Volkswagen ID.3 – review and first impressions of Autogefuehl [video]

Comprehensive description of first impressions after contact with VW ID.3 1st appeared on Autogefuehl channel. The car is already on the price lists, deliveries are due to begin in September 2020, and select journalists have just been given the opportunity to test the car. First conclusions? Volkswagen ID.3 1st is good when it comes to controls and soundproofing, so-so when it comes to software, with fairly cheap materials inside.

Technical data Volkswagen ID.3 1st:

• segment: C (compact),
• configuration option: 1st Max (highest),
• battery: 58 (62) kWh,
• reception: up to 420 WLTP, up to 359 km in real terms, up to 251 km in real terms in the range of 10-80 percent [calculated by www.elektrowoz.pl]
• power: 150 kW (204 HP)
• drive: RWD (rear), no AWD option,
• loading capacity: 385 liters,
• competition: Kia e-Niro (C-SUV), Nissan Leaf e + (bigger, bigger trunk), Tesla Model 3 (segment D),
• price: from PLN 167, tested version from PLN 190.

Volkswagen ID.3 1st – first impressions

The car rated by YouTube users is the 3rd edition VW ID.1, that is, the limited edition model available to those who subscribed to it earlier. ID.3 1st will only be available with one battery capacity - 58 (62) kWh - and one engine power - 150 kW (204 hp) – but with three different hardware versions: ID.3 1st, ID.3 1st Plus, ID.3 1st Max.

> Price Volkswagen ID.3 1st (E113MJ / E00) in Poland from PLN 167 [update]

The most popular option seems to be VW ID.3 1st Morewho in Poland from PLN 194.... For comparison: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (bigger, stronger, slightly lower range) available from 195 490 PLN excluding transport costs.

The most important technical data for Volkswagen ID.3, battery capacity and version names are listed elsewhere:

> Prices and versions of the Volkswagen ID.3 are known in Germany. The price of VW ID.3 is 77 kWh per 100 thousand rubles. PLN is lower than Tesla 3 LR! [Act.]

The VW ID.3 battery is assembled at the vehicle manufacturer. and has a surprisingly rectangular shape, without any cuts or bulges. Volkswagen uses LG Chem cells manufactured in Poland. Their chemical composition is currently unknown, but there are indications that it could be NCM 523, 622, or 712.

Interesting is the section of the APP 310-2.0 electric motor driving the VW ID.3. Meanwhile, an internal combustion engine with its belt, pipes, wheels, wires, bulges looks like engineering work against it. the electric motor is simple, small and ... offers much more per unit weight than combustion engines.:

Interior, cabin, equipment

The sound of the door closing sounds good, it is muffled, but hard plastics were used for the door upholstery and they knock dullly. The dashboard trim looks better: the top is soft to match the color of the interior of the car, the middle and bottom are firm. Although everything looks neat:

The reviewer didn't particularly like the door controls and the volume or temperature controls. In his opinion, something new and unusual has been done, but not everyone would like to increase the volume or temperature by stroking the touchpads.

The display behind the steering wheel along with the travel direction switch remains rigidly attached to the steering column... By changing the position of the wheel, we also move the counters. The cap depends on the equipment: when buying Travel Assist, we get a leather steering wheel. However, if we don't focus on the Travel Assist package, the upholstery will be synthetic.

The leather allows the use of capacitive sensors, that is, to check the presence of the driver's hand by inspection by touch. In other cars, the driver has to set the wheel in motion, that is, create a certain amount of torque.

Shown on display power consumption VW ID.3 1st calculated based on the last 600 kilometers. In the car presented by Autogefuehl it was 15,7-15,8 kWh / 100 km (157-158 Wh / km) and even 16,6 kWh / 100 km, but the reviewer noted that the team tested the car's acceleration. Moreover, the car was stationary, energy was consumed, and the distance traveled did not increase.

With driving like this VW ID.3 1st range 58 kWh will be 358 kilometers... Volkswagen recommends charging the battery to 80 percent, so if we listen to the manufacturer and use the car in the 20-80 percent range, we’ll travel about 215 kilometers on a single charge. Of course, you can always replenish your strength to go on a longer route.

The cabin had quite a lot of room in both the front and rear seats, although the back bench made the legs feel odd, which the observer also disliked. The capacity and dimensions of the luggage compartment are standard for the class (385 liters, the e-Niro and Leaf have more):

Driving experience, suspension

The acceleration shown in the video from 80 to 120 km / h was not particularly impressive for an electric car, and let's remember that we are talking about the most dynamic version of the Volkswagen ID.3. The silence in the cabin turned out to be a big plus, even at a speed of 150 km / h, the noise was barely noticeable. You couldn't hear how the reviewer should raise his voice, which is a great achievement.

The car, thanks to the use of radar, can automatically adjusts the regenerative braking force according to the speed of the vehicle in front in D mode (in B mode the recuperation is strong). Smart ED / EQ and Hyundai Kona Electric have a similar function, some vehicles may also offer to lift the foot from the accelerator depending on upcoming restrictions (e.g. BMW i3, Audi e-tron).

The steering felt precise, the steering response was good, the suspension - standard and in the future also adaptive - responded very well. Autogefuehl Reviewer even described Volkswagen ID.3 1st as “The best EV on the market, provided we don't look at the software.».

Because the software and controls are lame. Although they promise a lot in the future, navigation with AR elements gives the impression of another small breakthrough:

Worth Watching:

And in German:

Update 2020/07/26, hours. 8.59: We changed the section on recuperation.

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