We will drive for you at the end of this year the latest Qashqai, and look forward to have a go next year at their new (EV powered) products; In the meantime, there is some interesting Nissan news.
Did you know that by 2026, this is merely within some four years, more than 75% of all Nissan passenger cars sold in Europe will be electrified?
Nissans “CHILL OUT” concept foreshadows the future 100% electric crossover to be built in Sunderland, and there is a new battery recycling facility planned in Europe…
Just read further!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Unveiled the Nissan Ambition 2030, the brand’s new long-term strategy that goes beyond mobility.
Earlier this year, Nissan launched the EV36Zero concept, the world’s first fully integrated EV production ecosystem, which connects mobility and energy management to help achieve carbon neutrality for Nissan. The future hub is centered around the production facility in Sunderland, UK, and will include the production of an EV, a new giga production facility and use of 100% renewable electricity. Initially, £1 billion will be invested.
The AMIEO Region, centered on the EV36Zero, will play a leading role in realizing the “Ambition 2030” vision, which will help Nissan achieve carbon neutrality across the entire lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050. Here are some key points:
By the end of fiscal 2023, Nissan will offer electrified versions of all models offered in Europe, and by fiscal 2026, more than 75% of all Nissans sold are expected to be electrified.
The now-unveiled CHILL OUT crossover concept, as announced in Sunderland in July as part of the EV36Zero project, uses the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF-EV platform to deliver the European handling and performance customers expect. The model has a sleek and modern design, is both attractive and aerodynamically optimized, fun-to-drive, has advanced safety technologies and has a practical and comfortable interior, according to Nissan.
Nissan plans to expand battery recycling and reuse facilities outside of Japan with a new location in Europe during fiscal year 2022. This infrastructure will support a circular economy for energy management. Nissan plans to fully market its ‘vehicle-to-everything’ and ‘home battery’ systems in the coming years.
Building on the success of the Nissan LEAF, Nissan will soon introduce innovative e-POWER technology in the all-new Qashqai and X-Trail. With the 100% electric crossover Ariya and the future all-electric Townstar Van on the way, an electrified European model program is in the works.
‘In the past period, Europe has been leading in the transition to electrification. Our goal for the next decade is to accelerate this development, with new products and technologies that will enhance the driving experience for Nissan’s customers,” said Guillaume Cartier, President of Nissan AMIEO Region.
Not only will we be offering an electrified version of every Nissan model in Europe, our 360-degree vision of sustainable mobility also means using 100% renewable electricity in our EV Hub in the UK. New battery recycling and reuse facilities will also be built in Europe.
To spearhead the transition to full electrification and carbon neutrality, our teams and products in Europe will serve as a source of information and support for our plans for electrified cars in the rest of the AMIEO Region and other markets.”
Bold new plans… we will report on them regularly as they unfold!
Alongside the E-powered Berlingo, we also had our first drive in the electric version of the C4 in the scenic surroundings of Paris. To tell you right away, with this velvety smooth e-power, the C4 really comes into its own. You get the impression, only after a few kilometers behind the wheel, that this car is actually built for this.
Because, as we told you already in our test of the C4 diesel, this car is all about superb comfort. Add to this the refinement of the electric drive, and subjectively, a sort of noble Rolls Royce feeling invades you.
Indeed, the progressive hydraulic cushions, like we explained, irons out the road ahead for you. Meanwhile, you sink with a smile in the advanced comfort seats. They give you just the right amount of support and comfort to let you almost feel you are in four wheeled superlimousine heaven. The superlight steering still underlines this impression. You can literally steer this C4 with your fingers…
With its 136 HP electric motor, this C4 is indeed meant to let you taste the exquisite joys of just quiet, unhurried motoring. It invites you to do this, but this does not mean that this car is sluggish at all. With 260 Nm of torque always there whenever you need it, it certainly responds eagerly at the slightest movement of your right foot. 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in 9,7 seconds. Top speed is limited wisely to 150 km/h. Add to this the unerring sure footedness of Citroën handling, whatever the road and the weather, and you will agree that it is a very nice experience to be behind the wheel of this car.
We told you here in these columns that due to the heat pump sensor changes and a modified final gearing, the WLTP cycle range is now 357 km.
Charging times are very reasonable indeed; On a 7 kWh wallbox, you can charge the ë-C4 overnight in 7,5 hours. When you are in a hurry, it is good to know that it accepts 100 kW fast charging, and will charge in 30 minutes from 0 to 80 pct charge.
We look forward for a longer test of this smooth goddess of the road soon!
We told you that the ë-C4 shares its platform with the DS3 amongst others, and the E-range improvements are therefore also implemented for the ë-C4.
