Volkswagens-ID.4-Electric-SUV-Crowned-World-Car-Of-The-Year

Volkswagen’s ID.4 Electric SUV Family Car Been Awarded The World Car Of The Year Gong In 2021, It Has Been Announced.

By Rob Hull

Volkswagen’s ID.4 Electric Family Car Been Awarded The World Car Of The Year Gong In 2021, It Has Been Announced. The SUV, which is the second model in VW’s new ‘ID’ electric vehicle range, went on sale last year and in the UK costs from £41,570 for the most affordable ‘Life’ version. It was voted the winning vehicle by a jury of 93 international journalists from 28 countries who agreed it is the standout car of this year, securing the German brand’s fifth crown at the World Car of the Year awards since it was established in 2004.

Commenting on the victory, Ralf Brandstätter, Volkswagen Cars CEO, said: ‘We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named World Car of the Year. Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world – but because the jury also honoured a great idea and a great team. ‘The first ID model for the key markets of Europe, China and the US carries our electric offensive around the world.

‘A convincing car, a great idea – and the World Car of the Year award? That goes well together for us!’

The ID.4, which is currently available with a 77kWh battery mounted on the rear axle to drive the back wheels, has a range of between 314 and 323 miles on a full charge, can accelerate from zero to 60mph in 8.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 99mph. It also has the capacity for 125kW DC rapid charging, meaning the battery can recover almost 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes if you can track down a charging device capable of providing the required level of juice.A smaller 52kWh battery pack offering a range of up to 224 miles – and a cheaper price – is due to hit the market later this year.

The ID.4 is one of the number of electric cars to suffer from the Government’s recent decision to slash to Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG). The scheme, which previously offer to cover £3,000 of the list price of a new EV under the price of £50,000 has now been cut to a subsidy of just £2,500, and eligibility only for vehicles priced under £35,000. It means the ID.4 no longer qualifies for the grant, with the cheapest model starting at £41,570.

It is yet to be confirmed if the new versions with a smaller-capacity battery will be priced to dip below the PiCG eligibility ceiling. The ID.4 follows in the tyre tracks of the Golf (2013 and 2019), Polo (2010) and Up! city car (2012) to take the award, and is the third electric car to receive the gong after the Nissan Leaf (2011) and Jaguar I-Pace (2019). 

Other winners in the World Car of the Year 2021 parade

Land Rover’s Defender SUV missed out on the top prize but did scoop the World Car Design of the Year category win. Accepting the gong, JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, said: ‘New Defender is influenced by its past but is not constrained by it and we are delighted it has been honoured with this award.

‘Our vision was to create a 21st century Defender by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and design while retaining its renowned DNA and off-road capability. The result is a compelling 4×4 that resonates with customers on an emotional level.’ Honda’s electric Honda e was also named World Car Urban Car of the Year, the Porsche 911 Turbo hailed Performance Car of the Year and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class winning the award for the best luxury model.

This news was originally published at This Is Money.