 The Autoweek Dispatch: Volkswagen Is Set to Take ID.4 Reservations Production-version EV is coming in a couple of weeks. BY WES RAYNAL The teasing and spy art and rumors are behind us. VW's ID.4 is going to be revealed in a couple of weeks and the company gave us a sneak peek into the sales methods for its upcoming electric crossover. Here's what's happening in the car world: QUOTE OF THE WEEK "The conclusion of the new Concorde Agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and all 10 teams assures a stable future for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. During the unprecedented global challenges facing everyone around the world, I am proud of the way all Formula 1's stakeholders worked together over the past months for the best interests of the sport and the fans to agree to the pathway for more sustainable, fair and exciting competition at the pinnacle of motorsport." FIA president Jean Todt, commenting on F1's new commercial agreements, designed to stabilize the sport—and spread the wealth more evenly—until the end of 2025.
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK In a couple weeks Volkswagen is going show us its electric crossover, the ID.4, in production trim. VW sources told Autoweek the ID.4 will come in four trim levels, starting with a limited-number launch version called 1st Edition. The three other trim levels will follow. VW did a 1st Edition with the ID.3 in Europe last fall. The 2021 ID.4 rides on Volkswagen's MEB platform underpinning a whole range of ID-brand vehicles, as well as various Skodas and SEATs. Indeed the crossover is VW's first in a line of EVs it plans to launch here over the next several years and, as executives told us, the crossover and the EVs to follow "will be what Volkswagens have always been— affordable and fun to drive." VW says its strategy is to deliver EVs in the millions globally by 2025. The ID.4 is scheduled to go on sale before year's end. We hear the range is between 250 and 300 miles, and we are guessing the price is going to be between $35,000 and $45,000, before the $7,500 tax credit and Volkswagen of America is still negotiating with the Volkswagen Group over how many we'll get. VW execs also have said "the electric revolution will be coming soon to a street near you," and part of the revolution is the way the ID line is going to be sold. VW gave us a sneak peek into the ID.4 buying process. The company says it plans to use a centralized online reservation system in North America, starting next month when it unveils the production ID.4. At that time the company will begin accepting $100 deposits (refundable) from consumers who want a place in line. "The changes going on in the industry are well understood," said Duncan Movassaghi, VW's sales and marketing executive VP, "and the direction the industry is going is reserving a car and online ordering. It was coming anyway, but COVID has massively accelerated it." Movassaghi said consumers can reserve and configure their ID.4 and place the $100 deposits—all online—either from their homes or at a local VW dealership. He said 99% of VW's 650 stores have signed on to sell EVs. He also said customers will later go to the dealer to deposit an additional $400 (also refundable) to confirm their order and lock in what equipment they want. Customers will be able to track their place in line and get updates through their ID.4's build and delivery process. Movassaghi said the company is trying to make the whole process as streamlined and easy for the customer as possible. To that end the online ordering site has a Frequently Asked Questions section, trip planning tools and a savings calculator. "We really believe we are at a time when EVs make sense," he said, "and we have a car that is not a compromise. If you're one of the millions of Americans who buy an SUV every year, this is a great choice. "With a new car and a new era we very much need to get the customer experience right," he said. "That's how we break through." We'll have more next month when we see the production version. For now, though, I say that if VW can deliver an EV that drives like we know VWs can, with 250-plus miles of range for around $35K before the $7,500 credit, the ID.4 will be a winner. CAR NEWS AND NOTES Our ninth episode of In the Car With is an interview with one of my heroes in this business, Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter. We get the inside scoop on how after decades of rumors and spy shots Chevy finally moved the engine behind the Corvette's seats. Juechter joined the Corvette team in 1993 and became the car's chief engineer in 2006. It's a fascinating, wide-ranging interview that you'll want to check out. We also launched another Quick Spin podcast this week, on the red-hot Ford Bronco, definitely one of the most anticipated new Fords in years. Ford hasn't unleashed Broncos onto the hordes of car writers, but Jake Lingeman had the opportunity to ride along off-road in a Bronco sporting the Sasquatch package, giving you details of what this new SUV feels like in the flesh. Tune in here, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever podcasts are played. Mercedes-Benz sent us its own spy shots of the upcoming SL Roadster, due early next year. Benz says it's smaller and sportier and we'll likely see a few versions including a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 as in the GT and probably the company's new turbocharged inline-six. RACING LINES Lost in all the Indy 500 hoopla, nice guy Bill Auberlen won his 61st IMSA race, making him the winningest driver in IMSA history, breaking the tie he had with Scott Pruett at 60 wins each. Pruett, 60, quit racing after the 2018 Rolex 24, but refuses to say he has retired. He still does high-performance driving and testing with Lexus. Auberlen, 51, is from Redondo Beach, California, and is among the best-liked, best-spoken drivers in the paddock, always making time for a handshake or a selfie—at least when fans are allowed. His father, Gary, was a racer, and got his son into the sport at a relatively early age. Auberlen's first Daytona 24 hour was in 1987. "I love winning," Auberlen says. "I love being able to show that old guys can still go fast. And I plan on training harder than ever, because I want to see how old I can be and still win races." As noted in our Quote of the Week above, Formula 1 finally has a calendar for the rest of the year with a total of 17 races stretching until mid-December. Though revenues will be down around 50% this year F1 has managed to keep things moving along to a point where TV viewers cannot really tell the difference. Sure, the podium celebrations are a little weird, but the racing and the quality of the production look basically normal. F1 also managed to negotiate a new commercial contract to maintain stability until the end of 2025. The deal is confidential, but all 10 teams signed it, and it's been designed to cut the financial and on-track disparities between teams and create closer racing.
WHAT WE'RE DRIVING Robin Warner spent time in the Polestar 2, the—you guessed it—second car from the Volvo sub-brand. The 2 has twin-electric motors (one on each axle), a fixed drive-down gear transmission and a 78-kWh battery pack powertrain, making the car Polestar's first full battery-electric vehicle. Going forward the Swedish/Chinese brand is selling only BEVs. The 2 is on sale now starting at a gasp-inducing $61,200. Estimated range is between 250 and 275 miles.
MOSTLY ODDS, SOME ENDS In his story about a Ferrari Lusso's twists and turns, contributor John L. Stein wrote one of the most entertaining stories I've read in a long time, and I'm not just talkin' car stories. This tale involves a gazillion-dollar Ferrari, a well-known R&B singer, The Beach Boys, and … you'll have to read it yourself to find out. Trust me, you won't regret it.
LISTEN UP On this episode of the Autoweek Podcast, No. 124, I talk with with Wesley Wren and Jake Lingeman about the Mini Convertible's rumored demise and the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The gang dives into the upcoming SUV's importance, rumors about its long development process and what it could mean for Jeep going forward. After the news section, Mike Pryson joins Matt Weaver to talk about the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500. Weaver was present at the race and talks about how it stacked up to the other experiences at the race. Closing the motorsport section, the guys talk about the upcoming NASCAR playoffs and this week's Formula 1 race at Spa. Tune in here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever podcasts are played. WHAT'S AHEAD As always we're on the case this weekend, monitoring and reporting on the automakers' and sanctioning bodies' latest happenings. We'll continually update the site of course -- you'll know what's happening when we do. Check back often! Thanks for reading Autoweek and please stay safe.
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