Volkswagen has announced the launch of the updated version of its popular ID.3 electric vehicle. The new model features a refreshed design, higher-quality materials, and the latest-generation assist systems, making it a significant improvement over its predecessor. The ID.3 is Volkswagen's best-selling electric model, and the company hopes the updates will help maintain its popularity. The news does make you wonder how much ‘old stock' is still in the channel, and if there will be deals to be had with the previous design.
The launch of a new shape from any major manufacturer, has the uncanny ability to instantly make every previous model look old/out-dated. At the time of purchase, the buyer who gets the new look will get an extra ‘boost of confidence' inside – and those who bought the last of the previous era will get an immediate sense of disappointment. Although clearly psychological, there is a ‘strong logic' underpinning that feeling that you have, somehow, made a mistake – and that is ‘re-sale value'. As more and more EVs come into the market, we know that the second hand market will be booming by 2025. At that point, the ability to say, ‘refresh' or ‘facelift' model when selling your old car – will actually put significantly more money in your pocket.
The development cycle is so quick with modern electronics and powertrain design, that today's ID.3 will provide much more than a simple facelift. The company is offering a ‘live tour‘ to help you decide if the new version is right for you.
The new ID.3 boasts a sharper exterior design and a more sumptuous interior. It augments that by featuring more intuitive day-to-day usability features and state-of-the-art technology.
The exterior of the vehicle has been given a fresh new look, with a front that features crisp lines, enlarged air intakes, and a longer-looking bonnet through the removal of the black strip beneath the windscreen.
The range of exterior colours has also been extended to include Dark Olivine Green (khaki?), and the use of animal-free materials underlines Volkswagen's sustainability strategy for its all-electric ID family.
Two battery sizes and trims are available: the 58 kWh Pro and the 77 kWh Pro S.
The addition of the letter ‘S' is a big deal. Not only do you get a larger battery, you also get a much faster DC charging capability with the ID.3 Pro S. It can be charged from five to 80 per cent within 30 minutes with a charging capacity of up to 170 kW, while the ID.3 Pro needs 35 minutes with a charging capacity of up to 120 kW. The large battery gives the ID.3 Pro S a predicted range of close to 347 miles (combined WLTP).
The new model also marks the introduction of option packs, which are available for both trims and group together popular options according to personal preferences. The Exterior Pack, for example, allows new two-part LED tail light clusters on the tailgate instead of reflectors.
According to Volkswagen, they have ‘listened to customer feedback' regarding the ID.3's interior, resulting in a sumptuous finish with soft, foam-backed touchpoints throughout the cabin. The interior is also completely animal-free: the Artvelours Eco microfibre material used for the door trims and seat covers is 71-per-cent recyclate – a secondary raw material obtained by recycling plastic waste that has previously been disposed of at least once.
Phil Taylor, Head of Product Planning at Volkswagen UK, said: “The new ID.3 marks the next exciting step in Volkswagen's electrification journey. This fantastic car, with its numerous improvements, demonstrates clearly our commitment to value, design, and sustainability.”
The ID.3 was the first model to be built on Volkswagen Group's modular electric drive (MEB) platform. The ID. family in the UK now also includes the ID.4, ID.5, and ID. Buzz, with more models coming soon such as the ID.7 and a production version of the ID. 2all concept. Overall, Volkswagen's electric products have proven popular – with more than 600,000 ID cars having been delivered to customers around the world already.
The recommended retail price, including VAT and on the road, for the new Volkswagen ID.3 starts from £37,115. The car can be ordered from Volkswagen UK Retailers from Thursday, 27 April. Volkswagen is consistently advancing its further development into the most desirable brand for sustainable mobility with its ACCELERATE strategy.
Three years ago, we reported that VW was going to be pushing ID.3 models for less than £30,000. Clearly that strategy got lost somewhere between the marketing team and the ID sales department. The ID.3 brand seems to have been allowed to ‘float' up to find a price position in the market where profitability is strongest. Nothing wrong with companies wanting to make a profit, but it does make you wonder how long this kind of ‘premium pricing' can persist for relatively small four-door cars.
If you're OK driving yesterday's model, then there could be deals to be had from dealers across the country – especially on ‘demo models' with ‘delivery mileage'.