IT seems that nearly everything that stirs in the motoring world is electric these days. Even a former classic the famed Opel Manta has had an electric powertrain retrofitted.
But it is all about the future. We get a first look at the first fully dedicated EV from KIA. Called the EV6, it will make its world premiere later this month. It is due in Ireland sometime in Quarter 4. Expect a range of 500km.
Meanwhile, just a day after forecasting that new battery technology would cut EV prices by up to 50pc, Volkswagen announced that hardware, software, batteries and charging, as well as mobility services of all its group brands, will be based on largely standardised technical foundations in future.
They say that by pooling the strengths of the collective brands, they will be able to scale up technologies more quickly and maximise benefits.
The announcement coincided with the arrival here of the brands first electric SUV, the ID.4. The ID.4 1st Editions (1st and 1st Max) are the first to arrive and are being delivered to hundreds of customers who pre-ordered them.
Volkswagen, unsurprisingly, says there is nothing to stop people from ordering the regular series models now, with prices starting from 34,436.
The ID.4 City and ID.4 Style models have 52kWh batteries. Their electric motor produces 148PS and a claimed range of up to 343km.
The 1st, 1st Max, Life, Business, Family, Tech and Max versions have a 77kWh battery and a range of up to 519km. The electric motor in the rear produces 204PS.
You can charge the 52kWh battery from empty in 7hrs 30 mins while DC charging to 80pc takes just 38 minutes. The 77kWh battery can be charged via 11kW AC or up to 125kW DC in much the same time as the 52kWh version.
I speak from experience when I say the electric SUV has huge interior room. It is similar to the Tiguan Allspace SUV even though its exterior dimensions (4.58m long) are similar to the standard Tiguan.
And the boots capacity is 543 to 1,575 litres, depending on the position of the rear seats backrest.
Its important to be clear that the 52kWh battery is fitted to the City and Style while the 77kWh battery powers all the rest of the range.
Spec on the entry-level ID.4 City (from 34,436) includes18ins alloys, Navigation, wireless charging and Art Velours interior. The Style version (from 38,548) adds Matrix LED headlights, 19ins alloys, rear-view camera, 3-zone climatronic. Life (from 44,001) is the same as a City but with 19ins alloys and the 77kWh battery.
The ID.4 Business (48,887) is similar to the City but adds the 77kWh battery and Matrix LED headlights, 19ins wheels, anti-theft alarm among several items.
The ID.4 Family (50,365) adds a panoramic roof, thermal insulation and acoustic glass.
And the ID.4 Tech (53,995) adds increased technology to the Business model. The ID.4 Max (57,810) gets the full suite of equipment.
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Opel Manta GSe Elektro
Opel Manta GSe Elektro
Meanwhile, Opel celebrates the Manta of 1970 with the eponymous Manta GSe ElektroMOD.
It highlights the growing restomod phenomenon of mixing original designs with new technologies.
The all-electric Manta GSe ElektroMOD has a fully digital cockpit and is claimed to be as sporty as the original GSe.
Online Editors