Volkswagen has reacted to strong criticisms of its ID.3 electric car by accelerating the arrival of this updated version.
It’s just over three years since the first ID.3 was revealed to the public at the old Frankfurt Motor Show, but already VW is giving it a mid-life update.
Imelda Labbé, VW’s head of sales and marketing said that: “We have systematically taken on board the wishes of our customers. With the second-generation of the ID.3, we are continuing the success story of our ID. family. The design has matured and the materials in the interior have been significantly upgraded. The new ID.3 demonstrates our clear commitment to quality, design and operability.”
On the outside the car gets new lights, new bumpers front and rear, and a new bonnet. The visual changes aren’t massive, but there’s a slightly sharper look to the front end, slightly reminiscent of its sister car, the Cupra Born (a model which has been broadly better received than the ID.3). There’s also a new colour option — Olivine Green, as seen in these images.
Inside, the changes are more significant. Volkswagen caught more than a little flak for the design and layout of the ID.3’s touchscreen infotainment system. While for now the ten-inch screen itself is carried over (a 12-inch upgrade is arriving soon) the software and critically the menu layout have been changed entirely, which should hopefully allow drivers to access important functions with less swiping through menus.
Hopefully too, the reliability of the software — which has left more than a few owners stranded with a black screen — will have been improved too.
The rest of the cabin layout remains the same, but VW is promising upgraded materials and an improved sense of quality. There’s also a commitment to use fewer animal-based products and more recycled materials, with the seats and doors now being covered in a material called Artvelours Eco for the door trims and seat covers, a fabric that contains 71 per cent recycled material. VW claims that it has the same durability as a newly-milled fabric.
Sadly there won’t be any improvement in range — the standard 58kWh battery and 204hp electric motor continue to offer a claimed 420km of range, but VW will increase the speed at which the battery can be charged, raising it from 135kW to 170kW on DC power.
It also looks as if the ID.3 lineup will expand. Recently, the model range has been reduced to a single version, but there should at least be two available when this face lifted model hits Irish forecourts. There will also be, in due course, a more affordable model with a smaller 45kWh battery, a 300km range, and a 148hp motor — this will be critical in fending off sharply-priced competition from the likes of MG and Great Wall Motors’ newly-introduced Ora Funky Cat.
VW in Ireland has also just announced a collaboration with electric car charging provider Ohme to provide ‘smart’ home charging solutions for Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Cupra, and Seat owners. Volkswagen Group Ireland claims that it’s currently the leader in this country in electric sales, with its combined brands claiming 34 per cent of the electric car market here.
“We are delighted to announce that we will be partnering with Ohme as our preferred home charger supplier,” says Carla Wentzel, managing director of Volkswagen Group Ireland. “Ohme’s award-winning Home Pro charger and reputation for excellent customer service represents a clear differentiator in the market and a perfect match to the extensive range of electrified models across the Volkswagen Group umbrella.”
With the new chargers capable of working with cheaper overnight tariffs, VW and Ohme reckon that you can slash the cost of keeping your electric car topped up. For instance, charging a 77kWh Volkswagen ID.3 (the biggest battery available in that model) from zero to 100 per cent with an Ohme Home Pro on an off-peak tariff, such as SSE Airtricity’s Night Boost, could cost just €8.12 for an electric range of more than 420kms (WLTP).
Over the course of a year and 10,000kms of driving VW claims that would equate to a saving of almost €700 compared to charging on the standard tariff, although of course that assumes you’re getting the maximum claimed range every time you charge, which for many people will not be the case.
“Our partnership with the Volkswagen Group Ireland underlines Ohme’s position as one of Ireland’s fastest growing smart charging companies,” said David Watson, CEO at Ohme.
“Volkswagen Group Ireland has one of the most comprehensive electrified vehicle portfolios available to Irish car buyers. We are looking forward to introducing those drivers to the benefits of off-peak charging with reduced running costs and working with retailers to help their customers through the entire process.”
