The article was originally produced on October 9, 2019. Some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Volkswagen is investing heavily in electricity and the ID .3 is the first among the dew new ID .-models. Cars Collection had an exclusive opportunity to photograph the ID .3 in their own photo studio and Wolfsburg before the unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Yes what is new ID.3? In the usual order when a new model is hinted at, usually in the form of a concept to test the market, the questions pile up. Is it a replacement for an aging model or is it something completely new. As usual, the secrecy is extensive, but today no major manufacturer dares to observe total silence, without ”leaking” a little to raise interest. So also with ID.3.

In 2016, at the Paris Motor Show, an electric concept, the ID., was presented, which was based on a completely new chassis called MEB (Modular E-Antriebs-Baukasten). This would be VW’s first pure car that was not based on any other previous models but comparable in size to the Golf. Now it is time for the ID.3 to step out into the light and to the public, which happened at the fair in Frankfurt.

In addition to the ID.3, the new MEB platform will be used for many models, trademark applications indicate this and those shown as concepts are the ID. Cross, Buzz and Vizzion. In addition to other models, it is already clear that the ID.3 will be available in three variants: 45 kWh which will take you 330 km, 58 kWh which will cover 420 km and 77 kWh will cover a full 550 km. Also a performance version has now been presented, which receives the extension R.

During our photo session in Wolfsburg, we also had the chance to ask questions and VW’s representatives were very accommodating. A question that is clearly very interesting concerns the batteries’ capacity, durability and safety in the event of a collision. The cover has the capacity to withstand a hit from a locomotive and no broken batteries will be repaired but replaced. The battery warranty will be 8 years and many units will be manufactured by Swedish Northvolt.

Another topic that came up frequently was the inevitable comparisons with Tesla. There, VW representatives were very clear: ”We are a volume manufacturer so we don’t take chances. Our customers should not have to be guinea pigs.” Tells David Holbein who is the technical project leader for the ID.3 platform. A clear dick to Tesla.

A greater deep dive into ID.3 asks to come back with when we have been able to test drive it.