In the past, there was always a saying in the automotive industry: "Volkswagen research Chinese, Toyota research Volkswagen." Indeed, since the introduction of domestic production through joint ventures in the 1980s, Volkswagen has witnessed The take-off process since China's reform and opening up. In the past 40 years of development, Volkswagen has brought us many classic products, from jetta king to Passat B5, behind each "explosive" model, volkswagen is an accurate measurement of the consumer psychology of the Chinese people.
Nowadays, driven by the mainland's "carbon neutrality" and "carbon peak" policies, the automotive industry has begun to enter an unprecedented electrification and intelligent reform, and new energy has become the ultimate guide of the entire market. In order to complete the brand transformation, Volkswagen officially launched its pure electric series - ID family in 2021, and in only one year, it successively unveiled three blockbuster models such as ID.3, ID.4 and ID.6 specially built for the Chinese market.
So, as a classic veteran car company, can Volkswagen turn the tide in this reform and once again "pinch" Chinese critical vision? Xiaobian also conducted an in-depth test drive of saic-Volkswagen ID.4X recently, revealing the merits and names behind Volkswagen's electrification transformation.
A revolutionary product
In 2019, Volkswagen, known for its modular car manufacturing, officially completed the research and development of its MEB platform, and in less than a year, it has successively unveiled a number of pure electric concept cars based on the platform such as ID.CROZZ and ID.VIZZION. As the world's first modular car architecture designed for new energy vehicles, the MEB platform can be said to have a very far-reaching impact on the design of ID.4X.
First of all, in terms of structural layout, compared with Volkswagen's traditional fuel models in the past, ID.4X has a larger body, with an overall size of 4612mm*1852mm*1640mm, and on the basis of platformization, a more practical "long shaft short suspension" layout is adopted. In addition to bringing more space to the car, such a design can also place a larger capacity power battery after the front and rear axles are stretched to further improve the level of endurance.
The front part of the car is largely restored to the shape of the concept car, and the closed grille does not appear monotonous on the ID.4X. The layered front lip and front curve create a unique sense of heaviness, while the combination of the upper through-LED daytime running lights and illuminated logos highlights the strong sense of the future.
ID.4X's unique IQ.LIGHT headlights also come from the MEB platform, and the human "eyeball" design is very pleasing. And built-in 11 LED light source, under the blessing of the sensor, can achieve "light source avoidance" at night, in the convergence of 4 to 5 LED modules turned off, so that the high beam illumination range avoids the opposite vehicle, further improve the safety of night driving.
The design of the side of the vehicle is slightly "bloated", but the proportions are just right. The Volkswagen ID family's exclusive chrome trim has been extended from the A-pillar through the roof to the rear, and this "finishing touch" shape makes the ID.4X's side face look more slender. At the same time, in order to reduce the wind resistance, the new car also adopts an integrated door handle, built-in tactile switch, just a light buckle can open the door, and this process is not effortless.
Id.4X was roughly divided into several categories such as Pure, Pro and four-wheel drive versions when it was launched, and the test drive this time was the Pro extreme long endurance version priced at 236,000 yuan, so it was also engraved with an identity logo at saic-Volkswagen at the fenders. The design that connects with the waist line is also more beautiful.
The shape of the tail is relatively simple, but it is also layered. The taillights use a large number of LED light sources, and under the overlapping effect, they exude a strong "digital" style. Of course, in order to echo the design of the front face, the taillights also use a highly recognizable through-line shape and illuminated logo, which is particularly conspicuous when lit.
"Minimalism" from the Germanic peoples
Speaking of German cars, I believe that in the eyes of most people, it is both rigorous and cumbersome. Because in the meticulous genes of the Germans, every function of the car will be very clearly divided, and the operation logic is also very organized. Therefore, in the past Volkswagen traditional fuel vehicles, you will see a lot of physical buttons, and even many functions that are not commonly used will be equipped with a button.
However, on the road of electrification and intelligent transformation, Volkswagen's designers are also constantly trying to "do subtraction" and constantly break through the boundaries of the past. In order to meet the market demand, ID.4X adopts a more minimalist design concept in the interior, and the entire center console only has a 12-inch LCD display, which looks very avant-garde. At the same time, the through-through modeling can also see the more rational side of id.4X.
The new three-frame steering wheel is already familiar to us, the overall size is slightly larger, and the steering feel is a bit thick. At the three and nine o'clock positions, ID.4X also cancels the traditional physical buttons, replaced by two haptic switches, which control the two modules of multimedia and cruise control, and will also trigger vibration feedback when pressed. However, from the actual experience, the physical buttons may be more convenient for blind exercises during driving.
Not only the steering wheel, but even the headlight control on the driver's left side has been replaced by a haptic switch, which can switch light modes with just a gentle press. And this touch operation logic has also been used to the extreme by designers, but Xiaobian still misses the traditional knob headlight switch of the public.
