ID.4 to be Volkswagen's New U.S.-bound EV Crossover

author: Manish Kharinta   

German automaker Volkswagen AG took to this month's Frankfurt motor show and unveiled its 5-door electric hatchback. The company's electrification plans are ramping up aggressively, as a recent report indicates that the company is already working on introducing a new EV crossover aimed at the North American market.

The U.S.-bound electric crossover will probably make its debut in the spring of 2020 and is rumored to take on the "ID.4" moniker, according to an anonymous source at the Frankfurt motor show.

Volkswagen refrained from disclosing any further details and opted to officially comment on the possibility of such a crossover being in development. However, there was a camouflaged prototype showcased as part of VW's line up.

The ID.4 crossover may share its foundation with Volkswagen ID Crozz concept to some extent. We also expect to see ID.4 as a two-row, five-passenger crossover, which quite likely will conform to a traditional SUV design language. 

The heavily camouflaged crossover was spotted testing alongside the Volkswagen ID.3 EV last month. Although heavily camouflaged, the electric vehicle featured a sloping roofline reminiscent of the ID Crozz concept.

Both the ID.4 and ID.3 EV will most likely share the same MEB vehicle architecture. The report also suggests that ID.4 will be powered by a dual-motor electric powertrain churning out around 300 hp. In addition, the crossover might come in an all-wheel-drive configuration featuring one electric motor located on each axle.

Volkswagen also confirmed that its compact ID.3 hatchback will exclusively be sold in European markets, disappointing some North American EV fans. However the larger ID.4 crossover is being targeted for the U.S.

Other mainstream automakers like Ford Motor Co are currently in the middle of a portfolio revamp, which aims to include more crossovers, trucks, and SUV models thanks to the widely popular sport utility vehicle segment.

Based on Ford's initiatives, it's all more likely that Volkswagen is planning on entering the American market with an electric crossover like the ID.4. 

Volkswagen will officially unveil ID.4 in the spring of 2020, which means that the electric crossover might go on sale in fall next year when the 2020 electric models from other automakers hit the market.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.