We drive the VW ID.5 and it has a handful of surprises

The Volkswagen ID.5, the SUV coupé designed on the basis of the ID.4, will arrive in our country after summerDepending on the evolution of the potato chips, wiring and everything else that is affecting the production capacity of most manufacturers. Visibly distinguished, it is presented with a “lighter” and more dynamic-looking body compared to the ID.4, the conventional SUV in the range that optimizes interior volume. The clearly more pronounced rear roof pillar and the discreet rear “wing” are the differentiating elements responsible for the character more youthful and less “heavy” of model

Despite the coupé look, the new ID.5 has a total length of 4,599m, which means that it is slightly (15mm) longer than ID.4while still offering increased luggage capacity, offering 549 liters, six more than the ID.4, an advantage that is reversed with the folding of the seats, since the new SUV coupé claims 1,561 liters, 11 less than its more voluminous “brother”. In addition to the steeper rear end, another factor that contributes to the ID.5’s sportier appearance is its height of 1,613m, with less 5mm than ID.4.

There is only a large battery and powers up to 299 hp

At the moment, ID.5 will only be available with the most generous battery, which has a useful capacity of 77 kWh (82 kWh gross), the largest capacity installed in vehicles designed on an MEB platform with this width. However, if the package of batteries is unique, the ID.5 will offer various enginessomething similar to what happens with ID.4. The most affordable version of this SUV coupé is the so-called Pro, mounted at the rear of an electric motor with 174 hp and 235 Nm of torque., to then propose the Pro Performance, which sees the engine installed on the rear axle providing 204 hp and 310 Nm. Finally, there is the GTX -which in VW is synonymous with GTI for electric vehicles- with 299 hp and 460 Nm, provided by its two engines of 109 hp at the front (162 Nm) and 204 hp at the rear. (310Nm). ), a per axis, which gives all wheel drive and turns it into more sporty of the range

The ID.5 GTX is the fastest and fastest, claiming a top speed of 180 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds, but the increased weight and mechanical complexity lead it to advertise a autonomy of 490 km (in WLTP) and a consumption of 17.1 kWh/100 km. the versions professional and professional performanceonly with a 174 hp and 204 hp engine, respectively, are limited to 160 km/h, while reaching 100 km/h in 10.4 and 8.4 seconds. Consumption in WLTP drops to 16.9 kWh/100 km, which increases the range between recharges for 520 km.

Aware of the growing need for electric vehicle users to tow their boats, motorcycles and trailers, VW announces for the ID.5 Pro and Pro Performance the traction capacity up to 1200 kgwith brakes and up to 8% on slopes, and the GTX, more powerful and with two engines, can climb up to 1400 kg Under the same conditions.

More charging power with the help of software

The new ID.5 and ID.5 GTX will enjoy a maximum charging speednot because they use different cells or different batteries, but because Volkswagen, after two years marketing the ID.3 and ID.4, has realized that accumulators can go a little further in charging power, without compromising the confiability.

Thus, the new SUV coupés can now be recharged to 135 kWinstead of the previous 125 kW, which according to the brand allows charging from 5% to 80% in just 29 minutes. Interestingly, the same package of batteries – 12 modules of 24 cells each, of the bag type, which must be at 25ºC to guarantee maximum efficiency –, when installed on GTX, it needs 36 minutes to go from 5% to 80%, and this version also accepts a maximum of 135 kW in DC, so that in AC it can absorb up to 11 kW.

As with the VW ID.4, VW Group batteries only allow access to the maximum power in versions with two motors in certain situations. Specifically, for a short period of time (30 seconds) and as long as the battery is above 88% and its temperature ranges between 23ºC and 50ºC. This is because the added power of the front motor, an induction motor designed as reinforcementit is intended for short-term use to, under normal conditions, turn off and not consume power.

What is it like inside and how does it drive?

