The Volkswagen ID.402 has been awarded as the 2021 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) by the World Car Awards jury panel, which consists of 93 renowned international journalists from 28 countries, including India. For the people not in know, the VW ID.4 is an electric crossover launched in 2020 and is available for sale in China, Europe, and America.
Vehicles that are manufactured in at least 10,000 units per year and be offered on at least two continents are eligible for the World Car of the Year award. A total of 24 entries were there in the initial list of the 17th edition WCOTY award. And after long deliberation, the top three finalists were chosen. Those were Honda E, Toyota Yaris, and VW ID4.0.
The jury appreciated the environmentally friendliness of ID.402 as well as it's innovative features. For example, the ID.4 comes with an optional innovative augmented reality head-up display (HUD) that can project vital info onto the windscreen as a 3D image such as navigation feeds. It also gets driver-assist features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Travel Assist (optional). When these features are active, the vehicle in front of the ID.4 is highlighted with a radiant marking in the HUD from a certain speed to be able to keep the required distance.
The ID4.0 is the first electric vehicle from Volkswagen to won the WCOTY award. Earlier, the VW Up, Golf, and Polo have also won this award. Here are the all-Volkswagen winners at the World Car Awards: –
- 2009: Golf (World Car of the Year)
- 2010: Polo (World Car of the Year)
- 2011: up! (World Car of the Year)
- 2013: Golf (World Car of the Year)
- 2021: ID.402 (World Car of the Year)
Commenting on the occasion, Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen passenger cars, said: –
We are particularly pleased about our ID.402 being named World Car of the Year. Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world – but because the jury also honoured a great idea and a great team. The first ID. Model for the key markets of Europe, China and the U.S. carries our electric offensive around the world. A convincing car, a great idea – and the World Car of the Year award? That goes well together for us!
About Volkswagen ID4.0 electric SUV
The VW ID4.002 is an all-electric SUV that is based on the I.D Crozz concept showcased at Auto Expo 2020. It comes with three electric motor options for different markets that drive the rear wheel of the car and generates a maximum output of 200bhp and 310Nm of torque. With a 77kWh battery pack, it is claimed to deliver a drive range of over 500kms on a single charge. It has a top speed of 160kmph and can sprint from 0-100kmph in just 8.5 seconds. Volkswagen is also planning to introduce an all-wheel-drive powertrain in the future that is expected to deliver 306PS/320Nm like the ID Crozz concept.
Volkswagen is likely to launch the ID4.0 in India by the next year as a CBU.
