• Also, see here a photo gallery of the new VW ID.3

Launched in 1974, the first Volkswagen Golf brought about a radical change in the European car industry by demonstrating its ability to transport a family of four with some luggage at an affordable price for the middle-class citizen. Values ​​that have been maintained over more than four decades and eight generations that have always been adding a little more to a successful formula that has led it to be the best-selling car in the Old Continent and the benchmark among models compact.

But times change and Volkswagen (like other manufacturers) has had to find a way to reinvent itself, driven above all by new environmental demands. Standards that, all things being said, have been just as reinforced by climatic demands as by errors in the automobile industry itself.

Thus, the evolution in the German brand stops by converting its gasoline and diesel models into electric vehicles (and some hybrids) so that in 2025 between 15 and 20% of its production is of cars without emissions. The role is in charge of the ID sub-brand, whose models are based on a common platform (MEB) that is at the base of the first member of the family: the ID.3, presented at the Frankfurt show last September, six months ahead of what was expected to be its commercial launch. Here you can see more images of the car.

MINIMUM CHANGES REGARDING THE PROTOTYPE

Almost everything has remained from the 2016 prototype ( except the electric door handles and the exterior rear-view mirrors with cameras, due to costs) in this first electric "for millions and not for millionaires" (the annual production target is 100,000 units in 2021 and 1 million in 2025), as defined by VW.

The first thing that catches the attention of the ID.3 is that, unlike Hyundai / Kia, Audi, Jaguar or Mercedes, VW did not opt ​​for an SUV / crossover format (which will come later, with the ID.4) but for a hatchback style silhouette that aims to make this model profitable from its first day of life, which is somewhat ambitious because the technology is still expensive and so is the price of the car (in Germany it starts at just under 30,000 euros, without state aid, for the entry version, with the smallest battery (45 kWh) and with less autonomy (up to 330 km).

The second battery / power level is the unit of this test (with 58 kWh, autonomy of up to 420 km and power of 204 hp) and which equips the entire first edition of the launch series of 30,000 units, while the more Able uses a larger battery, 77 kWh, with a range of up to 550 km (this version can only receive four occupants, not five).

A REALLY NEW PROJECT

"Price is decisive in this segment," says Frank Welsch, director of VW's electric car division, whom I met at General Motors as head of the Chevrolet Volt / Opel Ampera project and whose intellectual brilliance was evident (the technical principle of the car was very good, but it did not result from execution errors). Welsch also explains some of the peculiarities of the first element of the new ID family: "VW has not developed a car as profoundly new as this in a long time: the only common parts with another car of ours are the door handles and the battery of 12 volts. "

It is interesting to note that, compared to the BMW i3 (26 cm shorter, built in carbon fiber and aluminum, with a smaller battery that makes it weigh 400 kg less), this ID.3 (weighing 1.72 tons in its lightest version) has a completely opposite philosophy: "Our car is made of 99% steel and we mainly use aluminum and other more rigid materials in collision structures. This is because the weight issue is not so central because we have achieved very good results in energy recovery, in addition to using larger and more powerful batteries. "

RETURN THE ENGINE TO THE REAR

It is impossible not to think that this is the first VW, from the original Beetle and 'Bulli' van, which has the engine mounted on the rear, and this common feature is visible, as there is no radiator grille and the design of the ID.3's 'face' is influenced by this technical configuration. Other of the most striking elements in the design are the differential color roof (the largest panoramic roof installed in any VW today), the line of continuity in the transition from hood to windshield (huge, which also contributes to the bright interior) and also the black plastic boot lid.

At the wheel, it is clear that everything is controlled through the central entertainment and information screen, except for a few that are mounted on the multifunction steering wheel (cruise control, audio, display modes), the door panel ( windows and mirrors) and the left side of the digital instrumentation (headlights).

And it is possible to 'talk' to ID.3 by saying the phrase "hello ID", which gives rise to your answers and makes you comply with the instructions given ... even if some of these answers may come in droppers due to software issues that German engineers have faced and which have led to the delay of the car launch (the app-connect is also delayed, as is the augmented reality on the head-up display, with the promise that these features will be installed in cars sold through the German brand dealer network).

QUESTIONABLE QUALITY, LARGE SPACE

The concept of the operating system frees up a lot of space, noting a close proximity to the configuration that BMW gave to the driving position when it created the i3 (seven years ago ...). That is, there is a simple, small dashboard and shift control (single speed) to the right of the instrumentation. Two criticisms: the quality of coatings is inferior to that applied by VW in a Polo and the instrumentation seems too small.

