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.
Exterior design: fresh and sharpened
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.
Smart solutions improve aerodynamics
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.
ID.3 steps up with exclusive new features
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.
Interior design: high quality and sustainable
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.
Upgrades create a harmonious overall impression
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.
Spacious interior with a feel-good ambience
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.
Plenty of space for luggage
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.
"Our focus is always on the needs of our customers. That is why we listen carefully and align our product range in accordance with their demands." Imelda Labbé, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for the Sales, Marketing and Aftersales divisions.
Lighting design: state-of-the-art technology
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. To complete the welcome sequence, the exterior mirrors project the "fingerprint" of the ID. family onto the ground.
Comfortable and safe when driving at night
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.
Intelligent interior lighting
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.
Operating concept
The ID.3's operating concept is modern and clean, streamlined and intuitive. At the heart of the concept are two free-standing displays. The compact driver display with a screen diagonal of 5.3 inches (13.4 centimetres) is operated using touch controls on the multifunction steering wheel. A large rocker switch on the right-hand side is used to select the driving profiles. The middle of the console accommodates the now standard touch display for the navigation system, telephone functions, media, assist systems and vehicle settings. The screen measures 12 inches (30.5 cm) across the diagonal. Various customer wishes were implemented in the menu structure: among other things, the charging menu is now located on the top level of the large touch display and is structured in a more informative and clearer way.
Quick and reliable voice commands
The natural, adaptive voice control function Hello ID. represents a further operating level. It can process common phrases and its internet connection gives it access to useful Cloud data. In terms of recognition, the voice control function is now even more reliable and can respond even more quickly than in the past.
Assistant at eye level: the AR head-up display
In addition to information about the speed and other vehicle functions, the augmented reality head-up display (AR head-up display) also offers active and dynamic navigation instructions that are reflected onto the windscreen. For the driver, these instructions appear to be 10 metres in front of the vehicle - displayed with the correct perspective and clearly recognisable.
The technical heart of the high-tech display is a particularly bright LCD display that is mounted inside the dash panel. High-precision mirrors reflect the generated ray bundles onto the windscreen. Lenses separate the portions for the close and far range display levels. A device called the AR creator, a high-speed processing unit, positions the symbols in the display window. To do this, it uses data from the front camera, radar sensor and navigation map. The displays are stabilised with respect to the vehicle's movements and adapted to the geometry of the optical projection system.
Connectivity
The new ID.3 comes with outstanding connectivity as standard. For example, the smart Electric Vehicle Route Planner has been updated and improved for longer journeys; this schedules charging stops so that the destination can be reached as quickly as possible - using current traffic information and forecasts in addition to the battery charge level. The charging stops are evaluated dynamically on the basis of the charging station capacity - so the route planning function may suggest two short charging operations with high power instead of a long charging stop with low power. Points of interest can be transferred to the car using the free We Connect ID. app.
Assist systems
The optional Travel Assist with swarm data has a fundamental role in the systems for assisted driving. In combination with the adaptive cruise control (ACC) for longitudinal vehicle control from 0 km/h up to the top speed and Lane Assist for lateral control, this driver assist system can make use of two proven systems that are fully integrated with one another in the ID.3. If swarm data is available, Travel Assist needs just one identified road lane marking to keep the vehicle in lane when driving on country roads.
When driving on motorways, Travel Assist can also actively assist lane changes if desired. From speeds of 90 km/h, the assist system offers the driver an automated lane change in the digital cockpit if the relevant area around the vehicle is clear. If the driver taps the turn signal, the new ID.3 can independently carry out the lane change. However, the driver is still responsible for vehicle control as before.
Up-to-date with V2X technology
With the integration of navigation data and traffic sign recognition, the new ID.3 will also dynamically adapt to the vehicle's environment. With V2X technology, Volkswagen is taking safety to a whole new level. Data from compatible vehicles in the Volkswagen fleet and signals from infrastructure within a radius of up to 800 metres can be interpreted in fractions of a second, alerting the driver to hazards, accidents and stationary traffic. The ID. Light in the cockpit helps by providing visual warnings.
"The ID.3 clearly demonstrates how we achieve Volkswagen's goal of offering state-of-the-art technologies and innovations right down to the compact class. This is also reflected by new convenience and assist systems." Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development.
Electric drive motor
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.
Battery
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).
The battery housing is made from aluminium profiles and is installed flat in the vehicle floor where it is protected by a solid underbody guard and strong frame. 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.
Charging
We Charge is the name of the ecosystem for convenient, connected and sustainable charging of electric vehicles set up by Volkswagen. This offers the ideal solution for any situation - whether on a long journey, out and about or at home. At a quick-charging station, the battery of the ID.3 Pro S can be charged from five to 80 per cent within 30 minutes with a charging capacity of up to 170 kW. The ID.3 Pro needs 35 minutes with a charging capacity of up to 120 kW.
Source: www.vw.com
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