We all know the Volkswagen ID.3 – the hatchback that introduced Volkswagen to the all-electric car game. It entered production last year at the brand’s Zwickau plant in Germany. Joining it at the same facility is the second pure-electric VW – the ID.4. Although the world premiere is scheduled for late next month, the German automaker has already started the series production.

Volkswagen says that the ID.4 will cater to the ever-expanding compact SUV segment, and like the ID.3, the new EV will have the Group’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform. As you’d expect, most of the details are still under wraps. But, there are a few confirmed details. For instance, the drag coefficient is just 0.28, which should help the range. Thanks to the flexibility of the platform, the ID.4 will have a scalable battery system. And, expect it to cover more than 500km on a single charge.

The battery will sit in a sandwich-design within the spine of the EV. As per Volkswagen, that helps in achieving a low centre of gravity and a “balanced axle load distribution”. Other design traits include “powerful proportions” along with a roomy cabin for both living and non-living things. VW also confirms that touch surfaces and “intuitive” voice control will help operate most of the car’s functions. To begin with, Volkswagen will introduce the ID.4 with a rear-wheel-drive configuration. That means a single electric motor on the rear axle. An all-wheel-drive version will arrive at a later stage.

As for the Zwickau plant, it will soon complete the transformation from a production facility that made conventionally-powered cars to one that produces only electric vehicles. Volkswagen says that in 2021, around 300,000 EVs based on the MEB platform will leave the said facility. Pre-production of the ID.4 has also commenced at the Anting plant in China. The site in Chattanooga will start manufacturing the compact E-SUV in 2022.