I kinda like this car, it is quite stylish for a VW and it sought of brings in a new kind of element to the medium hatch market, instead of a Golf someone can buy this instead.
From AMS:
Volkswagen shows the first model of the ID family undisguised at the IAA 2019. The compact electric car ID.3 should cost less than 30,000 euros. Order starts in May 2019, production starts in November and market launch is in June 2020. All information and first cockpit images from ID.3.
In 2016, Volkswagen had the ID at the Paris Motor Show. first presented the study of a compact electric car. The 4.10 meter long four-door model was based on the Modular Electrical Construction Kit (MEB) and was powered by a 140 kW rear engine. The range should be at 600 kilometers (NEDC). Now, three years later, the I D.3 is about to be launched - as a completely new development. In the meantime, the almost 40,000 Euro introductory version ID.3 1st can be pre-ordered - 1,000 Euro deposit required. In front of the public, Volkswagen is showing the (probably still camouflaged) production car for the first time as part of the DFB Cup final on 25 May between FC Bayern and RB Leipzig.
VW ID.3 - the electric golf for millions
The compact electric car is a complete new development. Only the 12-volt battery, various hinges and the door handles come from the corporate shelf. For Volkswagen, the model is the first in the electric mobility, because by 2030, the Group wants 70 electrically powered model on offer and 22 million electric cars have sold - most based on the MEB. VW is aiming for sales of 100,000 ID.3s in its first full year of production in 2020 .
The 30,000 "1st" models with the medium 45 kWh battery for up to 420 kilometers WLTP range are expected to be sold out to debut at the IAA in September 2019, although only private individuals are allowed to access and each only one May secure copy. VW offers three versions: In the standard configuration, the ID.3 1st brings big wheels, voice control voice control, a navigation system and free recharge for one year or up to 2,000 kWh. The above-positioned ID.3 1st Plus also comes with LED matrix headlights (IQ Light) and a two-color finish. The top version ID.3 1st Max is also equipped with a large panoramic glass roof and head-up display with augmented reality elements.
Only the 1st edition, then the regular ID.3
Only when the 1st series is sold off, follow the freely configurable ID.3 models, then with the other battery options. This should make the complexity of the production startup in the Zwickau plant manageable for VW. So one could estimate the sizes and processes and thus ensure the necessary quality.
For the expected quantities, the platform must be designed accordingly. The Wolfsburg has invested six billion euros in the MEB and has been inspired by the success of the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB). As with the conventional drive platform, many different vehicles from other VW brands can be built on the MEB platform. So run next to the ID. in Zwickau also the compact electric crossover Q4 E-Tron from Audi and the production version of the Seat El Born from the band, a Skoda counterpart is created in the Czech Republic.
Low center of gravity, flat bottom
The scalable battery of the MEB in the basic version of the ID.3 has a capacity of at least 45 kWh (net) and weighs 480 kg, but grows in the ID. Buzz about to 111 kWh. The MEB design provides for the heavy battery in the vehicle floor between the axles, which reduces the center of gravity, keeps the vehicle floor flat, and provides bodywork with short overhangs and a long wheelbase. 4.25 meters measures the ID. in length, the wheelbase is about 2.70 meters. One disadvantage of the concept, however: Because the battery is 14 inches high, VW's electric compact car is twelve inches higher than the Golf 8: 1.58 instead of 1.46 meters. The space offered by the MEB cars should be a class better than the exterior size - and a high seating position is already in fashion anyway.
Advantage for the space economy: The engine in the rear makes the propeller shaft superfluous. The electric motor is attached to a subframe on the rear axle. There, the traction should also be sufficient for the high starting torque of the synchronous machine. The weight distribution is balanced according to VW, exactly 50:50. In addition, the kit also offers an all-wheel option via a second electric motor (asynchronous) on the front axle. The ID.3 carries a four-link axle construction with tie rods, the front McPherson struts are housed. Contact with the road is maintained by 18-inch aerodynamically-lined alloy wheels, with an optional 20-inch counter.
Range up to 500 kilometers
In terms of drive, a 125 kW version with 45 kWh battery is the basic version. Further, stronger models can and will follow. The rear axle tolerates 150 kW, at the front it may be up to 75 kW in addition - but not the ID.3. The entry-level model of the ID.3 with its more than 300 Nm torque in less than eight seconds to 100 paces and a maximum speed of at least 180 km / h.