Indeed, since October, the ë-C4s have benefited from the same technological developments, resulting in an increase of the approved range in the WLTP cycle to 357 km; This represents a longer field range by almost 30 km, depending on the conditions of use.
Manufactures are also helping their fleet customers via software (updates) to optimize the cost management and use of their car fleets.
Therefore, Citroën has been helping its C5 Aircross Plug-In Hybrid customers in France and the United Kingdom with the Plug-in-Reminder system to reduce their fuel consumption and environmental impact by displaying messages on the car’s screen that invite them to charge the car. The ideal time for charging is set by the on-board computer when it registers that the fuel consumption of the car can be optimized based on the number of trips made and the number of times the car has been charged. This system will be extended to Europe in early 2022 and will be fitted in the C5 X. With PHEV Connect, Citroën helps fleet managers manage their plug-in hybrid fleet and optimize their costs. PHEV Connect has been deployed in Europe since March 2021 and already covers more than 7,400 vehicles…
We have not been driving Peugeots and Opels for a (very) long time, and besides bringing you Peugeot and Opel news on a regular basis, we will in the future also test and collect driving impressions of their new models.
Now to the news: the latest technological developments from early 2022 on the 100% electric versions of the new PEUGEOT 208 and 2008 and Opels will deliver up to 25 km and 8% more range according to the WLTP cycle, and even more in practice.
Based on the eCMP (Common Modular Platform), equipped with a 50 kWh battery, a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor and a torque of 260 Nm, these models will – like the DS 3 – also receive the latest technological developments to increase their autonomy.
Talking about the platform, did you know that this is a global subcompact platform jointly used and developed by Groupe PSA and state-owned Chinese automaker Dongfeng?
The DS3 also runs on it, as do the latest Citroën DS4 and the ë-DS4. But also the Opel Mokka and Mokka-e and last but not least the Corsa and the Corsa-e.
2020 Opel Mokka-e
The DS3 is built in Poissy, as are the Opel Mokka’s. As with the DS3, for the 208 and 2008, the tires have been optimized and now have a lower rolling resistance. This concerns amongst others the 16 inch wheels for the PEUGEOT e-208 and the 17 inch wheels for the PEUGEOT e-2008.
The Corsa-e is now good for 359 kilometers, the Mokka-e has an improved range of 338 kilometers.
In addition, the Peugeots and Opels have also the new gearbox ratio, which optimizes further the range on the road and on the highway.
2019 Opel Corsa-e
Finally, they have, like the DS3, also received a new heat pump in combination with a humidity sensor at the top of the windscreen optimizes the energy efficiency of heating and air conditioning.
The improved sensor enables a more precise control the air circulation in the passenger compartment, so it costs less energy to heat up and maintain the temperature in the vehicle. This latest development is particularly noticeable at low outside temperatures.
Early next year we will drive for you the DS4 and the DS9, and we are looking forward to have a taste of French refinement, elegance and panache.
But did you know that thanks to an electrification strategy pursued since its inception, DS Automobiles is the multi-energy brand with the lowest average CO2 emissions in Europe?
Indeed, it registered 100.2 grams CO2 per kilometer per vehicle in the first half of 2021 according to the WLTP cycle. Not surprisingly, as its production mix of electrified cars exceeds a third. This strategy is now only gaining momentum: from 2024, all new DS Automobiles models will be 100% electric only.
The first 100% electric model in the DS range is continuously under further development. The DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, on the market since 2019, now has a range of 340 kilometers according to the combined WLTP cycle, an increase of almost 7%.
During development, the focus has always lied on improving the practical use of the DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE. In particular, the heat pump has been improved through the use of a humidity sensor to improve efficiency. The heat pump, supplied as standard, produces heat by compression to generate warm air. This significantly reduces the need for E-energy.
As a result of continuous development and ongoing discussions with the Formula E championship team, supported by DS Performance, the transmission ratio has also been optimized to improve the efficiency of the DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE.
The hand stitched steering wheel upholstery stands out in an interior full of French panache…
Greater autonomy in real-world use is also achieved through the use of new 17″ class A tires developed by Continental. The Continental EcoContact 6 Q is available in 215/60 R17 96H and has a new high-tech silica compound to improve rolling resistance. improve and reduce noise emissions.
In Belgium, the DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE is available from €38,400 (incl. VAT) with a 100 kW (DC) and 11 kW (AC) charger.
Audi has ambitious plans for further electrification: in 2025, it will have not less than 20 pure EV’s in its model range. Besides the big Audi e-tron Quattro and its Sportback version and the stunning e-tron GT, another pure EV joins the party: the compact SUV Q4, which is also available right away in a stylish Sportback version.
