Volkswagen has revealed the electric ID5 coupe SUV, detailing its dimensions, new infotainment interface, maximum 520km of electric range and faster charging.
The MEB-based ID5 will compete in the midsize SUV segment, offering a sleeker – and surprisingly practical – alternative to the wagon-shaped ID4.
Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter shared his excitement for the new model, saying “the ID.5 is electric, sporty and elegant … [offering] carbon-neutral driving enjoyment for a discerning customer group. We are breaking into a completely new market segment with this model.”
Believe it or not, the coupe-shaped ID5 has more boot space than the ID4.
As for Australian plans, Volkswagen Australia’s electric vehicles manager Kurt McGuinness confirmed the ID5 would follow in the ID4’s footsteps, but with no immediate plans for release in our country as “BEVs are still prioritised for markets with emissions regulations and penalties for not meeting them.”
How does the ID5 differ from the ID4?
The ID5 lifts its front-end design cues straight from the ID4 SUV, with its LED headlights joined by a single LED strip. Like the front, the tail-lights are again joined by a contemporary take on the German ‘heckblende’ full-width lighting detail to emphasise the car’s stance.
The rear is where things differ from the ID4, with the ID5’s proportions looking promising in photographs. The rear three-quarter angle is striking, with a nicely integrated rear spoiler and wheels pushed right to the corners of the body.
The ID5 has some cracking details including the well-integrated boot spoiler and LED ‘heckblende’.
Moving inside, VW has been listening to customer feedback about its current infotainment system. The ID5 promises a more responsive iteration of the 12.0-inch touchscreen that runs navigation with real-time updates, and charging-station information.
Naturally, the ID5 has a digital instrument cluster, while its skateboard battery layout provides for an airy cabin that Volkswagen describes as ‘lounge-like’.
There will be a range of upholstery options, though pictured here is the mid-spec car’s light coloured fabric intended to be calming. The sporty GTX variant scores black seats with perforated ID logos on the backrests.
Inside, Volkswagen has taken advantage of the airy EV architecture and updated the technology.
Where does the ID5 fit into the market?
Measuring 4599mm long, the new ID5 is slightly longer than the 4580mm ID4 and rolls on a near-identical 2766mm wheelbase, though it has a marginally bigger boot (at 549 litres), and sacrifices 12mm of rear headroom.
When ID5 production commences, it will compete in a diverse market segment against EVs such as the Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq iV.
How much range and power does the ID5 have?
At launch, the ID5 line-up won’t have the breadth of the ID4, with VW choosing to offer only the larger 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack for the MEB-platformed SUV.
The ID4 will only be available with the larger 77kWh battery pack.
There will be two single-motor options – the less powerful Pro with 128kW/310Nm and a 0-100km/h time of 10.4 seconds; and the Pro Performance with 150kW/310Nm from its single rear motor for a quicker 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds.
Volkswagen has not yet confirmed whether the regular ID5’s lower drag coefficient of 0.26 (the ID4 is 0.28) improves its WLTP range claims.
However, VW says the ID5 GTX – with its more aggressive body styling upping the Cd to 0.27 – benefits from having a sloping roof, and range improves to 500km from 460km in the ID4 GTX.
The GTX will be sold alongside the ID5 with AWD and 220kW.
The dual-motor ID5 GTX offers more performance than the single-motor cars with 220kW/460Nm and a Golf GTI-beating 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
With some running tweaks to the MEB platform, VW has streamlined and increased maximum DC fast-charging speed to 135kW across the ID5 range compared to between 100-126kW for the ID4 range.
The ID5 promises dynamics and safety
The GTX is also likely to get a firmer suspension tune and larger wheel and tyre package to cope with its extra grunt, though VW is yet to confirm these tweaks.
The new touchscreen should make operating the ID5’s myriad functions simpler.
There’s a new ‘electric Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ for the GTX, which is said to ‘network’ the relevant dynamic parameters including the AWD system, ESC, steering weighting and (optional) adaptive dampers.
Volkswagen quotes kerb weights in excess of 2030kg for all ID5 variants, though the low positioning of the battery means the centre of gravity will be considerably lower than in a two-tonne combustion-engined SUV.
Semi-autonomy has become synonymous with high-tech and Volkswagen has been sure to include the usual adaptive cruise control, self-parking and auto lane-change on top of forward and reverse AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Production is slated to start at Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant in early 2022 with European pre-sales starting in a few weeks and customer deliveries to begin during the third quarter of next year.
