With the second-generation of the ID.3, Volkswagen is continuing the success story of its ID. family. As part of its ACCELERATE strategy, on its way to becoming a zero-emission, software-based mobility service provider, the company has reached a further milestone one year earlier than planned. To date, more than 600,000 ID. models based on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform have been delivered to customers around the world. The Volkswagen product range now comprises six ID. models. The ID.3 was the first electric vehicle based on the MEB platform in 2019. Two and a half years after the launch of the first generation, the all-electric bestseller is now coming to the market with a comprehensive upgrade. Alongside the latest software with all convenience and assist systems, the vehicle impresses above all with its newly sharpened exterior and the refined interior design. New colours, such as Dark Olivine Green, create a fresh look. Use of high-quality, animal-free and sustainable materials rounds off the overall appearance. Optimised air-cooling openings and large painted surfaces make the face of the Volkswagen ID.3 appear independent, confident and friendly from every angle. One reason for this is the new bumper design. When designing the new bonnet, the design team set itself the goal of using more of the exterior colour. The bonnet now appears longer because the black strip under the windscreen has been removed and recessed sections at the sides create an additional impression of visual lengthening.
In addition, the optimised and enlarged air intakes at the front give the ID.3 a muscular and sporty appearance. The aerodynamics are improved by better air flow around the front wheels (“air curtain”). Among other things, this also plays an important part when it comes to the range. The ID.3 achieves an excellent drag coefficient of 0.263 (predicted) The most important factor for this is the body, with steeply sloping A-pillars, flowing roof line and drawn-in C-pillars. Various solutions for individual details also improve aerodynamics. These include the electrically actuated radiator blind in the vehicle front end. This opens only when the power units need cooling. The blind normally remains closed so wind can flow as easily as possible over the bonnet. The flat designs of the wheel rims mean they are also optimised for air flow with minimum drag losses. The second generation of the ID.3 impresses in the interior through innovation and sustainability. The interior equipment is completely animal-free. The microfibre material, Artvelours Eco, is used for the door trims and seat covers. This fabric is 71 per cent recyclate, a secondary raw material obtained by recycling plastic waste that has previously been disposed of at least once.
The headlights and tail lights do not just underline the modern ID.3 design; they also guarantee improved visibility on the road. New two-part, red-illuminated tail light clusters radiate light at the rear. The part of the tail lights located in the boot lid is now also illuminated. The new ID.3 is 4.26 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.56 metres high. Like its predecessor, the second generation of the ID.3 also impresses with a long wheelbase and short overhangs – made possible by the modular electric drive (MEB) platform. When it comes to the colour and trim design, the new colour Dark Olivine Green stands for exclusivity and premium value. The iridescent metallic paint has a warm, gold pearl effect and supports the modern, clean-cut contours of the exterior design. The roof is completely black, which sets it apart from the body colour to create a harmonious contrast. The roof trim strip is finished in high-quality matt silver to emphasise the paint colour. Numerous suggestions from customers were taken on board and implemented as product improvements and to enhance the standard equipment package. As a result, soft, foam-backed surfaces in the cockpit create a new haptic experience. The doors have been remodelled to include softer and larger surfaces. In addition, the handrests in the doors are now more generous and have a clearer design. Precise CNC seams in a contrasting colour additionally enhance the feeling of value and create a successful combination of futuristic and traditional design in the interior of the ID.3.
The improved material quality – as well as the interplay of functionality, look, feel and structure – creates a feel-good ambience inside the car. The spacious interior is modern, homely and elegant. This is made possible by the wheelbase of 2.77 metres and the space-saving architecture of the modular electric drive (MEB) platform. This design emphasises the overall feeling of spaciousness, as the airiness of the large dash panel conveys the impression of weightlessness. A soft surface covers the lower section of the dash panel, which is divided by a seam. In the dark, the background lighting system with up to 30 colours traces the contours of the interior and gives it an additional dimension as an integral part of the design concept. The basic dimensions of the luggage compartment in the ID.3 offer a capacity of 385 litres; this increases to 1,267 litres with folded-down rear seat backrests and roof-high loading. A bicycle carrier coupling with a drawbar load of 75 kilograms is optionally available. The large standard LED headlights give the face of the new ID.3 a friendly appearance. The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are optionally available. Together with the side background lighting, their modules resemble the human eye. When the driver approaches the vehicle with the key, the vehicle appears to wake up and open its eyes, an impression created by the fact the modules swivel on a vertical axis. There is an additional highlight in conjunction with the optionally available Keyless Access system: the vehicle tries to make eye contact with the driver by swivelling its eyes to one side or the other.
The new ID.3 comes with main-beam control as standard. The optional IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights always illuminate the road as brightly as possible without dazzling other road users. Each headlight module comprises 18 LED units, eleven of which can be individually switched off and dimmed. A separate spotlight expands the lighting package. When the lighting is switched on, the headlights are connected by a continuous light strip that is interrupted only by the Volkswagen badge. Light is radiated at the rear of the new ID.3 by the two-part and now completely red-illuminated tail light clusters. In each unit of the innovative 3D LED tail light clusters, there are nine flat light guides located freely in space and made up of several thin layers. These create an arch-shaped tail light with a particularly rich red colour. The brake light creates an X shape, while the dynamic turn signal sweeps from inside to out. In vehicles equipped with the LED matrix headlights, animated lighting patterns run through the tail light clusters to welcome and say goodbye to the driver. The lighting architecture of the ID.3 has a holistic design and plays an important role in the interior. Background lighting on the dash panel, in the doors and in the footwell can be configured in a number of colours to suit the user’s preference. Ten colours are standard for the ID.3 – with 30 colours available as an option. The ID. Light feature included in the Plus assist system package is a highlight in the lighting concept. The light band below the windscreen supports the driver in many situations by providing easy-to-understand lighting effects – for instance when turning, braking or for messages from the Eco Assistance function. The ID. Light also offers functions such as traffic hazard alert, information about parking spaces at the side of the road, and hints about moving into the correct lane of the motorway when navigation is active.
The electric drive motor in the ID.3 is located at the rear and delivers an output of 150 kW (204 PS) and a torque of 310 newton-metres (Nm). The rear-wheel drive that already proved itself in the first generation ensures agile handling and good traction, while also permitting a small turning circle of just 10.3 metres. The vehicle is powered by a synchronous motor (PSM) that offers efficiency well above 90 per cent in almost all driving situations. The electric motor is positioned above the rear axle and sends its torque to a two-stage, one-speed gearbox including differential. Including the power and control electronics, which processes the control signals and switches the currents, the drive unit weighs only about 90 kilograms. The ID.3 is available with two different battery sizes: 58 and 77 kWh. The lithium-ion battery plays a decisive role in the ID.3’s all-round qualities. With its net energy content of 77 kWh, the large battery gives the ID.3 Pro S a range of up to 546 kilometres (WLTP). In the ID.3 Pro, with a net battery energy content of 58 kWh, the range is up to 426 kilometres (WLTP). It accommodates the battery modules, each of which houses 24 cells with a flexible outer shell. A floor plate with built-in water channels keeps the modules at their ideal operating temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius – this benefits power output, fast DC charging and the service life. After eight years of operation or a mileage of 160,000 kilometres, the battery still has at least 70 per cent of its original net capacity – protected by a Volkswagen warranty.
