Don't know. Does a magnet stick to it?

I vaguely recall a diagram showing the various grades of steel in various spots, but I don't recall how detailed it is.

 

See the NTHSA sticky post where this is from:

The battery housing is made of aluminium. Reinforcements have been installed inside the housing to provide the battery modules with the best possible
protection in the event of an accident, both in the longitudinal and the lateral directions. There are additional lateral reinforcements below the housing.
The housing is surrounded by solid extruded aluminium profiles.

 

Thanks.

I knew it wasnt plastic- I remember Munro going on about how he could "improve" it.

 

There's a thread here somewhere showing some major damage to the bottom battery casing. Like serious and permanent indentations. The driver ran over some large object that really did a number on the case. It looked like the case was made of metal to me. Unfortunately I can't find the thread now but there were graphic photos of the damage.

 

It is mostly aluminum. There are dummy battery cases around the plant that are in various states of “openness”. They have a honeycomb of sorts on the inside to add strength and rigidity. Not a true honeycomb, but it does have various struts and rails to reinforce. Fairly heavy.

 

Dummy battery cases around the plant? Is that like "ugly bags of mostly water?"

For our British members that's Al-lew-min-ee-umm.

 

Furthermore where can I learn all of the boring details about the ID4? Like, I want to know as much as a technician even if I never make a single repair, I’m just that interested in the details.

In addition to the other resources, you may wish to consider a short subscription to erWin - I geeked out on this before my car arrived.

It allows you to download technician documentation, as well as a configuration sheet for your VIN.

erWin Online | Volkswagen of America | Purchase Subscription

erwin.vw.com

 

The car used in the Rebelle Rally had custom skid plates.

This company makes Telsa skid plates and will probably make ID.4 versions at some point. Maybe some phone calls would encourage them?

 

Thank you, everyone. I am going to download the technical manuals and really nerd out.

 

Well, it happened to me today. I took bad way to driver over a rough gravel road embankment and I centered a rock about in the middle (driver side) of the undercarriage battery shield. It appears to be made of aluminum 1/4" thick or thereabouts. The dent is about 1/2" deep over a 3" or so area (see picture)

Unfortunately the picture seems to exaggerate the depth of the dent but I think it is enough to touch the inner battery cage. Under closer inspection it seems as though there is a significant gap between the inside of the protective plate and the inside (or secondary) battery cage. I will check with my local VW shop regarding possible issues but aside from having a dent - all seems fine.... for now.

Anyone with experience, thoughts or suggestions?

 

Sorry this happened to you but thanks for sharing these details

 

The term “SUV” no longer has much meaning. The ID.4 isn’t an SUV in any meaningful way. It may resemble one in dimensions and appearance, but an extra 0.6” of ground clearance and 2 drive motors does not an SUV make.

I know. Not helpful to OP. Sorry.

But Mr. Obvious notes that owners should remember this vehicle is not designed for any real off-road driving conditions where solid objects are likely to contact the underbelly.

 

The term “SUV” no longer has much meaning. The ID.4 isn’t an SUV in any meaningful way. It may resemble one in dimensions and appearance, but an extra 0.6” of ground clearance and 2 drive motors does not an SUV make.

I know. Not helpful to OP. Sorry.

But Mr. Obvious notes that owners should remember this vehicle is not designed for any real off-road driving conditions where solid objects are likely to contact the underbelly.

Thankfully the ID.4 is a "CUV." I don't like the boxy height of most SUV's.

As well my former Audi allroad was really for most-but-not-all roads and not really off-road. And that had 8" clearance and Quattro. Although in a pinch, with proper tires and lower torque, both the ID.4 and allroad can impress.

Sorry to read @Roamer105

 

Thankfully the ID.4 is a "CUV." I don't like the boxy height of most SUV's.

As well my former Audi allroad was really for most-but-not-all roads and not really off-road. And that had 8" clearance and Quattro. Although in a pinch, with proper tires and lower torque, both the ID.4 and allroad can impress.

Sorry to read @Roamer105

We (at least some of us) may know the ID.4 is a CUV, but apparently VW doesn't.

2024 VW ID.4 Electric SUV | Volkswagen

Discover the VW ID.4 2024 model, our fully electric crossover SUV. This sporty EV features ample space and tech features all at an approachable cost.

www.vw.com

Stylish, roomy, fun, electric
SUV smarter

Assembled locally in Chattanooga, TN the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 EV SUV is truly something to behold.

 

We (at least some of us) may know the ID.4 is a CUV, but apparently VW doesn't.

