Volkswagen's new electric era has begun with the launch of the ID.3 hatchback. But because hatchbacks aren't as popular in the US, VW's first electric model launching in America will be the ID.4 crossover. Originally, the plan was to reveal the ID.4 at the 2020 New York Auto Show in April after the production model was previewed at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show last year.

However, rumors are now suggesting that the electric crossover's debut has been delayed until the 2020 Detroit Auto Show in June. During a roundtable event at the 2020 Chicago Auto Showe, we asked VW COO Johan de Nysschen if these rumors are true. "We will show the car when the time is right, will probably be this year. We need to get the ID.3 launched without creating distraction with the next product," de Nysschen told us.

However, this year the Detroit Auto Show is being revamped an moved from its traditional January date to June, so it makes sense to debut some important US models such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and the long-awaited reborn Ford Bronco to give the show more publicity.

Spy shots of camouflaged prototypes have shown the Volkswagen ID.4 will have some noticeable differences compared to the original Crozz Concept. The concept's sliding rear doors have been replaced with conventional doors, and the production model also sports a more practical hatchback-style roofline instead of the concept's more stylish sloping roofline.

Instead, the VW ID.4 will adopt the Crozz Concept's coupe-style roofline. Based on VW's electric MEB platform, the ID.4 is expected to be longer and larger than the Tiguan.

Based on VW's electric MEB platform, the ID.4 will slot between the Tiguan and the Tiguan Allspace in terms of size but will have a longer wheelbase than the Tiguan. As for the powertrain, the ID.4 will be powered by two electric motors. In the Crozz Concept, this setup produces a combined output of 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. A 83-kWh lithium ion battery is expected to provide a range of over 311 miles.