The Q4 comes in two battery and power versions. The base model is the Q4 35 with a 55 kWh battery. Its range is said to be 350 kilometers and it has a 125 kW/170 HP motor driving the rear wheels. We tested for you the Q4 40 which has the 77 kWh battery and the 150 kW/204 HP motor we also find in the VW ID.4.
The Q4 is built… in the VW factory in Zwickau, where also the ID.3 and ID.4 are rolling off the production lines. Only logical if one knows that the Q4 runs on the same MEB platform as the two Volkswagens.
So the Q4 is a dressed up VW? Not at all, the Audi engineers and designers have succeeded in giving the Q4 its unmistakable premium character and Audi identity.
Just read further…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Stylish
The bodywork of the Q4 breathes the timeless Audi styling language, with very good proportions throughout. The front end grille betrays its “pure” EV character, as it is closed. Indeed, electric motors need a lot less cooling.
The dashboard and cabin breathe Audi panache: the instrumentation is directed towards the driver here, rather untypical for a SUV. Bravo for Audi, and they did also very well with the instrument layout: two large dials are seen in front of you, on the digital display which is almost equally as large as the central touchscreen.
The ventilation commands are thankfully also on a separate panel with extra knobs, and also the audio volume knobs are of the rotating touch type as found on the early Apple I pods.
When you opt for the MMI package, you can also enjoy an augmented reality head up display. Our test car came with it and we liked it very much.
In the posh “S line” equipment level of our test car the seat upholstery with its typical cross stitched patters was very pleasing to the eye, and the seats are also very comfortable indeed.
While we are talking about the cabin, we can mention here that also the Q4 offers plenty of room, also for its rear passengers, taking advantage of the good qualities of the MEB platform. This SUV is certainly not compact here…
There is also plenty of room for storage in the interior, a good 24,8 liters. On the central console between the two front seats you have already 4,4 liters at your disposal.
Luggage space is more than adequate with 520 liters, with both rear backrests down you have a maximum of 1490 liters at your disposal, when you use the available space up to the roof.
The charging cables are neatly tucked away under the luggage floor. Only a bit cumbersome to reach them when the boot is fully loaded when on holiday. For the rest of the year it’s very fine.
Dynamic and smooth…
Let’s get behind the wheel now and start driving. As an EV befits, this Audi is again supersmooth. It is “Zen” driving all the way. EV’s are just a delight to drive in town, with their feline power delivery. 310 Nm of torque is at your disposal, always. It makes this Audi beautifully agile and nimble in dense traffic. Stop and go traffic is now for you an ideal moment to relax behind the wheel, and enjoy the beautiful sound coming from the Sonos system we had in our test car.
Performance is of course excellent, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 8,5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 160 km/h, as in the ID.4.
German Autobahn aficionados would like this to be more, but then we would not speak of a useable range anymore.
When it comes to range, your driving style is here of paramount importance. You see it clearly on the photo showing the instrumentation: when collecting our test car, we drove it gently to the motorway, where we drove a constant 95 km/h, just a bit faster than the trucks, to reach our photo spot. Consumption was then a very reasonable 15,2 kWh/100 km, over 19,6 km at an average speed of 42 km/h.
A cold start in the morning, with heater full ablaze and just some slow stop and go traffic paints another picture. There the consumption over 5,4 km was a whopping 43,6 kWh. The following photo tells the story.
When we take the WLTP consumption as the norm, being 19,3 kWh, then the effective range would be 530 km. In practice, you can expect a useable range of a good 400 km.
There are different driving modes on the Audi, one of them being the “Range” mode. It limits power and sets a maximum speed of 90 km/h.
Charging at the home wallbox is possible up to 11 kWh, and on public charging points you can “fast charge” your Audi at not less than 125 kWh. Then it takes only 10 minutes to add an extra of 130 km to your range.
Practice in our country is of course rather different to say the least. 98 % of our existing condominium and apartment buildings have NO wallbox provisions in their underground garages, not even electricity sockets in many cases, limiting possibilities of enjoying EV propulsion greatly.
