The second generation of the VW ID.3 – facelift unveiled

Britta Reineke walking next to the new VW ID.3
 

Volkswagen has given the ID.3 a facelift and we already got an impression of how it looks. Back in 2019, the first generation was launched and it was the first electric vehicle based on the MEB platform. Now with the new ID.3, VW has given the ID.3 some upgrades. In addition to its latest software with convenience and assistance systems, it also features a refreshed exterior and interior design. New exterior colours come into play, such as Dark Olivine Green seeing here on the images, while inside animal-free and sustainable materials are being used.

“The new ID.3 demonstrates our commitment to value, design and sustainability. The design has matured, and we’ve upgraded the quality of the materials used in the interior.” – Imelda Labbé, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management


Exterior and interior design

The exterior has undergone only some slight changes. The updated front of the ID.3 looks sleeker and more edgy than its predecessor. The new front bumper has larger air intakes and an electric radiator shutter. Side openings are designed to channel an aerodynamic air flow around the front wheels ("air curtain"). The bonnet now appears longer because the black strip under the windscreen has been removed. The new ID.3 is 4.26 metres long, 1.81 wide and 1.56 metres high. All in all the vehicle has a modern, clean-cut look which maintains the ID. family's iconic design, but adds new flair to the new ID.3.

With the facelift of the ID.3, new exterior colours are following. The Dark Olivine Green paint colour is exclusive and conveys a feeling of luxury. It has an iridescent metallic finish with a warm, gold pearl effect, perfectly accentuating the exterior design. The roof is black in contrast, while the roof trim strip is finished in luxurious matt silver, further highlighting the colour of the car.

The inside of the ID.3 now looks even better than before as it is of a higher quality. Many customer suggestions were taken on board and implemented to improve the product's value and the level of standard equipment. This has led to a better haptic experience – due to improved quality of materials – as well as a pleasant atmosphere through the combination of practicality, design, tactile feel and structure. Sustainability places a much bigger role in the new ID.3. It comes with animal-free interior as standard, many components are made from recycled materials, e.g. the microfibre material, Artvelours Eco, is used for the door trims and seat covers. This fabric is made of 71 percent recycled material, sourced from recycled plastic that has already been used and disposed of at least once before. As with the VW ID.Buzz, the steering wheel of the ID.3 is covered in vegan leather. In addition, the lighting system of the new ID.3 has an essential role within the interior. Illumination covers the dash panel, the ceiling, and other areas within the car, creating a pleasant ambiance inside. Ten colours are standard for the ID.3 – with 30 colours available as an option.
To sum up, the interior of the new ID.3 looks of higher quality, it is spacious and comfortable creating a feel-good ambience.

Infotainment and connectivity

The new ID.3 comes with the latest software for improved system performance and to allow over-the-air updates. The continuously enhanced ID. software also offers functions that can be activated later on (features on demand). In this way, Volkswagen lets customers react flexibly to their needs and book services and functions as required. The new ID. 3 comes with a 12-inch display (30.5 cm) as standard. Customer requests have been taken into account and implemented in the menu layout. For example, the charging menu is placed at the top of the display and has been restructured for more clarity and readability. Electric Vehicle Route Planner, Plug & Charge, augmented reality head-up display and intelligent driver assist systems – such as Travel Assist with swarm data – make driving and charging even easier and more convenient. The Comfort mobile phone interface, is one of the connectitcy feattures taht comes as standard. It pairs your smartphone with the in-car infotainment system, and can wirelessly chargse. Its standard App Connect function makes it easy to stream media from your phone, and is compatible with Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay™, and MirrorLink™ for an integrated experience.

Electric drive motor

The new VW ID.3 comes with a 150 kW (204 hp) and 310 Newton-meter electric motor on the rear axle, has a net capacity of 58 kWh and enables a range of up to 426 kilometres (WLTP). The top model ID.3 Pro-S has a net energy content of 77 kWh, giving the model a predicted range of up to 546 kilometres (WLTP). The new ID.3 Pro accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is 160 km/h. 

The exterior design of the new VW ID.3

In the exterior, the new VW ID.3 shows only a few changes. Inside, the vehicle looks more valuable through the use of higher, sustainable materials and a better, intuitive infotainment system.

 

Pictures 1,2,5: VW for ellectric
Pictures 3+4: VW