The Volkswagen Group has a lot of automotive brands under its umbrella and nearly all are developing fully electric models. However, the first electric vehicle which (EV) will flaunt the VW logo will be the ID.3. Up until now, its concept form was known simply as the ID. The Volkswagen ID.3 will make its world premiere at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) and enter production before 2019 comes to a close.
So, why the number 3? There are a few reasons. One, Volkswagen believes that after the Beetle and the Golf, the first member of ID family will introduce the third major chapter of strategic importance. Two, the number signifies that the model belongs to a compact segment. Three, the number three leaves scope for expandability and placement of future ID models in either direction. That means other ID concept vehicles such as the ID. CROZZ, ID. VIZZION and ID. ROOMZZ will be christened on the mantra in their respective production forms.
Back to the Volkswagen ID.3. The company has opened pre-bookings for its first-ever EV in 29 European markets. The said facility is reserved for the first 30,000 units only and all those will be tagged as ID.3 1ST special edition. With the ID.3, Volkswagen will offer three battery options and the 1ST special edition will get the middle one. On a single charge and according to WLTP standards, it will offer a range of 420km. While the entry-level variant, which will have the smallest of the three battery packs, will offer 330km, the range-topping one will have a range of 550km.
The ID.3 1ST special edition is being offered in four colours and three trim levels – 1ST, 1ST Plus and 1ST Max. Those read like variants of a mobile phone! Anyway, the 1ST will come with voice control and navigation system; 1ST Plus will add more features and the options of dual-tone exterior and interior finishes, and the 1ST Max will boast a large panoramic glass roof and augmented reality head-up display.
Volkswagen is targeting a starting price of under 30,000 euros for the entry-level ID.3. The ID.3 1ST special edition starts from under 40,000 euros. And those figures don’t include any subsidies. As far as deliveries are concerned, they should begin in mid-2020. Volkswagen claims that the important markets for the ID.3 in Europe will be Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France, UK and Austria. Every year, the company aims to deliver over 100,000 vehicles to its customers.
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