My nearest public charging point is about 1 kilometre away, and this is not a “fast” charging point. Allowed time for charging is also limited to 3,5 hours. Belgian municipalities – at least those near Antwerp – have still to wake up to reality that the charging points have TWO sockets and can actually charge two cars simultaneously. The square they paint on the pavement actually is clearly meant for ONE car. Users of the charging point are so kind and gentlemen-like to ignore this, so your servant could charge the Q4 too, as the following photo shows, which leaves one certainly perplex…
Driving the Q4 to Knokke, we found no unoccupied charging points within a reasonable walking distance from the place we stayed, so the next day we used the “Range” Driving mode to get us home again. It was a magnificent and leisurely drive…
Car manufacturers are certainly not to blame here. Their products increasingly offer useable ranges, and we could easily plan a longer route on the Audi, where the touchscreen clearly indicated which charging points en route we could use, how long we had to charge, which were open, etc.
Of course, providers are working hard to change the situation. At the moment of writing, IONITY is invetsing 700 million € for 5.000 extra HPC charging points in Europe.
Comfortable and agile
Besides room of its occupants, the Audi Q4 also offers a genuinely comfortable ride and steering is also precise and engaging. Audi’s are build to deliver driving pleasure, and this is also found in this Q4. A well balanced car, certainly making the very best of what the MEB platform has to offer. The same goes for the brakes, which can be well dosed to come to a smooth stop.
We also mention here the “coasting function”. When one hasn’t chosen the “B” mode, the Audi will just coast along when you lift the throttle, and this adds greatly to the “Zen” driving pleasure, once you have mastered the art of anticipative driving.
Of course you can recuperate energy when decelerating, or you can leave everything to the wisdom of this Q4. Indeed, you can put the Predictive Energy Assistant at work, which will interpret road signs and navigation data. Then the system will calculate for you continuously the right balance between sailing and energy recuperation, no less!
Conclusion
Audi has succeeded in designing and building a magnificent compact EV on the MEB platform. A car with impeccable finish, oozing with style, panache, good comfort and handling, very good range and performance, and on top of all that roomy too.
Of course this has a price tag, but it is a timelessly styled premium car, one of the very best which ever rolled of VW production lines.
The Kia Niro is already a few years amongst us, first electrified as hybrid, then plug-in hybrid, and finally as a “pure” EV.
The competition has become a lot stronger since its introduction, notably with newcomers as the Volkswagen ID.3, the Peugeot 2008 and the Citroën ë-C4, but this Kia still has a lot of qualities which make it still earn very well an excellent place its segment. Of course, Kia is ready for this competition, and at the moment of this test going to press, it presents a completely new version of the Niro at the Seoul motor show, but the present model is still relevant enough to put it through its paces for you here.
We should also not forget that this Kia EV with its 64 kW battery set the trend towards longer ranges: according to the WLTP norm, it is still good for 455 km…and on top of that, it offers very good value for money, with a 7 year guarantee!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
The Kia Niro still has very pleasing and now already familiar looks, with some specific blue coloured accents for the EV version. The front end clearly shows its EV character, and also the flap of the charging sockets is clearly visible. The cabin is well laid out, with classic disposition of instrumentation, commands and central touchscreen, so indeed one would hardly suspect sitting in an EV vehicle. This is all for the better, as one is very soon familiarised in using and driving this Niro.
The display in front of you clearly indicates of course battery status and range, as well as the immediate or average consumption in KW/h. Soon one notices that this 150 kW or 204 HP Kia is quite frugal, where your driving style is of prime importance of course.
The manufacturer quotes 15,9 kW/h according to the overall quite realistic WLTP cycle. We took the test car on a lengthy trip to Holland, using the ECO mode throughout, and easily achieved an average of 17 kW/h.
It was delicious to be able to make this trip without the usual range anxiety, and on top of that to find plenty of public charging points in the Netherlands, not even 50 meters away from the house of the family member where we stayed over the weekend. All in all, in this ECO mode, a range of over 400 kilometers is even in more wintry conditions easily achievable when adopting a normal driving style.
Having said this, EV cars have decidedly come of age with our northern neighbours, where the e-Niro has been the top selling car in 2020 by the way…
Smoothness combined with power…
As a pure EV befits, “Zen” like feline and vibrationless power is for you to enjoy here. On the centre console is a familiar circular knob which lets you choose between drive and reverse, as we have seen in Jaguars and Land Rovers.
Off you go, and indeed, this Kia has under the hood what it takes. The front wheels are driven, and will pull you from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 7,8 seconds, which is no small feat as one knows that the kerb weight of the e-Niro is 1712 kg. Top speed is a very creditable 167 km/h. So performance wise, one is rather spoiled too, besides of course the uncanny smoothness and silence of the drivetrain.
There are paddles at the steering wheel column which let you choose the amount of regenerative braking, so “one pedal” driving is easy to achieve.
On the technical side, let us tell you here that our test car was equipped with the lithium-polymer 64 kW/h battery and that the permanent magnet synchronous motor has a power of 150 kW/204 HP and 395 Nm of torque.
