Volkswagen has unveiled the much-awaited ID.3 facelift in response to widely reported problems with the software and interior quality of the electric family hatchback. The software packages and material quality of the updated Volkswagen ID.3, along with some changes to the exterior design, represent a significant advancement. The new car is available in two trim levels: Pro and Pro S. For the uninitiated, the ID.3 all-electric hatchback is the first model in Volkswagen's ID family of electric vehicles. Plus, it is also the first to be based on the new MEB platform. Moreover, it is also the most important model Volkswagen has launched in years, as it is seen as the cornerstone of the company's electrification strategy. So, let us take a detailed look at what the newly updated ID.3 from the German carmaker has to offer.
The styling changes are subtle, but they give the facelifted ID.3 a more striking appearance. The most noticeable exterior change is a more aggressive front bumper with larger air-cooling openings. Other changes include new light signatures for the LED headlights and taillight clusters (the taillight segments in the boot lid are now illuminated), new aero-optimised alloy wheels, a black roof with matt-silver trim on the edges, and new colours such as the Dark Olivine Green iridescent metallic paint. Furthermore, because the black strip under the windscreen has been removed, the front hood of the compact electric hatchback appears longer, as do the recessed sections on the sides.
The interior resembles that of the current model, but according to Volkswagen, customer suggestions were taken into account in designing it. The haptic experience has been improved, among other things, because of better material quality, including plush, foam-backed surfaces in the cockpit. The door panels have been redesigned with larger, plusher surfaces, and the hand rests have now become a bit bigger. The ID.3's interior now uses a large percentage of recycled materials and is entirely free of any animal products. For instance, the Artvelours Eco microfibre material used for the seat covers and door trims uses 71 per cent recycled plastic waste.
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The 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 has two independent displays, the same as before: a smaller 5.3-inch driver display controlled by touch buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and a larger 12-inch touchscreen, which manages the navigation system, phone functions, media, assist systems, and vehicle settings. The menu structure of the infotainment system has undergone a number of changes, including the addition of a charging menu, which is now found on the top level of the primary display and is clearer and more informative.
The smart Electric Vehicle Route Planner has been updated and enhanced in terms of connectivity. For instance, on longer trips, it plans charging stops based on the battery charge level and current traffic data and forecasts to ensure that you reach your destination as quickly as possible. The electronic architecture of the Volkswagen ID.3 uses two powerful computers, called ICAS (In-Car Application Servers), as its primary components. These computers perform a variety of tasks, which would otherwise be split among numerous small computers. But the fundamental vehicle operations continue to be controlled by separate control units. Further, swarm data is now used in the Travel Assist feature of assist systems, and Park Assist Plus with memory function enables automatic retrieval and use of previously saved parking manoeuvres.
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The ID.3 continues to be underpinned by the MEB platform and uses the same batteries and rear-mounted motor as before. The line-up has been condensed, with Pro and Pro S being the only variants available, in an effort to streamline production. The Pro and Pro S cars have identical 204bhp and 309Nm torque outputs, and they reach 100km/h in 7.3 and 7.7 seconds, respectively. The former has a 58kWh battery and a 426km range, while the latter has a 77kWh pack and a 545km range. Volkswagen has increased the ID.3's maximum DC rapid-charging rate from 125kW to 170kW in order to match changes made to its larger counterpart – the ID.4. Though it won't be included in the initial line-up of facelifted models, the manufacturer says that a 150bhp electric motor and a 45kWh battery may replace the earlier price-leading ID.3 Pure.
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