Who drives VW's E-Golf but so forward, which should run out in terms of range quickly run out of steam. Volkswagen offers three battery variants and communicates their net capacity in contrast to the competition. The data are: 45 (net) and 48 kWh for 330 kilometers WLTP range, 58 and 62 kWh for a maximum of 420 kilometers and 77 and 82 kWh for a maximum of 550 kilometers. VW gives the battery eight years or 160,000 kilometers warranty. The charging takes place via a type 2 charging connection with 11 kW alternating current. 80 percent charge will be achieved in four to six hours. Faster with a 3-phase CCS DC connector, which is designed for up to 125 kW. Here the fast charge takes only minutes.
Study is almost the same series
Despite its camouflage, the body of the VW ID.3 on Erlkönig photos canalready be seen. From the front, the cooler face falls on the VW design boss Klaus Bishop as the rear engine as "back to the roots" sees, because the beetle thanks to the rear engine (as the ID.) Front hardly had air intakes. The shape of the headlights is known from the concept car: From the inside Spitz runs a narrow white light strip over the whole front. The logo in its middle is new and illuminated in many markets, but certainly not in German. Here is a luminescent logo as advertising and is not allowed. The new logo is reduced in shape , easier to read and usually white. Chrome or metal is only available in a few exceptional places.
The rear is edgier than the concept car in memory, the taillights very angular; they stand a little beyond the lateral body edge, as a spoiler lip. The roof is always black (glass roof). Fittingly, the tailgate made of plastic is always black down to the bumper. In the side view, the Erlkönigen also recognize the characteristic creases in the window line, which already bore the study. However, there are still conventional rearview mirrors that stand on the door sill.
Interior like the BMW i3
The interior is reminiscent of BMW's i3. In front of the comparatively conventional-looking, but white steering wheel with touch controls, the display stands for the digital instruments. They can move forward 15 centimeters further away from the driver compared to the Golf because the disc also moves far forward because that does not prevent a drive unit here. On the side of the instrument panel, a quadrangular control element is mounted at an angle. It replaces the gear selector lever. Push forwards, insert "D", pull backwards "R", then push on side "P". On the pedals the symbols for play and pause are engraved. Because the lack of combustion front leaves a lot of space, could here a beer box sized unit for an augmented head-up display space. It projects the usual information like speed etc. below and can continue to show action instructions in front of the hood, such as animated blue arrows as a turn request of the Navis. Visually, the symbols are located about ten meters in front of the car.
In the middle of the dashboard stands also freestanding, easily turned to the driver an approximately 10-inch touch screen with touch sliders for the climate settings underneath. Here are also the online services for which you look like Apple with a VW ID. logs in, retrieve. Via the online connection, over the air updates can also be loaded or vehicle functions can be booked. The ID.3 can also be brought to the dealer in the very latest software version. He also handles the delivery, whereby first-time customers can specify a wish representation when they pre-order. Volkswagen has signed new contracts with its dealers for this variant.
Between the seats, a large compartment offers storage space even for the handbag, in front of it the mobile phone can be accommodated and can be charged inductively, in front of it there are two cup holders. The subsequent vertical surface of the center console is eliminated.
Voice Control with running light
And what does the VW ID.3 cost? VW decided early on: The ID.-Family wants to democratize electromobility. The ID.3 should once cost as much as a comparable Golf with diesel engine. This is probably nothing: The price remains indeed just under 30,000 euros (29,990 euros), but is on the level of a fully equipped Golf TDI. For it should be much cheaper in maintenance. VW estimates that maintenance costs will be around 70 percent lower compared to a gasoline car.
CONCLUSION
VW is serious about electromobility. The Group is committed to CO2 neutrality for 2050 as stipulated in the Paris Climate Agreement. This also means that VW will discontinue the sale of models with combustion engine 2040.
So it is clear that the electric VW in Golf size may not be much more expensive than its diesel counterpart. Even that requires concessions from the buyers, because the real range will not make the entry-level version a full-value car - and the fast-charging infrastructure will not be enough for long trips, especially at the beginning.
On the other hand: Most people drive 80 percent not more than 60 kilometers a day and that puts the ID. cheaper, quieter and more environmentally friendly back. How good he can, we could already guess on a first test drive in a pre-production model .