For home charging, one is of course well advised to install a three-phase wallbox. With the optional three phase onboard charger, you can be fully charged in some 4,5 hours.
Roomy and practical
The e-Niro is quite roomy, with sufficient legroom also for taller passengers in the rear, with standard luggage space being a good 451 and 1405 liters.
With the rear cover in place, the volume is reduced to 280 and 1175 liters respectively. In the cabin, there is enough storage room in the central console and beneath the central armrest as well as the door bins. As we said, using infotainment and all the commands for heating/airco/ventilation is intuitive, and we also used the voice command to good effect for navigation amongst other things.
Safe handling
The e-Niro will not exactly invite you to throw it around corners, but its handling is fine to say the least. Sudden steering wheel movements will be met with initial understeer, with well controlled oversteer by the ESP when you lift the throttle. This e-Niro will not lean unduly in fast corners, has good straight line stability and is comfortable too.
Conclusion
The present e-Niro with its attractive range is still very much a desirable EV, combining excellent performance with low E-consumption. Add to this the good value for money considering the space and equipment found, with last but not least the 7-year warranty. You will agree that this EV-range trendsetter which will accompany you for many years in to wonderful “Zen” world of EV motoring and mobility.
We drove the ë-Berlingo in the scenic surroundings of the Domaine des Maffliers, near Paris…
Electrification is now also expanding to commercial vehicles and popular minivans and family carriers like the Berlingo. We sat for a few hours behind the wheel of this spacious and endearing Citroën to enjoy all the delicious “Zen” refinements brought by electric propulsion, which totally transformed the driving experience of this Berlingo.
The Citroën PR and marketing team had carefully chosen a very scenic route around and in the woods of the Domaine des Maffliers, in the neighborhood of Paris. An excellent environment to get a taste the velvety power of its electric motor, to enjoy the seating and suspension comfort of this Berlingo.
We first tested the M version, which is 4,4 meters short, and thereafter the 4,75 meter “long” version. Suspension comfort and handling is virtually the same in both versions, and the EV drivetrain is identical. But then even more space is to be found in the “long” version, which can seat comfortably up to seven people.
Along the scenic villages near Paris with the “long” version…
A smooth performer…
The silence and utter smoothness of the electric motor totally transforms the driving experience. With its very comfortable suspension, one has the distinct feeling of sitting behind the wheel of a top class limousine, helped by the comfortable central armrest which supports your right arm and elbow, which has the only task to select the proper driving mode on the central selector.
But let us first tell you a bit more about the drivetrain. Citroën selected a 100 kW or 136 HP electric motor, fed by a 50 kW/h battery. Torque is sufficiently ample with 280 Nm. Top speed is limited to 135 km/h.
The driver has the choice between three driving modes, activated with a special so-called ë-toggle.
Comfortable simplicity: ë-toggle on the right for the drive modes, selector in the middle for reverse and drive, knobs for “P” and “B” to the left…
First, there is the so-called Normal mode, where the motor develops 80 kW/210 Nm, striking a good compromise between performance and economy. Then comes the Eco mode, with 60 kW/180 Nm, still quite sufficient in terms of liveliness we found, which gets you further on a full charge. According to WLTP, the range is then a good 280 kilometers. You also have to settle for reduced heating or airco power, but this remains still within comfortable limits. Finally there is the power mode, where the full 100 kW is at your disposal. Interesting of course when the Berlingo is heavily loaded, and/or you are driving in hilly or mountainous areas.
Simplicity is truth…
Of course there is also a “B” knob on the centre console, which lets you recuperate energy when you lift the throttle, and gives that “one pedal” driving opportunity when you adopt an anticipatory driving style, which you learn soon enough…
Spacious…
The battery pack sits snugly on the floor of the Berlingo, so the charging volume is not impaired at all. The M version has 775 liters luggage space, the XL version in 5 seat configuration brings this to a whopping 1050 liters.
The ë-Berlingo proudly wears its badge…
The cabin boasts a further 167 liters of storage space, so this Berlingo makes you truly feel at home. This is a car which makes family life really easy…
… and easy charging
The practicality of a fully fledged EV stands or falls with the charging facilities, and we all know that the public charging situation in Belgium is nothing short of abysmal. Home or office charging is the answer for the time being, and here Citroën offers for its Berlingo plenty of opportunities.
Home charging can be done with the so-called Mode 2 cable, which is compatible with an 8A and/or 16 Amp socket. For fast chargers, both public or private, one needs an optional Mode 3 cable. This allows you to charge from 0 to 100 % in 7,5 hours if you have a single phase 7,5 kW wallbox. This is reduced to 5 hours if you have a three phase 11 kW wallbox.
