The Petersen Automotive Museum Adds VW ID.4 That Competed At Baja To Collection

Volkswagen and The Petersen Automotive Museum announced today that the ID.4 off-road concept that competed at the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road race in Baja California will be added to the museum’s “Building an Electric Future” exhibit.

The exhibit opened to the public in November 2019 and celebrates Volkswagen’s history. It is made up of five rooms that showcase how the automaker’s MEB platform was engineered, a variety of the models that will be built on the platform, and how the vehicles will be assembled. Each room is complemented by a multimedia feature to help visitors better understand what is being presented to them.

“’Building an Electric Future’ gives a behind-the-scenes look at making the new age of electric and autonomous mobility happen,” said Klaus Zyciora, Head of Design, Volkswagen Group. “It shows varying perspectives from the point of view of the designer, the manufacturer, and the consumer.”

As the first production-based EV to ever race at the NORRA Mexican 1000, the ID.4 off-road concept fits right into the exhibit where it will be shown. Although the powertrain remained stock for the race, the EV was modified by Rhys Millen to feature a roll cage, of course, as well as coil over struts, tubular lower control arms at the front, boxed lower rear links, skid plates, a raised radiator, and more. In all, it got a 2-inch lift to help it deal with the rugged terrain.

And it worked, the ID.4 was one of just 64 vehicles to finish the race this year. It did so with driver Tanner Foust at the wheel alongside navigator Emme Hall.

Volkswagen’s “Building an Electric Future” exhibit is the feature installation in the Petersen Museum‘s “Driving Toward Tomorrow” series, which highlights the wider industry’s work on the future of transportation.

“The ’Building an Electric Future’ exhibit is a prime example of the future of mobility through the eyes of the world’s largest automobile manufacturer,” said Petersen Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “We are proud to present this exhibit with Volkswagen and ignite a conversation about the impact of an electrified future. We hope it inspires museum guests to think critically about the cars of tomorrow and the challenges manufacturers are facing to design them.”