The electric Volkswagen ID.3 marks Volkswagen's comeback
For those who can't wait for the end, the Volkswagen ID.3 electric, in a nutshell, is :
- The electric Volkswagen ID.3 is available with three battery packs: 45 kWh, 58 kWh and 77 kWh for respective ranges of 330 km, 420 km and 550 km.
- Over 500 kmrange for the Pro S version
- A starting price of €29,900 for the Pure version (excluding environmental bonus)
- First deliveries scheduled before summer 2020, but already available for pre-order
- The battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160,000 km
Volkswagen's comeback
The ID.3 is a crucial car for Volkswagen, which is back in the spotlight after the e-Golf. At the same time, the German manufacturer is also counting on the launch of its Volkswagen e-crafter to appeal to the professional market.
"Volkswagen, in literal translation, means people's car, and that's exactly what we want to achieve with the Volkswagen ID.3 electric, i.e. a more accessible electric car" according to Volkswagen Marketing Director Géraldine Ingham.
The electric compact has everything to please, and production has already begun at the Zwickau plant in Germany. When the announcement was made, Volkswagen had already received over 30,000 pre-orders.
ID.3 in the spotlight
Volkswagen hopes to add personality to its ID.3 electric car by using a light bar to communicate with you and your passengers. It's an idea you've already seen in the 3-door Mini, which uses lighting to communicate what it's doing to its passengers - a bit like a chameleon that changes color according to how it feels.
In theID.3, an LED strip light - called ID. The light, which runs across the dashboard, changes color depending on the function into which it is inserted. A green light, for example, signals to the driver that the car is switched on, charged and ready to start - a handy feature that replaces the buzzing petrol or diesel engine found in most VWs. Once you're underway, the same light bar will be used to communicate information on driver assistance, navigation, braking and the car's wireless telephone connection.
The effect, according to Volkswagen, is to reduce the stress of driving by giving signals to which you can react instinctively, letting your brain worry about driving the car. For example, a red light will tell you that you need to brake - it flashes as you approach a potential collision - and could also tell you that you're in the wrong lane for your turn-off, so you don't need to sit looking at the navigation screen, while another new color could indicate whether the car is responding to your or your passengers' voice commands and acting accordingly.
How much does the electric Volkswagen ID.3 cost?
The electric Volkswagen ID.3 is already available for pre-order. It has already generated over 30,000 pre-orders in Europe. But you'll have to wait a little longer to receive it. The first models will be delivered in summer. Prices vary according to trim level:
- 29,990 for the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure (excluding environmental bonus)
- 40,000 for the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro (excluding environmental bonus)
- 50,000 for the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S (excluding environmental bonus)
Beev offers multi-brand 100% electric vehicles at the best prices, as well as recharging solutions.
Volkswagen ID.3 2020 Specifications
The electric Volkswagen ID.3 will be available with three powertrains:
- A "small" 48 kWh battery for 230 to 330 km of range
- Average 58 kWh battery for 300 to 420 km of range
- Large 77 kWh battery for 390 to 550 km range
💡 Good to know, effective range depends on driving style, speed, consumption of comfort/accessory equipment, outside temperature, number of passengers/cargo, and topography.
Whichever model you choose, you can fully recharge your electric Volkswagen ID.3 overnight or during the working day using the wallbox of 11 kWh. In France, 95% of recharges take place at home or at the workplace.
For rapid recharging, you can recover 80% of the battery in just 35 minutes with a 125 kWh charger. Volkswagen also innovates through partnerships and its own investments in charging points. You'll find fast-charging stations at many Volkswagen dealerships and automotive partners, at service stations...
In total, Volkswagen plans to build 36,000 additional charging points across Europe by 2025, including 3,000 at Volkswagen dealerships. You'll also have access to IONITY 125 kWh chargers.
For the faint-hearted, the Volkswagen ID.3 electric's battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160,000 km, which is not to be underestimated.
READ OUR DOSSIER - How long does an electric car battery last?
2020 Volkswagen ID.3 styling
The Volkswagen ID.3 electric looks like an elegant minivan or small sedan, thanks to its folded-down windscreen and straight, van-like roofline.
Although the styling is not atypical, there are many clues that the ID.3 is not a classic thermal car. The all-new design is reflected in the interior, which is futuristic, comfortable and uncluttered. The seats are inviting and offer plenty of legroom. The central transmission tunnel has been eliminated, and a large touchscreen has been installed, in addition to ID.Light and ambient lighting that you can adapt to suit your mood.
You'll also notice the panoramic roof and large windows, which should give you excellent visibility when driving and give the car a light, airy feel. At the rear, between the roof and the wheels, the "C" pillars feature a diamond-shaped honeycomb pattern that's meant to reflect the ID.3's durable, stable design.
If you look closely, you'll also see taillights that wrap around the rear of the car.
Dimensions of the Volkswagen ID.3 electric
If you look closely, you'll also see taillights that wrap around the rear of the car.
The ID.3 is 4261 mm long, 1809 mm wide and 1552 mm high, which means it's 3 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 60 mm higher than a Golf. Because of its batteries, it also weighs around 200 kg more than a Golf, and its boot capacity ranges from 416 to 541 liters, slightly more than that of a Golf. The turning radius is 10.2 m, which is not only better than a Golf, but also narrower than the Volkswagen Polo.
The interior of the electric Volkswagen ID.3
The Volkswagen ID.3 features two large infotainment screens. The first is similar to the screen currently available on the Volkswagen Golf. The intelligent navigation system records frequent destinations and preferred routes. The system informs you of traffic disruptions and suggests alternative routes without you having to re-enter your destination. It projects satellite navigation information directly onto the windscreen, in your field of vision. This allows you to devote your full attention to the road ahead.
The other screen is a floating touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. You can expect it to be compatible with smartphones and to include voice commands too. It will be able to provide detailed analysis of the car and driving parameters, while allowing you to plan longer journeys using charging stations along the way. The ID.3 has very few buttons.
Finally, the electric Volkswagen ID.3 remains a Volkswagen with a high-quality interior. Switchable ambient lighting will be on the options list, allowing you to bathe the interior in a colorful glow. But unlike the previous version, it will be interactive. So, for example, full air-conditioning can illuminate the interior with a cool, blue light, while increasing the heating output can do the opposite, producing a warm, log-fire glow.
This is it! You now know all about the electric Volkswagen ID.3 scheduled for 2020.
