- The ID.3 is the first fully electric model based on the new MEB platform.
- Claimed electric range between 330 and 550 kilometres
- Will go on sale by mid-2020.
Volkswagen has been busy grinding gears with its electrification programme for a few years already. Now, the first fruit of its electrification push will be seen at upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, where the ID.3 will break cover as the German carmaker’s first all-electric vehicle.
We have seen the ID.3 undergoing testing on many occasions and this Golf-sized electric hatchback has also been previewed in the ID Concept. It is based on the specially developed MEB (modular electric drive matrix) which will also underpin all the upcoming electric cars under Volkswagen Group umbrella.
The ID.3 has three different battery sizes available – 77kWh large battery pack, 58kWh medium-sized battery pack, and 45kWh small battery pack. A range between 330-550 kilometres is claimed under the WLTP cycle, depending on the battery size. Meanwhile, a quick charging facility will enable 290 kilometres of charge in just 30 minutes (at 100kW charging capacity). Volkswagen will also guarantee on the ID batteries for eight years or 160,000 kilometres. Power output will be rated at around 150kW (200bhp) sent to rear-wheels only.
According to the German carmaker, the ID.3 follows the Beetle and the Golf marking the introduction of the third major chapter of the history of the brand. The first 30,000 units of the ID.3 will be sold as the first edition with different level of equipment, bookings of which started in May. And, as the base price for the ID.3 is concerned, it is claimed to start at around EUR 30,000 in Germany. Which means it will be priced on par with cars like Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla. Another highlight with the Group’s first electric vehicle is the fact that the ID.3 will be carbon-neutral over its service life if buyers consistently charge their vehicles using renewable energy.
Production of the ID.3 will start at the end of 2019 with first vehicles slated to roll out by mid-2020. What’s more, the Volkswagen exhibition stand at Frankfurt will be focusing on electric mobility, where the ID.3 will share the stage with other studies in the ID family.
