The Grin-lin Is Here. Volkswagen ID.3 Colonises UK Roads
The Germans are grinning. Content as cucumbers as their perfectly formulated domination of the EV market has commenced, with wave one of their new ID electric vehicle range. So content that the all new ID.3 or ‘Grin-lin’ appears to be grinning at us – as does the rest of the new ID fleet from Volkswagen. Designers clearly pictured the rush hour roads at dusk, illuminated by hundreds of silent smiles, skating home from a day at the office. There’s a lot out there detailing this new offering from Volkswagen, and before The Car Cult take one for a spin, we want to consider the new ID.3 in the wider context of changing mobility and sustainability.
Produced in Zwickau, Germany, the new ID range is tipped to be carbon-neutral from production through to delivery. Since 2017, the factory has been working with Austrian energy supplier Verbund, to provide hydropower to the production facility. As of mid-2019, it had already reduced CO2 emissions by a total of 66% compared with 2010, partly due to the use of green electricity from hydropower, wind and solar sources. The company is aiming to produce up to 330,000 electric vehicles at the plant by 2025 – more than any of their other production facilities around the world. Any other emissions emitted by the factory will be compensated for by climate protection projects certified to officially approved standards. A stark contrast to the ‘Diesel Gate’ scandal we have heard little about recently – legal action is still on going. Nevertheless, repentance comes in the form of green-production and transportation. The company has declared that all new ID.3 models will be delivered in a carbon-neutral manner, but how this is achieved has not been revealed.
The car. A neat hatchback, with obvious idiosyncrasies such as the aforementioned grinning front LED light streak; a similar design to the rear of the Polestar 2 and Polestar Precept. The shape itself seems to draw on elements of both the Up and Golf models, but with the height increased by 96mm to accommodate the battery packs located within the floor. The ID.3 is also 20mm wider and 23mm shorter than the new MK8 Golf; but a longer wheelbase enables more interior space. The contrasting roof and boot colour (appearing on all models) outlines the pointed rear, with inward pointing fingers used as the rear lights. Perhaps another brand statement to remind viewers that VW’s EVs are colonising European roads. A good offensive you could argue. The rear integrated spoiler gives an aggressive stance to the vehicle and an expression of agility and rapidity. The C pillar features an interesting dotted decal which accentuates the curves of this forward-thinking vehicle. However, reports of this decal peeling have already been made, alluding to the pressure to limit costs from the top. VW has side-stepped the overly angular shapes associated with the Nissan Leaf, Honda-E and Peugeot e-208.
Built on the MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform, the ID.3’s modular battery pack accommodates different battery capacities suitable for individual driving habits and needs. The First Plus edition will be offered with the 58-kWh battery and a 201 PS electric motor which delivers power to the rear wheels. This particular battery pack offers 261 miles of range at full charge and 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. Customers will also choose between two other battery packs: 48-kWh (for a 205-mile WLTP range) and 77-kWh (342 miles). Of course, these figures will change dramatically according to the specification of the car – the new trim packs to be unveiled this month may add weight to the vehicle. The First Plus variant features aerodynamic 19-inch wheels, which can be swapped for 18 or 20-inch alloys with the same star style cut.
The range offered from this particular variant is promising, and research has recently found that range anxiety is less of a concern for customers. Nevertheless, range seems to now be equated to lifestyle. If you have the need to move more, then you will have to pay the price. With the climate in mind, this seems a sensible proposition, as after all, the more we commute and fly, the more we pollute. Nevertheless, there is a definite reversal here. More economical vehicles were definitely attainable by us common folk; whereas now, a large fiscal bandwidth is required by every consumer being urged to convert to electric. Economy doesn’t appear to be compatible with ‘The People’s Car’ in this case. Particularly as the £35,000+ price tag of the First Plus edition stands after the government grant.
