A LITTLE BRIGHTSPARK
VOLKSWAGEN has not been shy about the virtues of its new all- electric ID.3 hatchback, hailing it as the groundbreaking spiritual successor to the Beetle and the Golf. That’s a brave claim. I’ve just driven one of the first to arrive on British shores to check it out.
The ID.3 comes with a few twists including the way you put the automatic car into drive or reverse mode. There’s not a conventional stickselector or dial. Instead, you twist a swivelling plate that sits to the upper side of the steering wheel at about 2 o’clock. Forward to go into drive, and backwards for reverse.
It’s a bit like operating a manual can-opener. Fine once you get into the swing of it.
The new ID.3 looks suitably modern without being too space cadet. I drove an early First Edition model whose hefty prices start from £35,215, and that’s after you deduct the £3,000 plug-in car grant.
My First Edition Pro Power proved a lively ride, accelerating from rest to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds — the initial early bite being engaging — up to a top speed of 99 mph.
Powered by a 58 kWh 204 hp electric motor, there are zero emissions and a claimed range of up to 260 miles.
But this week Volkswagen announced pricing for cheaper models, starting at a fraction under £30,000 (after grant), which will make it a more palatable option for many families seeking value for money as well as eco-credentials.
Of the seven pre-configured series ID.3 models to follow, the lowest-priced is the ID.3 Life costing £29,990.
But the more powerful topof-the-range Tour model costing £39,290 — with a 77kW/204 hp electric motor — has a range of 336 miles, which puts it into Tesla territory, but for thousands of pounds less. Order books open next week.
The ID.3 interior is minimalist, contemporary and comfortable. There are some clever touches. For instance, when I charged up the car overnight, a thin but bright line running the width of the dashboard lit up green, with a proportion of it flashing to denote how much was still to charge.