2024 VW ID.4 Electric SUV | Volkswagen

Discover the VW ID.4 2024 model, our fully electric crossover SUV. This sporty EV features ample space and tech features all at an approachable cost.

www.vw.com

Stylish, roomy, fun, electric
SUV smarter

Assembled locally in Chattanooga, TN the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 EV SUV is truly something to behold.

“Crossover from ICE to a Battery Electric Crossover Utility Vehicle” would just be too much for the masses to interpret, so …..

 

I’m old school on the true definition of an SUV. My 1993 Pathfinder with manual, AWD with a locking differential and shiftable low range etc was an SUV. A VW Touareg 4XMotion is an SUV. A Touareg 4Motion is lesser, but arguably still an SUV (has a driveshaft).

4Motion Tiguans or Atlases are CUVs. The current ID.4 isn’t even in the same ballpark as a real SUV.

 

4Motion Tiguans or Atlases are CUVs.

A close friend has a Tiguan and to me definitely an SUV compared to the ID.4 CUV. Did all the size/volume comparisons early on in my ownership and surprisingly the ID.4 has roughly the useful load capacity excepting some height. But again in a more pleasing to me lower CUV form-factor, so a welcome tradeoff.

The Atlas (as in globe-supporting Titan) is a Huge SUV imho!

The "sport" in Sport Utility Vehicle is most often ill-applied anyway. "Crossover", from sedan to utility vehicle, makes more parlance sense. But then marketeers rarely let logic get in their way. 🤷‍♂️

 

Sorry this happened to you but thanks for sharing these details

Update: I have been watching battery details (OBD2 dongle) for a while since that accident. Apparently there is no effect on any of it by the dent in the underbelly. I went for a 240 mile hot day road trip with one fast charge (39%->76%) in it and multiple passes with significant elevation changes (+/- 3000 feet) and mixed roads including highway (75+ MPH). The consumption was very good (3.5 miles/KW) over the full trip (with 540lb payload and AC running 100% of time). No codes and no cell issues, coolant leaks or sudden change in capacity. I am going to take another trip tomorrow (230 miles) over an 10,600 foot mountain pass road and one planned (+16%) fast charge about 2/3 into the trip after the pass. I am not expecting any issues with the battery. It looks like there is an intentional gap (not sure how big of a gap) between the underbelly battery protection plate and the actual battery cage. That is a relief. I have not taken it to the shop yet.

 

Just for clarity, the underbelly is dented, but not pierced through?

 

Not pierced just dented. See picture in my initial post. The underbelly plate has many holes most likely for cooling.

 

Nice trip today: 200 miles with no recharge and leaving my house at 83%. The trip took me up to almost 10,000 feet over windy roads - and yes, some dirt roads in-between - in addition some congested urban areas along with a good portion on 75MPH highway. I ended up with 3.8 miles/KW for that trip. No complaints.
After all these miles I have no doubt that the dent in the underbelly protection plate is "just a dent" - no harm done.

 

Everyone takes a big dump on the 2021-2022 ID.4 because of the software and some big misses like no battery preconditioning and the wretched lack of communication to owners. However, IMO little things like this gap between the plating and the battery harness, or the fact that the car is screwed together and not glued, all add up to make a better vehicle. Sadly, these are boring things no one cares about and prolonged recalls and missed software updates leave such a bad taste in owners' mouths there is not much that can be done to reverse opinion.

 

Everyone takes a big dump on the 2021-2022 ID.4 because of the software and some big misses like no battery preconditioning and the wretched lack of communication to owners. However, IMO little things like this gap between the plating and the battery harness, or the fact that the car is screwed together and not glued, all add up to make a better vehicle. Sadly, these are boring things no one cares about and prolonged recalls and missed software updates leave such a bad taste in owners' mouths there is not much that can be done to reverse opinion.

Yes and I think we all generally appreciate that it is a well built vehicle, from a manufacturer who well knows how to do so. That leaves only the software shortcomings to dump on.

 

The ID.4 relatively long wheelbase and relatively limited ground clearance don’t work to its advantage in the roughest terrain.

But I like that someone is exploring its limits in that regard.

 

Yes! it is not so much the rutted roads. If one has off pavement driving experience (and I do) one knows how to straddle certain situations to avoid ground contact. However, the break-over is bad on the ID.4 because of low clearance and significant wheel base. Attack and departure angles are quite good.

 

Still, compared to the Tesla model 3 or Mercedes EQE that actually caught fire, the ground clearance of ID.4 is kind of safer?