To entice ‘The People’, VW provide a pre-paid We Charge card, covering the first edition owner’s first 12 months of charging – equivalent to 2,000 kWh or £500.00 worth of energy. The We Charge card is provided in conjunction with IONITY, who are aiming to have 400 charging stations across Europe; with six charging points at each station. The Car Cult counts 15 UK charging stations on their interactive map, meaning that only 90 vehicles from the ID range will have the opportunity to charge at any one time. Looks like customers will be paying within the first 12 months, then. Clearly, this is still a pain point for the nationwide adoption of EVs - Infrastructure. The ascent of electric models is akin to Billie Eilish’s charge to fame. Except Billie has the customers and the platform to please them. The former, however, has the product but doesn’t seem to have the means to enable unlimited use.
Equipment wise, the first edition features micro-fleece cloth covering the seats and integrated arm rests. The minimalist cockpit utilises a 10-inch infotainment system as the command hub, controlling everything from the DAB radio, Discover Pro navigation and Bluetooth to the cabin’s climate control. Whilst this last function intends to simplify the interior, it can be awkward to flick through the infotainment system to adjust the air conditioning or heating. A button is sometimes nice.
A comfort package offers automatically folding mirrors, an auto-dim rear-view mirror and a windscreen that anticipates the landing of rain particles. Heated seats and steering wheel also prepare those in the northern hemisphere for the unpredictable weather. The First Plus edition also incorporates front and rear parking sensors and a rear parking camera. With the First Plus edition, the company notes that Apple CarPlay™and Android Auto™ aren’t compatible with the current software, but once an update is performed in the coming months, these services will be available.
The driver’s digital instruments are housed behind the steering wheel on a stand-alone plaque; with various buttons on the steering wheel used to change the display information. The drive-mode changing arm is mimetic of the BMW i3, homage to German 21st century innovation perhaps. A light streak across the dash also aids the navigation system, illuminating the direction you are required to travel. As for space, there is consistent headspace from front to back; with leg space in the rear equal for all three passengers due to the absence of a transmission tunnel. The seats also fold completely flat to give Safari-level space; to make this hatchback useable in all scenarios.
Volkswagen has perhaps gone too far with their minimalist arrangement – the dependence on hard plastics to line the dashboard and door cards seems to highlight cost saving initiatives. Simplify and add lightness? Chapman’s mantra is clearly essential to the range ramping EV. As for the upholstery, innovation seems to have been set aside on this front. Where Polestar is utilising Flax, recycled PET bottles, reclaimed fishing nets and recycled Cork vinyl, Volkswagen seem to have missed the holistic climate consciousness they preach. This is where the mass production may have been rushed and restricted by the fines levied against them, for cheating emissions tests. Nevertheless, the engineering and drive quality hailed by other automotive journalists is enough to set a strong trend for The People’s Car.
As the orders roll in, VW will be offering the further ranges of ‘Life’, ‘Business’, ‘Family’, ‘Style’, ‘Tech’, ‘Max’ and ‘Tour’. Each of these different model variants incorporates a different pack, with the Life being the most basic and only incorporating the ‘Comfort’ and ‘Infotainment’ packs. The level of amenities provided by each pack is extremely extensive and will of course be dictated by budget. Expect to find these Pack options across the whole ID range. More on this in the coming weeks.
Key Things to Take Away:
· From 2021, the VW ID.3 ‘Life’ model could start at £26,000.00 (Including £3,000.00 grant)· A We Charge card will be loaded with £500.00 for use with IONITY charging stations for First Plus purchasers · VW plans to build 36,000 IONITY charging stations across Europe by 2025· 7 models will be eventually be offered with a pre-determined combination of packs · Depending on battery size, range potential is 206 miles (48kWh), 58-kWh (261 miles) and 342 miles (77kWh)· The 58-kWh models 0-80% charge in 35 minutes with a 100kW DC charger; the 77-kWh models will do 0-80% charge in 38 minutes with a 125kW DC chargerThe Volkswagen UK ID.3 is available from £29,990 OTR onwards. You can check the company’s website for more information about the car and prices for the other variants. Also, if you come across a PCP deal that you want to share with other readers of The Car Cult or if you have something to say about the new ID.3, please comment below.