A LITTLE BRIGHT SPARK
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 l ess. 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.