Photo: Volkswagen
This situation we've been through over the past few months hasn't exactly been a god-send for anyone, but it might have been less of an upset for Volkswagen's EV division.
Sales of the ID3 were initially supposed to start this summer, but due to a problem with the vehicle's software, the commercial launch was still hanging in the air. Now, though, delays have become the norm, so the Germans can blame the state of the world for pushing back the date to September, and not any in-house issues.
Well, the fact the first ID3s will be delivered without certain features (like the App Connect that runs Apple CarPLay and Android Auto or some functions of the AR head-up display) makes it more difficult to hide the real reasons, but at least the delay of the ID3 isn't sticking out that much anymore.
With plenty of units up and running, Volkswagen was able to invite members of the press for early test drives at its development center in Wolfsburg. British publication Autocar was there and, after putting the aspiring EV through a set of tests, offered everyone its impressions.
As you would expect from a very important model of a brand like Volkswagen, the ID3 is a great car. The company's first electric car built on the MEB platform offers all the benefits you would expect from an EV - lots of interior space, good acceleration, a quiet cabin experience, an excellent turning cycle - tied up in a nice package with only a few shortcomings.
Speaking of those, the only real criticism we could find had to do with the quality of the materials used in some areas of the cabin. The testers believe that cheap plastic was employed as a means to offset the high costs of the battery, and given the base version of the ID3 (which won't be available at launch) is supposed to cost under €30,000, it's probably a tradeoff worth having.
Other than that, the ID3 is shaping up like a very attractive offer, adding one more option for anyone thinking about going electric, and maybe even convince a few that aren't.
Well, the fact the first ID3s will be delivered without certain features (like the App Connect that runs Apple CarPLay and Android Auto or some functions of the AR head-up display) makes it more difficult to hide the real reasons, but at least the delay of the ID3 isn't sticking out that much anymore.
With plenty of units up and running, Volkswagen was able to invite members of the press for early test drives at its development center in Wolfsburg. British publication Autocar was there and, after putting the aspiring EV through a set of tests, offered everyone its impressions.
As you would expect from a very important model of a brand like Volkswagen, the ID3 is a great car. The company's first electric car built on the MEB platform offers all the benefits you would expect from an EV - lots of interior space, good acceleration, a quiet cabin experience, an excellent turning cycle - tied up in a nice package with only a few shortcomings.
Speaking of those, the only real criticism we could find had to do with the quality of the materials used in some areas of the cabin. The testers believe that cheap plastic was employed as a means to offset the high costs of the battery, and given the base version of the ID3 (which won't be available at launch) is supposed to cost under €30,000, it's probably a tradeoff worth having.
Other than that, the ID3 is shaping up like a very attractive offer, adding one more option for anyone thinking about going electric, and maybe even convince a few that aren't.
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