Super fast charging is possible at public charging points up to 100 kW, and there one needs a mode 4 cable which is integrated in the charger. It then takes merely 30 minutes to charge the 50 kW battery up to 80 %.
The Berlingo leaves you the choice between three connected packages, connect assist, connect nav and connect play.
In the basic assist package you can get connected with a call center in case of emergency or accident, and via the My Citroën App you can be informed about range, charging status, mileage, next service, etc.
In the nav package, you can use voice command/recognition for interaction with the phone, navigation and radio functions. TomTomTraffic displays for you the best route under up to date traffic conditions.
The connect play feature sports Mirror Screen technology, compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto.
Conclusion
Electrification is not an empty word at Citroën anymore…
The electric propulsion completely transforms the driving experience with this Berlingo, and this refined upper class panache makes this family friendly space car even more endearing and desirable. But not only for the family man. Every craftsman or public/private services worker/small entrepreneur who works in urban spaces will just love this EV version, which will be a soothing companion in his daily work life. After a stint behind the wheel, you will indeed wonder how we fared for decades without this full EV enjoyment and “Zen” progress…
Note that at this Citroën ë-experience day we also drove the full EV version of the C4. More about our driving impressions soon…
With this ID.4, Volkswagen is taking another bold step forward: it is building an SUV which will be offered worldwide, notably built and sold in China, the US and Europe. For us here, it is produced in Zwickau. It is the second model to use the celebrated MEB platform, the EV platform which is also sold to Ford. The car embodies a quite important if not formidable step for VW, where every aspect of this car has to please many customers, all over our globe.
We drove the so-called “Pro” version, with the 77 kW battery, about 500 km range, 204 HP or 150 kW, and lively performance. It certainly did please us, and this pleasant impression got better the longer we drove it. Just read on…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Friendly and harmonious looks
Stylists of a world car have no easy task. It looks that they have succeeded though. Just know that the ID.4 has recently been singled out for the “2021 World Car of the Year” award. When we approached the ID.4 and walked around it, our eyes meet iconic, timeless and pleasing shapes. Lines and contours with character, evoking exactly what this car wants to be: a family-friendly roomy SUV, which will accompany its owner with style for years to come. The rounded styling language is never aggressive, the front end is clean, not without elegance, has a timeless touch. The proportions are well chosen, look just right from every angle, also the big wheels with their aerodynamic alloys add panache to this SUV. We took some photos close to the runway of Zaventem airport, so the flatness of the empty landscape adds to the clean lines of this ID.4.
The same simplicity and clean lines are found in the interior and the dashboard layout and instrumentation. It is very similar to the ID.3, with an instrument cluster forming one unit with steering column and steering wheel, and a large touch screen in the centre of the dashboard. Its driver assistance and infotainment system is everything you could wish for. Of course you have to familiarize yourself with its controls, so we suggest you to read the instruction book carefully.
Reading the instructions is the proper thing to do when you buy a car of this refinement, engineering excellence and build quality. It is by the way ALWAYS the thing to do when you purchase any car, actually. Also, remember, there is YouTube. Many VW car dealers have a film made for you, so-called instruction films, where you can see and hear the workings of every accessory and functionality.
In our test car, suffice to say the diagonal size of the touch display was 10 inches, and it is good to know that natural voice control with an online connection and the ID. Light come as standard. You will not read any critique here about the workings of any of the functions of the ID.4, it takes getting used to, and even a week can be too short for this to have everything intuitively in its fingers.
I always keep in mind that the owner or user of this car will be behind the wheel of this VW for months, if not years, and will have familiarized him (her) with every function, that is if he (she) was not too lazy to read about it in the manual or try it out. I mentioned ID. Light. It is a light strip below the windscreen, and tells you when to take a left or right turn, when it has understood a voice message from you, after you said first “Hello ID.” Indeed, the future has arrived in this car.
The driver uses the central display to manage the telephone system, navigation system, entertainment functions, assist systems and the vehicle setup. Sliders for volume and temperature adjustment are located below the display. Clean and purposeful.
Daily life with the ID.4 has become simple. Just step in, push the brake pedal and select “D”. Off you go. On the right side of the steering column is a big switch which you have to turn towards or from you, to select D, B or Reverse. At the end of this switch us a big knob “P”. Just push it and the parking brake is on.
