New VW electric SUV has spacious, modern interior, company says

Contributed photo by Volkswagen / The ID.4's interior is simplistic and focuses 'only on the essential,' the company says.
Contributed photo by Volkswagen / The ID.4's interior is simplistic and focuses 'only on the essential,' the company says.

The Volkswagen electric SUV slated to make its world premiere later this month holds ample space, a modern design, and high-effect lighting, according to the German automaker.

The ID.4, which will first be built in Germany and then later at VW's Chattanooga plant, has 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, the company said Friday.

Klaus Zyciora, head of Volkswagen Group design, said the vehicle is "freedom on the outside, free space on the inside. "

The ID.4 brings "a new sense of space to its category thanks to the new MEB modular platform," he said in a statement, citing the architecture on which the vehicle sits.

According to VW, the door handles on the ID.4 lie flush with the body and come with electric unlocking. Driver and passengers access the vehicle through large door openings and benefit from a high-seating position, while the rear seat bench offers plenty of space for passengers.

The ID.4's interior design "appears flowing and lightweight, focusing only on the essential," the company said.

The dash panel seems to be floating as it's not linked to the center console, according to VW, which has been designed as an independent component. As darkness falls, available 30-color ambient lighting can be adjusted to set striking highlights in the vehicle interior.

The ID.4 will feature ID. Light - a light strip below the windscreen to support drivers in a host of situations with intuitive lighting effects in different colors, the company said. For example, ID. Light signals to the driver that the vehicle's drive system is active and that the car has been unlocked or locked. It accentuates information issued by the driver assist and navigation systems and signals braking prompts and incoming phone calls.

The steering wheel, steering column, the housings of the display and the control panels in the doors come in trendy Piano Black or modern Electric White.

The Volkswagen brand's first electric SUV will be built at VW's Chattanooga plant by 2022. The factory is undergoing an $800 million expansion to prepare for the assembly of the battery-powered vehicle.

"We're on plan," said Volkswagen Chattanooga Chief Executive Tom du Plessis about the automaker's expansion of its production plant recently.

The company is increasing its footprint by more than 750,000 square feet to its Chattanooga facilities to produce the more environmentally friendly EVs.

Earlier this week, VW unveiled plans to hire 150 more production employees in Chattanooga to meet demand for its existing vehicles and ready for the electric SUV. The company currently employs about 3,800 workers in Chattanooga.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.

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