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Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

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Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#41

Post by rsynnott »

kbos87 wrote: post #2

What I’m really curious to see is whether or not “electric” is the single killer feature it is often positioned as. Semi-autonomous driving and overall UX are two places that Tesla is just so far ahead. I think other manufacturers will make progress, but they are likely to be slow. Electric is compelling but it’s only a small part of the overall value prop for a lot of buyers.

European BEV sales figures would indicate that Tesla's 'autopilot' is not a huge factor; of late Tesla has generally been 3rd or 4th (behind VW and one or both of Hyundai and Renault) in most markets.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#42

Post by skeeter2020 »

dhdhhdd wrote: post #25
MrRadar wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How often do you drive that far? The farthest I drive in one go is 350 miles and I only make that trip once every other year because it's exhausting. (If I could fly there I probably would.) A vehicle with a 100 mile range would cover pretty much all the other driving I do regularly.

Funny. I would not fly for a trip of 350 miles. Being at the airport early, going through security, checking in luggage, all of those are unpredictable. Most of the time i leave home 3 hours before scheduled flight, it can take 1 hour to get to the airport (depending on traffic, usually 20 minutes), and then all of the above. 3 hours can get me almost 200 miles away, and then I'm left with 150 miles of driving.

plus adding in (I think) the magic number is 400 miles when flying becomes safer than driving.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#43

Post by sparrc »

axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

Probably makes sense for you to wait then, I think most people are happy with 200-250 miles (I certainly would be)

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#44

Post by CameronNemo »

axaxs wrote: post #36
CameronNemo wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have to buy a "Sport Utility Vehicle"? Sedans like the Model 3 have a higher range.

Unfortunately, I do. I am very tall with bad knees and while some sedans fit me fine, getting in and out of them is excruciating. About the smallest thing I've been comfortable with is a Chevy Equinox, to give you a size comparison. It's more about the ride height than the size of the vehicle, but they seem to go hand in hand.

That is unfortunate. Driving extended periods in a cramped car is definitely a pain. Hopefully you are being compensated appropriately for these arduous trips.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#45

Post by shiftpgdn »

axaxs wrote: post #19
stefan_ wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a huge cost and weight penalty that makes no sense 99% of the time. You seem to be stuck in a 2010 mindset - battery swapping in particular is a hilarious failure of an idea. Watch out for the world overtaking you.

As someone who drives about 300 miles each way rather regularly, for me it -is- a real concern. Re: battery swapping, are you referring to the idea of like, hot swapping batteries on the road, or swapping to an upgraded battery at some point? I'm only specifically interested in the latter.

Look at an EV charge map and see what's along the route. I think the main difference ICE drivers miss is that if you have a home where you can level 2 charge you're leaving the house every day fully charged. I've only used a public charger once just to see if my account worked.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#46

Post by mhh__ »

rorykoehler wrote: post #10

I saw one in the wild last week and I am very happy to see that they look great and normal.

On the subject of styling I still find these electric cars slightly off with the plastic where the grill normally be. It just seems wrong - especially with a company like Tesla which has no design heritage to be bound to, one expects better.

The Taycan doesn't have this issue at the front, and I think it's a good looking thing.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#47

Post by LeegleechN »

CameronNemo wrote: post #34
pilingual wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A used Premier Bolt with DC quick charging is a good compromise here. The car software is well done, and while it isn't updated often that just means you can expect less bugs than Tesla's constantly updated software. Downsides to the Bolt include OnStar, 3rd party quick chargers are often broken, and their app is absolute garbage. Other than that I think ~$15k for 200+ miles is amazing.

What I don't think people understand is how quick these batteries can be charged. It is a plug in, get lunch, go to the bathroom, maybe stretch a bit, and get back on the road type of deal. How long does somebody really want to be driving/sitting in a car non-stop?

If your list includes "get lunch" it's not a quick charge. A 1 hour charge time can be planned around but it is still quite constraining.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#48

Post by mmglr »

The 1st edition is already "sold out". Reserving the AWD Pro S Gradient, a $49,675 car, is $100. So I suspect the 1st edition was around that same reservation cost. Too low. Everyone has $100 laying around. IMO reservations should be 10% msrp so that only serious buyers can make reservations.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#49

Post by kingsuper20 »

matmatmatmat wrote: post #13
kbos87 wrote: post #2

What I’m really curious to see is whether or not “electric” is the single killer feature it is often positioned as. Semi-autonomous driving and overall UX are two places that Tesla is just so far ahead. I think other manufacturers will make progress, but they are likely to be slow. Electric is compelling but it’s only a small part of the overall value prop for a lot of buyers.

It's obviously very personal, but for me, electric alone is a big plus. I find it more enjoyable to drive: No transmission shifting, really smooth acceleration, quieter, and that instant-on torque is pretty nice, too.

Another advantage in California (and likely other states) is that you get to avoid the enormous, rather useless, PITA called 'emissions inspection'.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#50

Post by mhh__ »

edhelas wrote: post #39

SUV…

Hopefully (particularly from the French car companies, as they have some interesting little designs from the past to draw from) EVs can provide a kick up the arse for manufacturers to lead rather than shit out SUV after SUV - particularly given that they are using new propulsion that can't afford unnecessary weight and drag.
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