With a less “heavy” appearance on the outside, the result of the coupé-style line, the ID.5 also pleased us on the inside, with materials that seem to us of better quality and better finishes, especially in relation to what we are used to with the ID.3 and the versions that we have already driven of the ID.4. But the The biggest difference arises in the field of connectivitysince the new ID.5 and ID.5 GTX have the latest installed software brand, 3.1, which allows improvements in terms of the central screen, the head up screen and the energy charging system and its payment, through systems such as the Plug & Charge network. This type of system, which, according to Volkswagen, works perfectly throughout Europe and the US, allowing the ID.5 to authenticate itself at the station, start charging and charge the cost to the customer’s account, it will not be possible to use it in Portugal. due to the scheme implemented in public telephones, which requires paying separately for the use of mail and energy supply.

Weighing 2,242kg for the GTX version and 2,117kg for the single-motor ID.5 Pro and Pro Performance – the front motor alone weighs 90kg, accounting for much of the extra 125kg – the ID.5 is not a light tram, as it uses a specific but entirely steel platform.

With 299 hp and an almost constant force of 460 Nm, from the first revolution, the ID.5 GTX moves with ease, responds quickly to the throttle and accepts that they take him at a good pace, despite the clear family vocation. We also liked that the space in the front remained unchanged, while in the rear only the ceiling height has been slightly reduced, very little so as not to limit the comfort of passengers with a height of up to 1.80 m.

To get an idea of ​​the efficiency of the new SUV coupé, which is about the same weight as the ID.4 but is a bit more streamlined (Cx of 0.26 instead of 0.28), we traveled 110 km at a leisurely pace, on a somewhat winding road, at an average of 46 km/h. In the end, consumption showed an average of 20.2 kWh/100 km, which points to a autonomy of 381 km, relatively far from the claimed 490 km by the manufacturer, to which the 21” wheels will undoubtedly contribute.

Then it was time to put the Pro Performance version to the test, with a single engine, 204 hp and 310 Nm. Available power is more than enough for a spirited beatsince the additional motor of the GTX only “wakes up” when the function is requested. overfeed. The manufacturer announces a small difference in consumption between the 204 hp version and the sportier version, with 299 hp, more specifically 16.9 kWh/100 km for the former and 17.1 kWh/100 km for the latter. On a course of 79 km less winding and flatter, which we covered at 55 km/h, the SUV coupé consumed only 15.6 kWh/100 km, which suggests the possibility of doing 493 km between recharges, very close to the 520 km announced by the manufacturer.

Fix it yourself and navigate with the “cloud”

like new software from the 3.1 programming come new functions and Here we highlight the two that impressed us the most.. the first is the most evolved version of Travel Assist with swarm data, which can be translated as “swarm information”. The latest version of Travel Assist allows semi-automatic driving on the motorway, keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane and offering assistance to the driver if he wants to change lanes to overtake and drive above 90 km/h.

But the main novelty lies in the possibility that the ID.5 can offer this driving assistance system even on roads that have not painted the center dividing linewhich prevents most solutions lane centering activate or function properly. In the case of VW, it is enough that other models of the brand with this software have previously passed through that same road (we had the idea that half a dozen vehicles could be enough) and sent the images to the cloud, so that the information is available to the “swarm” of vehicles and can be guided only with a lateral line This is a solution that can make life easier for those traveling on secondary or rural roads.

In terms of equipment, another novelty is the Park Assist Plus, with memory function. If the system normally already allows parallel, diagonal and perpendicular parking, the memory function ensures that the driver can “teach” the ID.5 (and other models that will soon adopt it). software) to park outside the house or office, up to a total of five locations distinct. Then, just give the order and the SUV parks itself, no matter how narrow the garage or how twisted the maneuvers are, up to about 50 meters.

Volkswagen’s new ID.5, which should hit the market in Septemberif the crisis of chips and wiring and the difficulties of suppliers in general do not interfere with the programming of the brand, it brings the aforementioned novelties in terms of softwarefruit of the new generation 3.1. Prices have not yet been announced.but it will be slightly higher than the ID.4, with the same 77 kWh battery (82 kWh gross) and the same level of equipment.