Volkswagen has unveiled its newest offering in the compact EV segment, the ID.3 Neo. It replaces the current ID.3 in Volkswagen's lineup and is offered with revised exteriors, updated interiors with more physical buttons, and a revised drivetrain with a maximum range of up to 630km!
Pure positive on the outside
The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo is based on Volkswagen's updated MEB+ platform, and its exterior is updated with Volkswagen's “Pure Positive” design language. It gets a continuous light bar connecting its headlights and an illuminated Volkswagen logo. It also gets revised bumpers at both ends, along with a fresher alloy wheel design.
According to Volkswagen's chief designer Andreas Mindt, the new design language is in line with the current Volkswagen compact cars, with its roof, bootlid and rear spoiler painted in body colour to make it appear “longer” and “more dynamic”
More buttons on the inside
The major change that Volkswagen has incorporated on the inside is that it now has physical buttons instead of capacitive touch buttons for climate control and media control. The steering wheel has also been redesigned and is now flatter at the top and the bottom, and now has physical buttons to interact with the new 10.25-inch digital driver's display. The ID.3 Neo also features a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with fresher graphics and a revised layout for ease of use. It gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, and you can also download video streaming apps right on the infotainment system with the help of Volkswagen's In-Car Shop.
Other features on the inside include wireless charging for your smartphone, panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system, 360-degree camera, optional massage and memory function for the front seats, and an augmented reality heads-up display.
Revised powertrain
Volkswagen has updated the ID.3 Neo with three battery pack options: the base 50kWh, the mid 58kWh, and the top 79kWh battery pack, with the top 79kWh battery pack offering an impressive range of 630km, which is 32km more than the previous model. Alongside the three battery packs, the ID.3 Neo gets an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, producing 167bhp on the base model, 187bhp on the mid, and 228bhp on the top model with the 79kWh battery pack.
The two smaller 50kWh and 59kWh battery packs can be charged at a maximum 105kW at a supported DC fast charger, and the larger 79kWh battery pack can support DC fast charging up to 183kW.
Prices and rivals
Volkswagen has not revealed the prices of the ID.3 Neo, but it is expected to be similarly priced to the current ID.3, and its main competitors are the Kia EV4 and the Renault Megane E Tech.
