We can’t forget the Dieselgate scandal of Volkswagen, and we certainly shouldn’t. It took this event to push this brand forward to EVs.
Oh, it’s possible; VW might have moved toward electric vehicles as the growth of this alternative fuel took place, but the scandal gave this company the push off the ledge that was needed for the team to get to work to be cleaner and better for the environment.
Lest We Forget
Just to remind you of what took place with the VW scandal, let’s take a quick look back. In 2015, it was discovered that Volkswagen was not properly testing vehicles for emissions and those harmful gasses coming out of the diesel engines were as much as forty times the allowed amount at the time. This led to a global scandal, the deletion of all diesel-powered VW models, and huge sums of money owed.
How Much Are the Ex-Bosses Paying?
At least one of the former executives of VW was jailed, mostly because he set foot on American soil during a family vacation, but many others are simply going to pay back large sums of money. In total, nearly $330 million will go back to the coffers at VW. This money will come from former CEO Martin Winterkorn, former Audi Boss Rupert Stadler, two other managers, and the insurance company. Incidentally, the insurance company will foot most of the bill.
A Virtual Drop in the Bucket
The Dieselgate scandal cost Volkswagen its reputation, more than $40 billion in fines, court fees, and settlements, along with the $86 billion that has been spent on electric vehicle research since that time. While the scandal took place in 2015 and the guilty plea was filed in 2017, four years later, the company and some of its former executives are still dealing with the fallout.
What Will VW Offer Going Forward?
After this scandal, the Volkswagen team announced the movement toward EV models, a move that was agreed to and forced in court documents, which has given us several headlines since that time. We know that VW intends to replace the entire lineup with electric models in the future, and the first one of those has arrived in the form of the ID.4.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is as far away from the Dieselgate scandal as you can get. This is a dedicated EV model that runs on electricity to give us a vehicle that is new and different from what this brand has offered. Sure, we’ve seen the electric Golf, but the ID.4 is something new and is easily a breath of fresh air when compared to the choking that was happening with the small diesel engines of the past.
Two Versions for Your Drive
The powertrain used for the VW ID.4 comes in two different forms. Lower-trim models make use of a version that has one electric motor that uses an 82-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. You’ll have 201 horsepower, 228 lb.-ft. of torque, and 250 miles of driving range. Select the ID-4 Pro, and the range is increased by ten miles.
Higher trims of this Volkswagen vehicle give you a pair of motors to offer an AWD setup. This setup has one motor for the front axle and one for the rear. The same battery pack is used, but horsepower is increased to 295, and torque is moved up to 350 lb.-ft. The driving range drops one mile to 249 on a full charge. If you’re looking for an AWD vehicle that runs on electricity, this could be the right version for you.
What Makes the ID.4 a Great Choice?
If you’re willing to trust Volkswagen after the Dieselgate scandal, you will want to see what the ID.4 brings for your drive. In addition to the driving range, you’ll have an electric SUV with three years of free recharging when using Electrify America charging ports. This SUV can tow up to 2,700 pounds, you’ll love the comprehensive safety suite, and you can get connected using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Moving Forward Means Leaving the Past Behind
We might be coming much closer to the end of ever talking about Dieselgate and the amount of money that VW has had to pay or collect. As we leave this scandal behind, we can admire what has come from it, including the first all-electric Volkswagen model, which is the ID.4 SUV. Visit your nearby VW dealer and see if this five-seater is the SUV you’ll take home today.
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