Volkswagen primed for electric assault
Volkswagen Australia is set to go from EV famine to EV feast with a wave of new battery electric models due later this year.
After being left in the dust of rival brands like Tesla, Hyundai and BYD, Volkswagen Australia will finally have not one but five different electric vehicles on the market by early 2025.
The brand’s ID.4 and ID.5 EVs have been conspicuous in their absence from this market, despite having launched in Europe in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but are confirmed for arrival Down Under in June or July.
The ID.4 is a medium SUV and targets the market-leading Tesla Model Y, while the ID.5 is a coupe-like version of the same vehicle, with both models set to be available in single-motor rear-wheel drive Pro variant or dual-motor all-wheel drive GT-X.
One upside of the delayed local launch is that Australia will get the updated versions of both models, with Volkswagen announcing major technical upgrades last October that included more power, better driving range and upgraded interiors.
Let us do the work finding your next car
Both the ID.4 and ID.5 feature a 77kWh battery with the single-motor rear-wheel drive Pro variant delivering outputs of 210kW/545Nm, while the all-wheel drive GTX develops a punchier 250kW/545Nm. Driving range for the ID.4 Pro is claimed to be 550km (WLTP) while the ID.5. Pro manages 556km (WLTP).
Following hard on the heels of these new Volkswagen battery electrics will be the ID. Buzz people mover and ID. Buzz Cargo van, which are due in December 2024.
The ID.Buzz has been described in some quarters as a reborn all-electric Kombi, thanks in part to its distinctive design and two-tone colouring.
It’s available in standard wheelbase five-seat and long wheelbase seven-seat configurations, while the ID.Buzz Cargo is a more commercial-oriented offering, a 650kg payload and space to accommodate two Euro Pallets.
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz.
Joining the ID.Buzz range in 2025 will be a high-performance GTX variant which Volkswagen is describing as its fastest ever MPV with the all-wheel drive people mover capable of covering the 0–100km/h sprint in a rapid 6.5 seconds.
Another electric Volkswagen due in in 2024 is the Golf-sized electric hatchback ID.3, which arrives some four years after it launched in Europe.
Once again, Australian customers will benefit from recent updates to the exterior styling changes and a more premium interior.
The ID.3 is equipped with a large 84kWh battery which delivers a claimed 600km (WLTP) driving range.
Also confirmed for Australia is the ID.3 GTX, a hot hatch flagship that is the electric equivalent of the famed Golf GTI and will sit at the top of the range and will boast claimed outputs of 240kW/545Nm in the top-spec Performance variant.
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.