Are you ready for Voltswagen?
That was the headline of their April Fools prank. With VW committing to an electric future, we were happy to see lesser blogs take the bait and even host their bogus new logo. While this was happening, a new electric ID.4 left Manhattan bound for Redondo Beach.
High-voltage transcontinental races are trying hard to replicate the route made famous by Ed Bolian and Gas Monkey Garage, even if the recharging times are not as quick as a pit stop. Nevertheless, the VW team took in the sights across 6,700 miles, stopping 32 times at the VW/Porsche/Audi-owned Electrify America charging stations. Yes, the VW group has peppered the lower 48 with a network of high-voltage stations, and they hope to have 800 locations for a combined 3,500 spots by the end of the year. It will be a nice respite for the upcoming electric Bugatti.
If you need a capable crossover, the ID.4 arrives with an 82 kWh battery that offers 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the 2024 Hummer EV has 50x more torque at the ground. It shares the same electrical architecture with the Audi e-tron and the Porsche Taycan with a more affordable price based on having a fraction of the power. It makes up for the lack of oomph with an impressive range of 250 miles, and thanks to their chargers being everywhere it will make for a fun and affordable road trip. The future is here!
Images (C) Volkswagen