With “D” you drive normally, with “B” the electric motor regenerates energy when you lift the throttle. It will decelerate the car of course. When you are a master in anticipative driving, remain in “D”, you can coast then almost forever. Using kinetic energy by just coasting is still the most efficient, albeit the most difficult thing to do as you have REALLY to anticipate traffic situations.
“Zen” driving…
The biggest advantage of EV’s, I find personally, is their supersmooth progress. Gone is the so disturbing jerkiness of sticky transmissions and unwilling cold engines. So the ID.4 is also a very soothing vehicle. Silent, vibrationless, with smooth feline power thanks to its impressive torque. 310 Nm if it. Good enough to take this rather heavy ID.4 from standstill to a speed of 100 km/h in 8,5 seconds. Almost pushing your back firmly in the seat. Almost, but remember, this is meant to be a family car. Top speed is limited to 160 km/h. It is also a towing vehicle. Up to 1,000 kg in our test car’s configuration.
The suspension is rather firm, but not uncomfortable. The laws of physics command some firmness as there is a good 500 kg of batteries in the platform underneath the seats. The electric 150 kW motor sits above the rear axle and drives the rear wheels. The advantage is that it allows a small turning circle of just 10.2 metres. Rear wheel drive then, but do not expect to make any power slides. Steering is precise and handling is quite good, even on the rather sporting side.
The WLTP range with the 77 kW battery is according to the manufacturer up to 522 km. There is no secret. Using kW/h costs range. If you cruise at say 85 km/h on the motorway (the truck drivers won’t like this and disturb your “Zen” progress) everything is fine. In winter, and/or when driving faster, the practical range can be estimated as being a good 360-380 kilometers, which is still quite OK. At a DC quick-charging station, the ID.4 with its 77 kWh battery and a charging capacity of 125 kW can be recharged ready for the next 320 km in around 30 minutes (according to WLTP).
Roomy
The VW engineers and stylists have kept one thing firmly in mind: this is a family SUV. So indeed, it offers room which is actually that of a SUV which belongs to a class higher. Ample legroom in the rear, (similar to the Tiguan Allspace), three passengers can sit easily, and even tall drivers do not touch the roof when they put their seat in the highest position. Need we say more? Suffice to say that the wheelbase is a good 2766 millimeters.
The ID.4 has also lots of room in the front centre console, as there is no gearchange lever to disturb things. The luggage space is also impressive: 543 litres of luggage, a figure that increases to 1,575 litres after folding down the backrests (loaded to roof height).
And comfortably equipped
Standard features in all ID.4 models include the ten-colour ambient lighting, the speed limiter and Air Care Climatronic. This is coupled with an electric stationary air conditioning system, which can also be activated when the car is not charging from the mains power grid. Life is good with the ID.4.
All nine ID.4 models are equipped with the Discover Pro navigation system and 10-inch display as standard. All models above the ID.4 City and ID.4 Life come with the Infotainment package. (We tested the “Pro” version.) Its highlights include the Comfort mobile phone interface, which is able to connect a smartphone to the vehicle’s electronic system and charge it inductively. The standard App-Connect function enables media to be streamed via a smartphone, which can be embedded in its native environment using Android Auto, Apple Car Play and Mirror Link. In the Infotainment Plus package (which comes with the ID.4 Tech and ID.4 Max), the navigation system has a 12-inch display.
The ID.4 is equipped with the lane keeping system Lane Assist as standard. Front Assist monitors the area in front of the vehicle and responds with warnings and braking interventions to warn the driver of impending collisions with other road users. The acoustic Park Distance Control function is able to avoid parking collisions or reduce the level of damage using the automatic manoeuvre braking function. The speed limiter is also included in the ID.4’s standard equipment.
Another technology that every ID.4 has on board is called Car2X, which allows the car to exchange information about local hazards with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure – via the wireless standard WLAN p. The maximum distance here is 800 metres, with warning transmission taking only milliseconds. Car2X is currently active from a speed of 80 km/h, but is also intended to improve safety and traffic flow in urban traffic in the future.
Conclusion
A very able, roomy and stylish compact SUV and a marvelous EV, that’s what this ID.4 essentially is. It is a true Volkswagen, setting standards in timeless modernity, embodying purposeful and clever engineering.
Add to this the know-how of a world manufacturer, the vast dealer network, you will agree that this new generation VW EV have a lot going for it. It ranks already in some countries where the charging infrastructure is decent among the bestsellers, so this ID.4 has a bright future ahead, electrifying the world…
Subaru is deservedly famous for its excellent engineering. It embraces 4WD and boxer engine technology, and sticks to it with an uncanny sense of tradition. Rightly so.
