Amid the growing number of outdoorsy-themed crossovers decked out with body cladding and knobby tires, we must give credit to Volkswagen for competing in grueling desert-racing conditions with two of its pedestrian ID.4 electric SUVs. A promotional move to be sure—the company currently is not keen on transferring its learnings to an off-road-oriented production model—it’s still a bold effort made bolder by the fact that both vehicles crossed their respective finish lines largely without issue. It also highlights the challenges that EVs face as they become more common, even in the backcountry.
VW’s ID.4 adventure isn’t terribly surprising considering the company’s long, unconventional history in off-roading. The original Beetle, in all its rudimentary rear-engine glory, has been conquering the desert for decades. Over the years, VW has won titles in disciplines as varied as the Dakar Rally and action-packed rallycross. It even once competed in the Baja 1000 endurance race with a top-level Trophy Truck—a rather exotic one powered by a mid-mounted V-12 turbo-diesel borrowed from Audi’s vaunted Le Mans racers. In the wake of the ignominious downfall of diesel technology, electric power is the clear way forward for VW, be it down Main Street or through rock-strewn arroyos.
