Volkswagen has opened the order books for its ID. 3, with the pure-electric hatchback pitched as the next key chapter in the company’s history; as important for VW as the Beetle and Golf in the past.
The UK will get the ID 3 1st Plus trim initially, which features a 58 kWh battery, and a range of 261 miles on a single charge (WLTP). Charging can be carried out at speeds of 100-125 kW via CCS, and the first ID. 3’s will roll off the production line at the end of the year. Deliveries are expected from summer 2020.
A launch edition ID. 3 1st will be the initial offering from VW, with 30,000 of these special edition models available across Europe. The UK’s pick of the ID. 3 1st Plus will come well equipped, and include features such as IQ. Light, a bi-colour design inside and out, and voice control for systems such as the navigation, and there’s also an ID. 3 1st Max edition available in other markets.
The ID. 3 is the first model to come along in VW’s ID. all-electric sub-brand, with a further 20 electric models in development from the company. Plans are to deliver 100,000 ID. 3’s in 2020, increasing to an average of 110,000 a year thereafter.
Three battery sizes will be available after the launch edition, with ranges varying from 205 miles to 341 miles. Prices are unconfirmed for the UK market yet, but German buyers will see the ID. 3 range start at under €30,000, and less than €40,000 for the ID. 3 1st edition. Both prices are excluding any grants.
Volkswagen is offering ID. 3 1st buyers 2,000 kWh free public charging for the first year able to be use by the We Charge app, and the IONITY ultra-rapid charging network.
A huge focus on sustainability has been factored in to the ID. 3’s development, with those unavoidable emissions created during the production process of both battery and car off-set by climate projects. Where possible, renewable energy sources are used throughout the manufacturing process.
Predicted running costs will be around 30% less than a conventional petrol or diesel car. Thanks to improved packaging options because of the electric-developed platform and motors, the ID. 3 will be the size of a Golf, but boast interior space closer to that of a Passat in the class above.
Customers can place a £750 deposit now for a non-binding spot in the queue, and the ordering process for customers is set to start after the car’s official launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Pre-booking is available in 29 European markets, with the UK one of the key customer bases for VW. An allocation for the region hasn’t been decided.