Comes of course the EV age, and Subaru makes with the e-Boxer range it first steps into this world. The e-Boxer drivetrain can best be described as a self-charging hybrid. It does the job, whilst retaining its unique Subaru character: the willing boxer engine, the excellent off-road capabilities, the well balanced and inspiring handling on tarmac, it is all still there.
We tested already the 2020 XV e-Boxer, just read our previous test report on these columns. We find our positive findings confirmed, and focus here also on the main topics of the facelift…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Bolder looks
The compact crossover has now a modified front, with an even tougher look. The front bumper was redesigned with a larger black plastic part, a new skid plate and L-shaped silver-grey inserts. The fog lamps received a new frame and the grille was tightened with a new mesh. The crossbar in the grille itself is now slightly wider, making the Subaru logo larger and more prominently visible. Finally, the design of the 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels has been revised.
The drivetrain becomes even more sophisticated
Let’s first look at the drivetrain, which it has of course in common with the other e-Boxer models in the Subaru range. The redesigned 2 litre boxer engine is coupled to a 12.3kW electric motor sitting on the CVT transmission and small 13.5kWh battery, and as we said, Subaru calls it a self-charging hybrid. Modest beginnings, but on the other hand this adds only some 167 kilo to the scale.
Does it work? Yes, it certainly does, that is if you hone your driving style, so the hybrid can function optimally. We indicated this already in our previous test report, and we can only repeat it here.
It will run on the electric motor at lower speeds, for shorter distances. The trick is to accelerate slowly and keep constant speeds in urban traffic. These driving conditions which will not prompt the boxer engine to set in, but let the 17 HP electric motor do its work as much as possible.
The CVT transmission will also choose higher ratio’s when you keep the throttle openings small. The result is lower revs, which will keep consumption very reasonable. Subaru did some very good detail work in setting up the CVT transmission, added an “Intelligent” setting which is ideal for constant speed boulevard drives and keeps revs close to 1000 rpm or so when touring in 30 km limit areas.
All this lets consumption drop to between 7 and 6.5 l/100 km even in tight urban driving conditions. All this also happens with uncanny smoothness, and this Subaru is a very refined automobile indeed.
As said, Subaru added with the facelift the so-called “I-Drive” as standard. The system has two settings, Sport (S) and Intelligent (I), each with their own character: thanks to the smooth power delivery, Intelligent mode is ideal for city driving, for long distances and for driving as efficiently as possible. Indeed, this setting keeps the revs down as much as possible. The Sport mode is a highly responsive mode and is well suited to all-round conditions thanks to its instant acceleration.
Of course in this Sport mode you cannot bend the laws of physics, and when the willing boxer engine delivers its 150 HP pulling power, the fuel consumption goes invariably up.
The manufacturer quotes 6,5 l/100 km as average consumption and mentions CO2 emissions of some 149 g/km. Performance is everything you could ever wish for: 0 to 100 km in 10,7 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h.
Precise and inviting handling, on and off-road…
The Subaru XV runs on its new Global Platform, which delivers more safety and stiffness, as we said before, resulting in very good handling, and this XV is a pleasure to drive on winding stretches. Suspension comfort is also very good, both on tarmac as on (very) rough terrain. When it comes to safety, it is good to know that the XV has been awarded the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Subaru’s Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive constantly shifts power to the wheels with the most traction, and the XV has not less than 220 mm ground clearance.
With X-MODE with Hill Descent Control, you negotiate steep inclines and descents as an expert. At the push of a button, it takes command of the engine, transmission, Symmetrical AWD, brakes and other components to help you navigate challenging terrain. Here the facelift has made things even better. Subaru also optimized this X-MODE. It is now equipped with a dual function that allows the driver to choose between “Snow / Dirt” and “Deep Snow / Mud”. X-MODE takes advantage of the high torque and fast response of the motor to prevent stalling in extremely poor surfaces
Living with the XV
The seating position is also very good, with fine, supportive seats.
We liked already in the previous test the dashboard layout and clear, the fine chrome finished round dials, which evoke a bit of pur-sang atmosphere which we like so much. Connectivity and driving aids are up to scratch, not to mention Subaru’s unique EyeSight.
This keeps you on a safe distance to cars in front of you, avoids front end collisions with cars and detects pedestrians in front of you. Of course infotainment is also top notch, with Android Auto and Google CarPlay provided for ideal connectivity.
Conclusion
Every bit a Subaru, this e-Boxer. But, if you drive it with intelligence, it will reward you with very interesting consumption figures. Subaru will soon have a full electric vehicle, so they also go up that path. In the meantime, in the remote outback, this is your ideal car to hit all the country roads in an electrified and environmentally conscious manner…
