Latest news with #ID.5
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Automakers Rebrand Electric Vehicles, Drop Confusing Badges
"What's in a name?" Shakespeare asked. When it's a car we're talking about, a badge can mean a lot. And that's why a number of automakers have begun rethinking the nameplates they've been saddling their battery-electric vehicles with. Volkswagen, for one, said this week it will walk away from the "ID" badge used for its growing line-up of EVs. It follows Mercedes-Benz which will give up on its largely meaningless "EQ" alphanumeric nomenclature, and Toyota officials told Autoblog they're ready to walk away from the "bZ" badge as new EVs come to market. "Initially, these names sounded good on paper…as a way to distinguish their EVs from the rest of the line-up," said Stephanie Brinley, principal auto analyst with S&P Global Mobility, "but as the model range expands, it becomes more confusing." Since it launched one of the most expensive EV development program in industry history, the Volkswagen brand has distinguished its all-electric products with the ID nomenclature, initially followed by a number indicating the vehicle's size class. That started with the midrange ID.4 to which VW has since added the smaller ID.3 crossover, the bigger ID.5, and the sporty ID.7 sedan. It began to break with that strategy with the launch of the microvan. And, going forward, the German marque's EVs "will get proper names again," Martin Sander, Volkswagen's marketing and sales chief told German business publication Auto und Wirtschaft. The automaker already has referred to the microvan as simply "Buzz" in some situations, and the new approach is expected to formally appear with the launch of production versions of the and ID.2all concept vehicles – which are widely expected to be badged Up and Polo, respectively. When Toyota launched its first modern EV a couple years ago, it saddled the electric crossover with the ungainly bZ4X badge. While that's likely not the primary reason while sales have lagged expectations, it certainly didn't help, acknowledged the brand's marketing chief Mike Tripp. So, with the debut of a major 2026 update, the EV not only gets more power, more range and more tech features but a newly shortened name, bZ. And a new off-road-oriented variant blends adds a more conventional moniker, bZ Woodlands. And once the EV goes through a major makeover, several officials told Autoblog on background, it will likely adopt the name of one of Toyota's existing, non-electric model lines. That's expected to happen with other EVs set to debut over the next 12 to 18 months. "We're going to stick with conventional names for future electric vehicles," Toyota brand marketing chief Mike Tripp said in an interview. "It always makes sense to use an existing product name because it has awareness," Tripp explained. We've already heard from Mercedes-Benz, which will downplay the alpha-format EQ badging used for its recent EV entries, such as the flagship EQS line. The shift starts with the launch of an all-electric version of the classic G-Wagen. Originally set to be dubbed EQG, it instead will come to market as the G580 with EQ Technology. Expect that approach to continue with other upcoming battery-electric models, while the current EQS, EQE and EQB models will eventually be rebadged, as well. That said, Mercedes will still make things a bit confusing, using the "e" designation for hybrids, such as the S580e. And there'll be a unique moniker for electrified AMG products. Some brands are simply adding a letter to designate "electrified" models, as BMW does with its "I" entries. The Chevrolet brand has retained familiar badges, adding EV to the end of names like Equinox, Blazer and Silverado. So has its sibling, GMC, with the Hummer and Sierra EVs. Curiously, General Motors' flagship Cadillac brand moved away from its own, oft-criticized alphanumeric approach when it went electric. While gas models have been saddled with soulless badged like CTS and XT5, its first all-electric offering went with the cute, if quirky Lyriq nomenclature. Optiq and Vistiq will follow, while the battery-electric version of the brand's SUV flagship has been dubbed Escalade IQ. With so many more EVs to come, other manufacturers are starting to rethink their own naming policies. Hyundai's approach, blending "Ioniq," with a number indicating the vehicle's size, works for now, as does sibling brand Kia's approach with models like the EV4, EV6 and EV9. But the two Korean carmakers plan to bring out more than a dozen all-electric offerings and may run out of alphanumeric options at some point. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
West Australian
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Volkswagen rounds out electric SUV lineup with faster ID.4, cheaper ID.5