One of the really positive aspects of this interior has to do with the generous space, which results from a double factor: on the one hand, the wheelbase is 13 cm longer than on a Golf and, on the other hand, since it does not exist engine in front, it was possible to mount the dashboard later, creating several additional centimeters for the occupants' legs.

In fact, VW is talking about an interior for five adults almost as wide as that of a Passat, somewhat impressive because the ID.3 is half a meter shorter (but that's a credible claim given that its battle is only 2 cm shorter) . And the rear passengers (who can be 1.85m tall and not ruin the hairstyle against the roof) even travel much more comfortably given the flatness of the floor, unlike what happens in the Passat, where the central tunnel affects Great freedom of movement in the second row of seats. The boot is marginally larger than that of the Golf (385 liters, that is, 5 liters more) and has highly geometric and usable shapes, which can extend up to 980 liters if the rear seat backrests fold down.

AUTONOMY: BETWEEN 300 AND 420 KILOMETERS

We have already seen that there are versions with batteries of different sizes, with different performance engines, but here we will focus on the intermediate ID.3 (58 kWh battery), with autonomy of 300 to 420 km (being the first most realistic figure for those who do a lot of freeways and expressways a day) and 204 CV / 310 Nm. The permanent magnet motor installed with the transmission on the rear axle offers maximum performance 'at once', making the ID.3 the king of traffic lights: if the driver wishes, it can be 'shot' from 0 to 60 km / h in just 3.4 s (0 to 100 km / h over 7.5 s).

The center of gravity is low, courtesy of the heavy batteries mounted between the two axles, and the general behavior comes out winning: balanced (between stability and comfort) and without excessive transverse movements of the body, all without waiting (at least in this version without sports aspirations, as evidenced by its maximum speed of 160 km / h) that someone feels the need to press the Sport button (below the navigation screen), which also makes the steering heavier.

There are two recovery modes: a free one, in which the car slows down much like a gasoline-powered car when we release the right pedal. And a second stronger program, so that, with a certain habit, it is possible to drive by pressing the accelerator. Also useful for urban driving is the fact that the turning diameter is only 10.2 meters (more normal in a lower segment car), all due to the lack of a motor that limits the turning of the wheels on the axle. Forward.

PRICES: FROM JULY 20

This version with a 58 kWh battery can be charged up to 11 kW (alternating current) or a maximum of 100 kW (direct current), which means approximately 5 hours up to 80% of the total charge in the first case and ... 290 km of autonomy in just half an hour in the second. In this regard, VW wants to offer 2,000 kW of charges for users who purchase an ID.3 (i.e. approximately one year of free electricity), but that the charges will have to be made on chargers from the Ionity network (400 planned in Europe until end of 2020 ... but only four, until today, in Spain) or Wecharge (which do not exist around here either).

It is an important argument, especially since it is known that for the purchase of an electric car to be economically interesting, its lower operating costs must pay off the much higher price at the time of purchase of the vehicle. And if 'gasoline' is free ... As an alternative, VW Spain is considering offering the wall charger, but the matter is not closed at the moment.

Speaking of prices (to be announced for Spain on July 20), this first series ID.3 1st (with intermediate battery / motor) will have an entry price of about 38,000 euros, already with a fairly complete level of equipment (system of navigation, dual-zone air conditioning, seat and steering wheel heating and 18 "wheels, as well as vocal controls and intelligent lighting (always standard).

A second level (1st Plus) adds access to the rear camera and keyless start, tinted windows, additional USB inputs, 19 "wheels, LED rear lights ... for a price of about 44,000 euros. The most equipped, 1st Max It will have two additional speakers, panoramic roof, electrically adjustable seats, 20 "light alloy wheels and more advanced driving assistance systems, but with a price very close to 50,000 euros (estimated values ​​from those announced for the market German).

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Volkswagen
  • Motor
  • Electric cars

Engine At the wheel of the Mazda MX-30: a unique electric

MotorAll the keys to help to buy a car that can be requested now

MotorNew Citroën C4: other electric 'made in Spain'

See links of interest

  • Last News
  • English translator
  • TV programming
  • Work calendar
  • Daily horoscope
  • Santander League Ranking
  • League calendar
  • TV Movies
  • Cut notes 2019
  • Themes
  • Burnley - Sheffield United
  • Athletic Club - Real Madrid, live
  • Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, live
  • Newcastle United - West Ham United
  • Villarreal - Barcelona