The 12-inch LCD display integrates most of the functional controls, from air conditioning to vehicle modes to in-vehicle multimedia. At the same time, in terms of touch and sensitivity, they have shown a relatively superior level, and the operation is very silky.
But the old problem of germans being too cautious doesn't seem to have completely disappeared. The secondary interface of the screen is a bit too cumbersome, each functional block is divided into orderly, and this also makes a very simple function will also let you find half a day, the first operation is not so easy to get started.
Unlike most new energy vehicles on the market, the ID.4X's LCD meter is only 5.3 inches and is directly mounted on the steering column shell. However, the information displayed is still very comprehensive, and conventional data such as speed, power, and mileage can also be seen at a glance. Some factors that are not commonly used, such as the total mileage of the vehicle or the power consumption of 100 kilometers, should be looked for in the central control screen.
It is worth mentioning that the ID.4X of the test drive is equipped with an augmented reality head-up display function, in the case of navigation turned on, it will project a blue arrow at the front windshield at the intersection or place that needs attention, prompting the user to go in the direction, the 3D stereoscopic display effect is very shocking, and for the "road idiot" driver, this is definitely a blessing.
Perhaps inheriting the "mantle" of Audi, the SAIC Volkswagen ID.4X's center console is surrounded by two circles of ambient lights, and nearly 100 color styles are available for customization. Against the backdrop of the through-line shape, it is more luxurious.
In terms of ride experience, due to the large overall size of the Volkswagen ID.4X, designers can "dominate" the space inside the car without worrying too much about limitations and other issues. This also makes the front and rear seats of the ID.4X very wide, with a feeling of an old-fashioned American luxury car. In addition, although the test drive is a medium-sized model, it is still equipped with a large number of turned-out materials at the seat cushion, which gives people a more luxurious texture.
Arrogant and impatient, a "gentleman" running on the road
For many old car owners, the most impressive thing about Volkswagen is nothing more than steady handling. Although the Volkswagen ID.4X is a brand new product, it also inherits the family's consistent history, and the curb weight of more than 2 tons makes the ID.4X a "big man" in the same class.
From the power data point of view, the ID.4X 2021 PRO extreme long endurance version of the test drive does not use a four-wheel drive structure, but is equipped with a more traditional permanent magnet synchronous rear-drive motor, with a total power of 150 kilowatts and a peak torque of 310 Nm. In addition, as the longest range version of the entire series, it is equipped with a ternary lithium-powered battery with a total capacity of 83.4 kWh, which can bring 555 km of endurance.
The ID.4X feels very smooth in terms of driving experience, with four 20-inch Goodyear tires bringing a good mute effect to the vehicle, coupled with the excellent sound insulation control of the cockpit, giving people a very high-end driving experience. The "buzzing" sound issued by the vehicle at low speed also makes the ID.4X magical like a sci-fi car in a movie. Walking on the road, you can clearly feel the difference between id.4X and other vehicles, and even occasionally attract the attention of passers-by.
When it comes to torque control, the ID.4X also feels linear, with plenty of power reserves in the initial stages making it hard to notice that it's a pure electric vehicle with a net weight of 2.1 tons. Despite the peak torque of 310 Nm, the steady handling is also in line with the impression that Volkswagen has always given.
In addition, the ID.4X does not seem to be limited by the body and wheelbase, and the control is still dexterous when cornering. According to the official data released by SAIC Volkswagen, the steering radius of the ID.4X is only 5.2 meters, which is smaller than the Volkswagen POLO on sale, which also means that the ID.4X can easily make a U-turn on any city road.
Finally, the ID.4X of the test drive did not carry advanced radar systems and advanced driver assistance accessories like Xiaopeng and Weilai, which also made the automation level of ID.4X only stay in the most basic level such as lane keeping and adaptive cruise. However, according to the information previously revealed by SAIC Volkswagen insiders, the engineers of Volkswagen's MEB platform are gradually improving the automation program of the ID series, and it is expected to achieve the goal of L2 level or smarter advanced assisted driving within 2022.
Auto Network Review: The serious Volkswagen is impressive
In the past, the vigorous development of internal combustion engine products has brought a lot of prestige to Volkswagen, and under the call of market electrification and intelligent reform, the joint venture brand has also encountered unprecedented challenges. Therefore, many people believe that the prevalence of new energy has weakened the advantages accumulated by traditional car companies in the past hundred years.
However, when there is pressure, it will use motivation. Under the influence of pure electric travel, Volkswagen still shows the strength and heritage of a century-old brand. Although the ID.4X of this test drive cannot be compared with the new forces of car manufacturing in terms of research and development concept, the larger interior space, more comfortable driving texture and 200,000-level positioning, Volkswagen has once again captured the picky "appetite" of Chinese consumers.