Volkswagen Australia has announced pricing for two additional variants in its ID. electric vehicle (EV) family, completing the lineups for each of its two electric SUVs at the same time. The already confirmed ID.4 Pro and ID.5 GTX are being joined by the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 Pro . All vehicles are available to order now, ahead of customer deliveries taking place in July. The ID.4 GTX rings up at $69,990 before on-road costs, or $10,000 more than the previously announced ID.4 Pro. Likewise, the entry-level Pro version of the ID.5 'coupe' SUV has been priced at $62,990 before on-road costs, or $10,000 less than the ID.5 GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . Volkswagen says the ID.4 GTX complements the new petrol-powered Tiguan 195TSI R-Line, which produces 195kW of power and 400Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder for a 5.9-second 0-100km/h time. It's priced at $70,490 before on-roads. The ID.4 GTX produces up to 250kW (+40kW over the Pro) and sends its power through a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. These figures are identical to the ID.5 GTX, which also produces 679Nm of torque. Claimed WLTP driving range for the ID.4 GTX is 511km, down from 528km for the ID.5 GTX and 544km for the rear-wheel drive ID.4 Pro. The ID.5 Pro, meanwhile, receives the rear-wheel drive powertrain of the ID.4 Pro, producing 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque. Its claimed 0-100km/h time is 6.7 seconds, while it can supposedly travel 543km on a charge on the WLTP cycle. All use a battery with a net capacity of 77kWh, which can be charged at up to 175kW using a DC fast charger. Inside, the ID.4 GTX gets the same treatment as the ID.5 GTX, with sports seats with integrated head rests, featuring 'GTX' embossing, red accents, and red stitching. There's also 'GTX' badging on the steering wheel, while a premium Harman Kardon sound system has been added as standard. 20-inch alloy wheels are also fitted for GTX models over the 19-inch alloys fitted to Pro versions. The ID.5 Pro mirrors the equivalent ID.4, and still includes niceties like Matrix LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, ArtVelours upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a 12.9-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety gear for both includes Volkswagen Travel Assist with adaptive cruise control and active lane assist, oncoming vehicle braking when turning, proactive occupant protection, and a surround-view camera. Both the ID.4 and ID.5 wear five-star ANCAP safety ratings. The ID.4 and ID.5 range benefits from Volkswagen Group Australia's 'On EV' initiative, which includes an eight-year, 160,000 km battery warranty, free battery health checks, and 'simplified charging solutions' with Ampol AmpCharge. Both models are also backed by Volkswagen's standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Full ID.4 and ID.5 pricing is detailed below: MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID.4 • ID.5
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Britain's most popular car ‘may be reborn' as an EV after being discontinued two years ago
This comes after a 'very successful' first project U-TURN Britain's most popular car 'may be reborn' as an EV after being discontinued two years ago BRITAIN'S most beloved car "may be reborn" as an electric after being axed two years ago. The iconic motor is getting a much-needed upgrade to fit in with the EV revolution. 3 Ford might be releasing an EV version of a popular model Credit: Getty 3 The Ford Fiesta might be getting an electric makeover Credit: Getty 3 Ford said more EV details are set to come this year Credit: Alamy The fan-favourite Ford Fiesta is set to return and this time it'll be decked out with a charging socket. It was scrapped from production in July 2023, much to the dismay of loyal customers. However, soon it might be re-introduced with the help of Volkswagen. Both Ford and Volkswagen joined forces for a "very successful" first project, meaning more Ford EVs could be on the way. The manufacturer made a deal with Volkswagen in 2020 to use the same electric car parts that VW uses in their ID.4 and ID.5 models. These cars are electric SUVs built on the same MEB platform, which essentially is the vehicle architecture, but designed for slightly different tastes. With this deal, Ford was able to make two new electric cars — the Ford Explorer EV and the Ford Capri EV — using VW's electric system underneath but with Ford's own design. This deal worked so well that there's talk that Ford might bring back other old models, like the Fiesta, using the same approach. While nothing is set in stone, Volkswagen's head of sales and marketing Martin Sander, told Auto Express their partnership was 'very, very, very successful.' The sales boss said he did "not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again." Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained This means a new wave of superminis could be on the cards. The updated electric Fiesta would have a range of up to 280 miles and DC fast-charging speeds of 125kW. Sander said the collaboration is "an opportunity for [VW] to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business." While Ford hasn't confirmed any details on whether an EV Ford Fiesta might make an appearance, it said it would make investments where it sees. The manufacturer revealed: "Ford is confident in its ability to compete in the right segments." Ford's secretive California-based Skunkworks team, a small elusive group of engineers, is currently hard at work on a new affordable electric vehicle platform. Last year the carmaker said: "We developed a super-talented skunkworks team to create a low-cost EV platform. "It was a small group, small team, some of the best EV engineers in the world, and it was separate from the Ford mothership. "It was a start-up." However, the project seems to be zeroing in on a medium-sized pick-up as its first focus which doesn't appear to describe an EV Fiesta. Ford said it would provide an update on electrification, technology, profitability and capital requirements in the first half of 2025. Fiesta fans will have to sit with their fingers crossed in the meantime.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Britain's most popular car ‘may be reborn' as an EV after being discontinued two years ago
