Although by no means their most expensive vehicle, the German brand Volkswagen consider the ID.3 electric car to be of as much importance as the legendary Beetle because it demonstrates a sea-change in how this company builds cars. The Volkswagen ID.3 is the brand’s first purpose-built electric car and it has been one of the more successful of the new generation EV models. Now it is getting even better.
The second-generation of the ID.3 continues the success story of the VW ID. collection. The design of this soon to be released new version has matured and the materials in the interior have been significantly upgraded. The new ID.3 demonstrates, say the company, their commitment to quality, design and operability. With this new car they have, it seems, listened to their customers.
On The Outside
With a sharpened design and improved slippery aerodynamics, the exterior of this all-electric compact model is quite eye-catching. This demonstrates that this new generation of EV’s are much more than old designs remodelled for the electric future. The body features optimised air-cooling openings and large painted surfaces to make the front appear more assertive from every angle. One reason for this is the new bumper. The bonnet now appears longer because the black strip under the windscreen has been removed and recessed sections at the sides additionally extend the front.
VW has optimised the aerodynamics by improved air flow around the front wheels – known as the “air curtain”. At the rear, the two-part tail lights also feature in the rear lid for the first time. Our images show the car as it will be sold.
On The Inside
The earlier model received a little criticism for lacking that premium touch buyers expect from VW. That’s changed now with the new ID.3 offering superior quality, with sustainable and animal-free materials. The interior of the new ID.3 combines modern design with precise seams in a contrasting colour which additionally enhance the feeling of quality.
VW uses a mysteriously named microfibre material called ‘Artvelours Eco’ for the door trims and seat covers, a fabric that contains 71 per cent recycled material called ‘recyclate’. This is a secondary raw material that is obtained by recycling plastic that has previously been disposed of as waste at least once. Artvelours Eco has the same characteristics in terms of look and feel and durability as conventional new materials.
In addition, numerous suggestions from customers were collected and implemented as product improvements and to enhance the standard equipment package. Soft, foam-backed surfaces in the cockpit create a new haptic (which means nice to touch) experience. The remodelled interior door trims also have softer and larger surfaces.
Operation they say comes with the latest software generation. This improves system performance and is able to receive over-the-air updates. The compact driver display with a screen diagonal of 5.3 inches is operated on the multifunction steering wheel. The middle of the console accommodates the now standard 12 inch touch display for the navigation system, telephone functions, media, assist systems and vehicle settings. This touchscreen now has a new layout which is clearer, with the charging menu now located on the first level of the touch display.
The optional augmented reality head-up display projects information such as the vehicle speed and dynamic navigation instructions onto the windscreen. For the driver, this information appears to be 10 metres in front of the vehicle – displayed with the correct perspective and clearly readable.
Also optional is the Travel Assist feature which is now available in the ID.3. In combination with the adaptive cruise control for longitudinal vehicle control from 0 km/h up to the top speed and Lane Assist for lateral control, this driver assist system can make use of two proven systems that are fully integrated with one another in the new ID.3.
Charging
Charging is easier and even more convenient with the new ID.3, thanks to standard functions such as Plug & Charge – where the vehicle authenticates itself and starts the charging process when the charging cable is plugged in at a charging station. There’s also an intelligent Electric Vehicle Route Planner. On longer journeys, the Electric Vehicle Route Planner calculates charging stops so that the destination can be reached as quickly as possible – using current traffic information and forecasts in addition to the battery charge level.
The charging stops are evaluated dynamically on the basis of the capacity of the individual charging stations. This means that the route planning function may suggest two short charging operations with high power instead of a single long charging stop with low power. In addition, the system detects charging stations that are occupied – and does not suggest them in the first place. If it’s accurate, this is a fantastic idea. Hopefully it means not arriving at a charging point only to find a queue.
On The Road
With normal eco-style driving the old model could manage around 200 miles on a charge, depending upon all the usual factors. This new car will they say improve quite dramatically on that and over 300 miles is spoken off confidently. Again circumstances will dictate but it suggests that for all but the longest of journeys, an overnight charge might well be all that is needed.
So, a substantial driving range and fast charging capability, this seems to be an electric car that would be suitable for many people to use every day without much need to make big adjustments to existing routines. Driving the existing model is simple and performance is suitably brisk. Maybe electric cars are really starting to come of age. The new Volkswagen ID.3 is due to go on sale in August this year so why not get in touch with us here at MHH and find out how to import this car or other Volkswagen models from the UK using our tried and tested comprehensive service.
