VW ID 3 Is The Most Important Car Launched In A 100 Years
The VW ID 3 is finally here, and after the overhyped launch of the Porsche Taycan, the EV market has got a proper Tesla killer. The design of the VW ID 3 was leaked quite early, however, most of the time it was under this bubble gum wrap.
The VW ID 3 has a starting price of €30,000 or $33,180. It will be available in Europe next year in 2020.
Volkswagen has already received 30,000 pre-orders for the ID 3 electric car, according to the Irish Times. It is amazing for a car that hasn’t been released yet. Now that the car has finally broken cover, we can appreciate its design which mirrors the GOLF, one of VW’s best selling cars of all time. It can be said that the GOLD made the VW what it is today, with over 35 million units sold to date.
There’s an e-GOLF already on the market in places like New Zealand, however, it looks identical to the current-gen GOLF and not an upgrade, in terms of design at least.
Can the Tesla Killer VW I.D. 3 do the same and can it go toe to toe against its arch-rival, the Tesla Model 3? Let’s wait no more to find out.
Tesla Killer VW I.D. 3 Price, Specs, Details, Launch Date
The design of the VW ID 3 starts with a small hood because there’s no engine. Likewise, you can see the A-pillar of the car stooped forward to connect with the smaller hood.
People are making comparisons of the VW ID 3 with the GOLF and for good reason. The ID 3’s traditional hatchback design with no edgy bodywork can easily qualify it for an electric GOLF badge.
VW ID 3 is based on the company’s MEB platform, in which the company has invested billions of euros. The platform will also spawn an electric sedan, an SUV, a beach buggy and also an electric version of the iconic camper.
The entire design is aimed at making VW ID 3 as aerodynamic as possible to extract the maximum amount of battery miles.
The VW ID 3 comes with 18″, 19″ and 20″ wheel sizes, with the first one being the standard. Customers will also have the option to choose from three different battery packs 45, 58 and 77kWh offering 330, 420, and 550 km of range. The car will offer two driving modes — one for the city and the other for the highway.
VW has three charging rates on option as well. The base VW ID 3 will offer 50kW charging with an option for 100kW charging after paying extra. The top model comes with a default 125kW charging and the mid-range comes with a 100kW charging as standard.
The battery packs are placed under ID 3 giving its bottom a completely flat appearance and a lower center of gravity to the car.
I say this is pretty impressive; the 550 km of a range is not as good as the petrol cars but it is convincing enough for people to encourage them to make a switch to the greener side. And that should be the objective.
Even in a country like India where charging stations are far and few, a VW ID 3 with 550 km of range can easily serve the needs of a huge number of Indian drivers.
Moving onto the interior, there are two touch screens inside. There’s also a rotating button on the dash which allows the user to switch to a single pedal driving mode favoring extra regen.
VW is also offering 8 years or 160,000 km battery warranty with the VW ID 3.
The interior of the VW ID 3 isn’t comprised wholly of a single touch screen, but buttons for opening windows and haptic feedback buttons on the infotainment system are also present. The simplicity of the interior says a lot about the direction VW is taking the ID 3 to. It is going to be a mass-market EV, a people’s car of the modern age, and a Tesla Killer.
I said Tesla killer, not because it can compete with specs on paper, but just like a Tesla, ID 3 offers several unique features that give the owner a sense of driving a true future car.
For example, VW is offering an optional VW ID 3 Augmented Reality heads up display on the windshield, keyless entry, a wireless charging mat, and Beats branded speaker option.
ID 3 can also be equipped with voice-activated controls that start the car when the user says ‘Hello ID.’ And just so ID 3 owners don’t feel left out in some autonomous driving tech, VW is building the car by keeping the future in mind.
VW will come ready with the necessary hardware for autonomous tech and initially, it will be able to perform basic driver-assist features including automatic emergency braking, lane-assist and lane-keeping on the highway.
The ID 3 will also flicker its LED headlights whenever its owner approaches the car, signifying a ‘human-like’ connection.
It is apparent in the compact yet spacious design of the VW ID 3 that it is an EV for daily driving. It has a big boot and a spacious set of rear seats for the tallest of gentlemen and ladies. The driver’s seat is spacious too, with ample legroom due to the absence of any gear stick near the driver’s leg.
In terms of comfort, the VW ID 3 has plush seats and an armrest. VW is also planning to offer its customers free electric charging.
VW ID 3 Vs Tesla Model 3
| VW ID 3 | Tesla Model 3 | |
| Battery Size | 45, 58, 77 kWh | 50, 62, 75 kWh |
| Battery range | 330, 420, 550 km | 386, 498 km |
| Charging time | 0-80% charge in 30 minutes | 0-80% charge in 14 minutes (with fast-charger) |
| autonomous driving | Basic Driver assist | Driver-assist with Summon |
| Driver | Rear Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Price (base version) | $33,000 | $35,000 |
As you can see, for the first time we can see an electric car that is around the neck to neck with a Model 3. The top-spec VW ID 3 also comes with a 550 km battery range that easily surpasses 498 km of the top of the line Tesla Model 3.
Needless to say, VW ID 3 is going to put Tesla back on its feet and on the way to start innovating.
But what might work in Tesla’s favor is America’s disinterest towards hatchback cars. The USA is obsessed with SUVs and sedans thus any hatchback, no matter how good, struggles to find its place in the country.
With all that being said, it could very well change. Recent reports suggest that the EV hatchback Chevy Bolt saw a significant increase in market share. The 2020 model of the Bolt will also come with slightly more range than a Tesla Model 3.
Conclusion
Volkswagen ID 3 is a great EV with good battery range, comfort features, and overall affordability. Combine this with the production capabilities of Volkswagen, which far exceeds that of Tesla and you’ve got a true market disruptor.
The VW ID 3 will enter the market next year in 2020.
What do you think: Can the VW ID 3 snatch the crown of Tesla Model 3? Let me know in the comment section below.
Also Read: VW e-Beetle: The Germans Are Converting Old Beetles Into Electric Cars