BRITAIN'S most beloved car "may be reborn" as an electric after being axed two years ago. The iconic motor is getting a much-needed upgrade to fit in with the EV revolution. 3 The fan-favourite Ford Fiesta is set to return and this time it'll be decked out with a charging socket. It was scrapped from production in July 2023, much to the dismay of loyal customers. However, soon it might be re-introduced with the help of Volkswagen. Both Ford and Volkswagen joined forces for a "very successful" first project, meaning more Ford EVs could be on the way. The manufacturer made a deal with Volkswagen in 2020 to use the same electric car parts that VW uses in their ID.4 and ID.5 models. These cars are electric SUVs built on the same MEB platform, which essentially is the vehicle architecture, but designed for slightly different tastes. With this deal, Ford was able to make two new electric cars — the Ford Explorer EV and the Ford Capri EV — using VW's electric system underneath but with Ford's own design. This deal worked so well that there's talk that Ford might bring back other old models, like the Fiesta, using the same approach. While nothing is set in stone, Volkswagen's head of sales and marketing Martin Sander, told Auto Express their partnership was 'very, very, very successful.' The sales boss said he did "not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again." This means a new wave of superminis could be on the cards. The updated electric Fiesta would have a range of up to 280 miles and DC fast-charging speeds of 125kW. Sander said the collaboration is "an opportunity for [VW] to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business." While Ford hasn't confirmed any details on whether an EV Ford Fiesta might make an appearance, it said it would make investments where it sees. The manufacturer revealed: "Ford is confident in its ability to compete in the right segments." Ford's secretive California-based Skunkworks team, a small elusive group of engineers, is currently hard at work on a new affordable electric vehicle platform. Last year the carmaker said: "We developed a super-talented skunkworks team to create a low-cost EV platform. "It was a small group, small team, some of the best EV engineers in the world, and it was separate from the Ford mothership. "It was a start-up." However, the project seems to be zeroing in on a medium-sized pick-up as its first focus which doesn't appear to describe an EV Fiesta. Ford said it would provide an update on electrification, technology, profitability and capital requirements in the first half of 2025. Fiesta fans will have to sit with their fingers crossed in the meantime.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Britain's most popular car ‘may be reborn' as an EV after being discontinued two years ago
BRITAIN'S most beloved car "may be reborn" as an electric after being axed two years ago. The iconic motor is getting a much-needed upgrade to fit in with the EV revolution. Advertisement 3 Ford might be releasing an EV version of a popular model Credit: Getty 3 The Ford Fiesta might be getting an electric makeover Credit: Getty 3 Ford said more EV details are set to come this year Credit: Alamy The fan-favourite Ford Fiesta is set to return and this time it'll be decked out with a charging socket. It was scrapped from production in July 2023, much to the dismay of loyal customers. However, soon it might be re-introduced with the help of Volkswagen. Both Ford and Volkswagen joined forces for a "very successful" first project, meaning more Ford EVs could be on the way. Advertisement Read more The manufacturer made a deal with Volkswagen in 2020 to use the same electric car parts that VW uses in their ID.4 and ID.5 models . These cars are electric SUVs built on the same MEB platform, which essentially is the vehicle architecture, but designed for slightly different tastes. With this deal, Ford was able to make two new electric cars — the Ford Explorer EV and the Ford Capri EV — using VW's electric system underneath but with Ford's own design. This deal worked so well that there's talk that Ford might bring back other old models, like the Fiesta, using the same approach. Advertisement Most read in Motors While nothing is set in stone, Volkswagen's head of sales and marketing Martin Sander, told The sales boss said he did "not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again." Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained This means a new wave of superminis could be on the cards. The updated electric Fiesta would have a range of up to 280 miles and DC fast-charging speeds of 125kW. Advertisement Sander said the collaboration is "an opportunity for [VW] to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business." While Ford hasn't confirmed any details on whether an EV Ford Fiesta might make an appearance, it said it would make investments where it sees. The manufacturer revealed: "Ford is confident in its ability to compete in the right segments." Ford's secretive California-based Skunkworks team, a small elusive group of engineers, is currently hard at work on a new affordable electric vehicle platform. Advertisement Last year the carmaker said: "We developed a super-talented skunkworks team to create a low-cost EV platform. "It was a small group, small team, some of the best EV engineers in the world, and it was separate from the Ford mothership. "It was a start-up." However, the project seems to be zeroing in on a medium-sized pick-up as its first focus which doesn't appear to describe an EV Fiesta. Advertisement Ford said it would provide an update on electrification, technology, profitability and capital requirements in the first half of 2025. Fiesta fans will have to sit with their fingers crossed in the meantime.
