ID.4

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
SUV

The Volkswagen ID.4 has had a very strong start. Initial sales are encouraging, the AWD's EPA rating is better than anyone ever expected, and the IIHS awarded the electric SUV a coveted Top Safety Pick Plus last month. Soon, however, the ID.4 will face its toughest test yet. This week, Volkswagen will enter the women-only off-road Rebelle Rally with a modified ID.4 AWD Pro.

Behind the wheel will be driver Mercedes Lilienthal and navigator Emily Winslow, who will tackle the deserts of Nevada and California in a specially modified ID.4 AWD Pro on October 7-16.

"The Rebelle Rally is blazing a new trail in motorsports, and presents a tremendous opportunity for us to introduce our ID.4 and electric vehicles to an even greater audience," said Kimberley Gardiner, senior vice president, marketing, Volkswagen of America. "Volkswagen helped make off-road competitions popular in the '60s, and we've only just begun to explore the potential of electrification in off-roading motorsports. We're really excited to have Mercedes and Emily leading the charge on this experience of a lifetime."

To help the electric SUV cope with the challenging terrain, the ID.4 has been modified by Tanner Foust Racing and Rhys Millen Racing with upgraded suspension components, tubular control arms, skid plates, and battery protection.

Other modifications include Thule rack accessories and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. The ID.4 rally SUV also features a colorful wrap designed by artist Liz Kuz. The powertrain has been left stock, however. Like the road-going production model, the rally-ready ID.4 AWD Pro is powered by an 82-kWh battery and two electric motors generating a combined 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. On a full charge, the ID.4 AWD Pro has an EPA-estimated range of 249 miles.

This won't be the first time the ID.4 has been pushed to its limits in a grueling off-road race. Earlier this year, a modified ID.4 1st Edition RWD vehicle was entered in the Norra Mexican 1000 race, where it survived 840 miles of punishment.