Volkswagen reveals the new all-electric ID.4 SUV - by mistake

Photos of the second model in Volkswagen's crucial ID range of electric cars have leaked online from Chinese authorities. The pictures are the first undisguised shots of the car which have been seen outside of the company and clearly show it has a more conventional look than the Golf-sized ID.3.

The SUV style is much more conventional than the ID.3 hatchback

The ID.4, which will be only available as a pure electric car, is expected to go on sale in the UK in the middle of 2021.  At 4,592mm long, it is bigger than the current VW Tiguan and the best-selling Nissan Qashqai but slightly smaller than an X-Trail or Hyundai Santa Fe.

It will uses the same hardware as the ID.3, which will mean a range of around 310 miles from a 58kWh battery from the first models. A 201bhp motor powers the rear wheels, but other battery options and a twin-motor version with four-wheel-drive will be offered later. 

ID.4 is badged 'CROSS', which also describes the mood of VW execs after the leak

The photos appeared online after they were submitted to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as part of the legal approval process which will allow the car to be sold in the country. 

The ID.4 - perfect for people who like their cars to look like Storm Troopers from Star Wars