New Volkswagen ID.3 ....What a Star !
Volkswagen was the star of the show in Frankfurt, their launch of the new all electric I.D.3 was a breakthrough. The first all electric people’s car.
I was fortunate to gain an interview with two representatives of the Volkswagen factory, both had spent a lot of time working on the new Golfesque ID.3 and strangely enough were quite passionate about the new car.
The car is full of technology and more importantly than that it’s very intuitive technology.
They told me that the customer was in the centre of everything they did and importantly, though statistics show that the average distance travelled per day is 40kms the new ID.3 will drive anywhere between 330kms > 550kms depending on specification.
• Long range: scalable battery system offers ranges of up to 550 kilometres.
At series production launch the ID.3 will be available with three battery sizes.
The ID.3 1ST special edition model is based on the mid-range battery variant with 58 kWh. It will be complemented by a basic variant at a later point. Its battery delivers a usable energy content of 45 kWh and enables an electrically powered range of up to 330 kilometres as per WLTP. The largest battery variant’s actually usable energy content is 77 kWh and the electrically powered range is up to 550 kilometres as per WLTP. https://wltpfacts.eu/what-is-wltp-how-will-it-work/
• Short charge: recharge around 290 kilometres of range (WLTP) in 30 minutes with 100 kW charging output. ( whilst at the show I had a coffee on the VW Stand and whilst drinking it and talking about the car a large display on the wall showed how much the car would have charged during that time…80% Charged during my coffee break or around 250kms worth of travel on the basic car…not bad. )
• Electric mobility for all: the basic version of the ID.3 is priced at under €30,000.
• Sustainable mobility: battery, supply chain, production – the ID.3 is delivered to customers as the first Volkswagen product with a CO2-neutral balance
• Design of an electrifying future: perfect form and seamless aesthetics bring new design quality to the compact vehicle category.
A high-light of the matrix LED headlights is when drivers approach a parked ID.3 ,its headlights will briefly look at them and “flutter the eyelids” – friendly and with a human touch.
• Revolutionary interior: the ID.3’s Open Space concept offers more room than any other vehicle in its category and sets new standards.
The ID.3 interacts with the driver and the environment. Drivers will intuitively and immediately know what is what within the cockpit. Apart from the display in the cockpit, a newly developed, centrally positioned, ten-inch touch display provides drivers with all important information.I.D. Light supports drivers with an LED strip during navigation and can, for instance, prompt them to brake in the event of any dangers. All controls –including those on the electrically adjustable multifunction steering wheel – are operated using touch functions featuring touch-sensitive buttons. Only the electric windows and hazard warning lights are still operated using tactile switches. This is supplemented by intelligent natural voice control. Thanks to App-Connect, you can connect the ID.3 to a smartphone within seconds.
• Intuitive operation: easier than ever – drivers immediately know what’s what.
• Fantastic performance: MEB guarantees ideal weight distribution and dynamic vehicle handling thanks to rear-wheel drive.
• Maximum safety: numerous assist systems guarantee maximum safety and convenience.
All in all an important and (without driving the car) a game changing all electric vehicle and at the prices presently quoted it all seems pretty reasonable…. let’s hope this car is a great success !