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road race in the Baja peninsula, the Volkswagen ID.4 truly is the new world standard for electrics. Like it or not, this crossover is the real game-changer just like the Beetle and the Golf.

I wish I would end my first impression with the ID.4 in Forza Horizon 5 but I have other plans with this crossover so...watch this space.

Volkswagen ID.4 GTX

First launched in 2020, the ID.4 is Volkswagen's first electric crossover of the new era which is basically an ID.3 with added ground clearance but such reputation made this electric crossover win the World Car of the Year. It truly is the people's car of the new normal and as a reward for such a reputation, Volkswagen decided to give the ID.4 some more juice with the first-ever GTX variant.

The first-ever ID.4 GTX, priced at 50,415 Euros plus additional costs, is what observers called the electric crossover equivalent of the iconic Golf GTi but don't think that this crossover has the same dynamics as the Golf GTi because truth be told, it isn't and it's a bit more than that.

At first glance, it looks and feels just like the ID.4 but the GTX adds sportiness to its exterior design as well as gives a darker interior theme that suits its personality. It has a fitting expression of a tech guy in a tracksuit jogging in the morning, which fits the theme of the GTX's "sporty yet sustainable" motto. Although not meant to be a standout from the crowd, it sure has some bragging rights for this electric crossover.

The base ID.4 is rear-wheel-drive only but the GTX adds another electric motor to the front axles, making it a four-wheel-drive electric crossover that produces 299PS of power, 310Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 180kph. Although quicker than the normal ID.4, it still behaves like a normal Japanese car on the highway. One way to diss speedo boys behind the wheel, of course.

In terms of range, the GTX, thanks to its 77kWh battery pack, is good for 479km in one full charge and it takes up to 38 minutes to reach 80% battery capacity while at a public charging station or 450 minutes at home.

In terms of dynamics, the GTX is still mild to drive just like its normal equivalent, even when you set it to Sport Mode which adds responsiveness to it as well as gives more agility even with the ESC on. Not as good as the Golf GTi but it feels very easy to drive even in the dirt, although the bulk of it adds drama to its handling so expect to carry some painkillers with you because it's going to be quite challenging handling the GTX through the sharp bends.

As such, the GTX is jam-packed with the most advanced safety features Volkswagen ever thought of ranging from Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, multi-collision brake and Lane Assist, Side Assist lane change system, Park Assist, Park Distance Control, and so on. Another way to diss speedo boys behind the wheel, of course.

Although not the ideal substitute for the Golf GTi, the first-ever GTX model from Volkswagen is all about mild and menacing dynamics for drivers of all levels. It may be bulky to drive like most electrics but it feels very easy to enjoy and looks like it could be your favorite electric car to drive on a day-to-day basis.

Photo: Volkswagen AG

Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4

Volkswagen signaled the start of a new era with their original electric car called the ID.3 and the whole world's talking about one of the most important vehicles in Volkswagen's new era. So, what's it all about?

Priced under the 40K mark, the first-ever Volkswagen ID.3 signals the new era for the German carmaker and when it was first debuted, it was the first model to don Volkswagen's new logo, showcasing its minimalism in the pursuit of becoming a carbon-neutral carmaker in the future. Yes, they're going green and blue in the name of cleansing its image after the company was hit hard by the Dieselgate scandal that caused the whole world to rethink not just diesel but the whole fossil fuels.

Before getting to know more about its electric powertrain, let's observe the styling first. Drawing inspiration from the ID Concept first seen at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the ID.3's concept-turned-reality styling is a welcoming feat for customers looking for an electric car with futuristic styling that proves that the future is now thanks to science.

The interior of the ID.3 is what made them noticed because, like most modern vehicles, the ID.3's interior goes for a more minimalist approach, something that will scare away speedo boys behind the wheel because to them, it's pointless and complicated and some might agree with them because with the touch screen's the only brain that functions the radio, the sat-nav, the aircon, and other concessions of comfort around it, it's hard getting to know about it on the first try. Complicating the touch screen master control stuff maybe, but the comfort zone still feels like any car should be. There's seating for five people and despite being rear-wheel-drive, its 385-liter boot space behind the rear seats makes it a suitable workhorse be it for work or for fun. Nice one, Volkswagen.

Being the first to run in the new MEB platform for added flexibility while incorporating its revolutionary electric mechanicals, the ID.3 has a choice of three battery sizes at launch with the largest being 77kWh (delivering 204PS of power output through the rear axle) and a range of 550km by WLTP standards. A lesser version with a 45kWh battery, 330km range, and 160kph top speed will be added later.

Despite being a rear-wheel drive electric car that spells fun for the drivers, the ID.3 behaves like a sensible electric car that fits nearly well on the city streets because of its near good turning radius, 1,719kg minimum curb weight, and compact sizing. It works like every electric car should and although it doesn't translate into fun, it's zippy and you can drive as much as you want, although there's a shocking fact that the ID.3 is jam-packed with the most advanced safety features Volkswagen ever thought of ranging from Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, multi-collision brake and Lane Assist, Side Assist lane change system, Park Assist, Park Distance Control, and so on. These techs will keep you noticed and for speedo boys, this means panic in the driver's seat.

Yes, the Volkswagen ID.3 is proof that the future is now thanks to science and with its advanced tech, revolutionary electric powertrain, minimalist interior, and futuristic styling, this is the brave new world Volkswagen's heading or perhaps it could be heading because with crossovers rule the world like Hollywood superheroes, looks like the ID.3 might need some help from its superhero alter ego, which is its crossover version.

This is the first-ever Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover, which costs over five grand more than the ID.3 hatchback, and like the ID.3, the ID.4 crossover features the same bits and bobs as seen on the ID.3 but with slightly increased height.

At first glance, it's basically donning the same styling as the ID.3 but because this is the crossover cousin, the ID.4 has a slightly increased ground clearance just like any other hatchback that spawned its crossover cousins nowadays. Although it looks rugged, it behaves just like the ID.3 because like the one I said, it features a similar choice of battery packs with the range-topper bearing a 204ps 77kWh battery pack with a 511km driving range, which is 39km less than its hatchback equivalent, probably because it's slightly heavier than the ID.3's, but still good for an electric crossover that costs less than the Tesla Model Y.

Although being a crossover, the ID.4 is rear-wheel drive just like the ID.3, meaning you can't take it offroad and you can't go all out with it because it's got a 160kph limited top speed, which is twenty less than your normal Japanese car, but thanks to its MEB platform it dons and its clever dynamics, it's still breathable to drive, it's sensible, and above all, it's all common sense.

The ID.3 and the ID.4 are proof that Volkswagen's now living in a new era where electricity is the way, truth, and life in the pursuit of purity. Like it or not, this new era really is worth the hype and Volkswagen really is on the roll towards a brighter future, whatever the reason.

Photo: Volkswagen.