Volkswagen EVs to reach Australian owners in 2023 from about $60k

Volkswagen Australia is targeting an entry price of about $60,000 for its first EV, the Tesla Model Y-rivalling ID.4 SUV, which is due to hit local showrooms in late 2023.

At around the same time as the ID.4 arrives, Volkswagen will also bring the fastback-style ID.5 crossover, giving it a two-prong EV range.

The company says it is seeing high levels of enquiry already, and expects people on lease plans due to end next year to start putting their names down. It will open a register-your-interest waitlist for customers before Christmas this year.

As far as supply goes, it remains to be seen if we will get a trickle or a flood.

The company has imported two UK-spec ID.4 models for media drives, displays, and internal training ahead of the launch: a base ID.4 Pure Performance with 345km range and a flagship ID.4 Pro Performance with a claimed 522km range.

While the Australian launch line-up is not yet confirmed, the company has provided a pretty good hint of what to expect.

“A fully loaded ID.4 Pro Performance will most closely reflect Volkswagen Australia’s planned launch specification, while the ID.4 Pure Performance also takes on a key role during discussions with fleet and government agencies,” it said.

Fleet operators such as councils are telling VW they plan to charge back at base, and don’t demand as much range or as many luxury features.

“Strategically the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 represent the most sizeable opportunity for Volkswagen Australia in countless years,” claims Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles brand director Michal Szaniecki

“The ID.4 will not set out to charge customers a premium for being a style statement or shortchange practicalities in any way for being electric. We know that Australians most love medium SUVs, and the ID.4 combines this versatile bodystyle with enviable Volkswagen engineering including a long range.

“The ID.4 will bring electric performance to a broad customer base with target pricing similar to our most in-demand SUV, the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line [starts at $57,690 plus on-roads and before options].

“Arriving at the same time will be the coupe-style ID.5 with pricing similar to a Tiguan R [$68,990 before on-road costs], enabling customers to alternatively pick an even more design-focused BEV.”

The ID.4 and 5 are based on the company’s MEB dedicated battery electric platform with rear-wheel drive and a rear motor. The ID.4 Pro and ID.4 Pure use 82kWh and 55kWh battery packs respectively, with 522km and 345km range claims on the stricter WLTP cycle.

The ID.4 Pro’s rear motor outputs 150kW and 310Nm, compared to 125kW and 310Nm for the shorter-range Pure. The respective 0-100km/h times are 8.5 seconds and 9.0 seconds.

The ID.4 Pro can handle up to 125kW DC enabling charging from 0-80 per cent in 33 minutes, and to full in 42 minutes. The ID.4 Pure can handle 110kW DC fast charging but is a bit quicker to charge because of its smaller battery.

With specification still to be locked in for Australia, highlights of the Pro Performance above the Pure Performance in overseas specification include 19-inch alloy wheels (vs 18s), progressive steering, a surround-view camera, augmented reality head-up display, 12-inch infotainment (vs 10-inch), and a 450W seven-speaker sound system.

Moving into 2024, expect the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX dual-motor models to arrive, as well as the post-update ID.3 hatchback.