Volkswagen has updated their ID.3 offers

Volkswagen has updated the configurator of the ID.3 – significantly thinning out the range and raising the prices. In addition, the Wolfsburg-based company has announced a “further developed version” for next year – but only with minor changes.

In the updated configurator, five variants of the ID.3 can still be configured: four trims (Life, Business, Style and Max) use the familiar 58 kWh battery (“Pro”), and only the Tour trim is available with the 77 kWh “Pro S” battery. But here, too, the range has been reduced: currently, only the Tour is listed as a four-seater in the configurator. The five-door model with the large battery, which was available in the meantime, is currently not available.

The new prices were also significantly raised from the previous ones: The ID.3 Life is listed as the cheapest model at 43,995 euros – previously the base model with a 58-kWh battery cost around 38,000 euros. Although the equipment seems to be a bit more upmarket (the 18-inch steel wheels have probably been sorted out, there are at least 18-inch alloy wheels), VW has radically sorted out the rest of the options.

The ID.3 will only be available in four paint finishes in future: “Moonstone Grey” as the free uni paint and the metallic paints “Glacier White”, “Kings Red” and “Scale Silver” for 660 to 810 euros. Instead of a variety of rims, there are 20-inch Alus for 1,145 euros in addition to the 18-inchers. Different colour combinations in the interior are currently not selectable in the configurator. And the optional extras are limited to textile floor mats, the device for the bicycle carrier, the heat pump and the charging cable for the household socket.

Delivery only in the fourth quarter of 2023

Whether customers will get the vehicle delivered exactly as they configure it now is rather unlikely. “Due to the current supply situation with semiconductors and the already existing order backlog, we assume that we will not be able to deliver the ID.3 Pro Performance models Life, Business, Style, Max and the ID.3 Pro S model Tour before the fourth quarter of 2023,” reads a note in the configurator. The models listed are all currently available ID.3 variants.

“According to our current plans, we will already be producing the ID.3 in its enhanced version at that time. As a result, at the time of your delivery, we will no longer be able to deliver the vehicle shown in the configurator or contract on the day of your order, but the already further developed model of the ID.3,” VW continues.

The specific changes mentioned are the cover material of the steering wheels (“high-quality leather imitation” instead of leather). In addition, the “WLTP consumption and range figures for your vehicle […] should deviate from the currently stated values by up to 2% due to the further development of the design described above”. Two per cent is more likely to indicate a change in aerodynamics due to modified body parts than, for example, a new battery with significantly higher energy content.

However, the fact that the note only mentions the cover material of the steering wheel indicates that an announced change will not be made for the time being: the return to control buttons on the steering wheel instead of touch surfaces. VW brand manager Thomas Schäfer had already hinted at this change in recent weeks. However, it seems that production cannot be changed as quickly as hoped. According to information from electrive, the much-criticised, non-illuminated touch sliders under the infotainment display will also not be adapted for the time being. An illuminated version that is much easier to operate in the dark will probably be available in 2024.

According to a media report, a revised ID.3 is not likely to be the only change in the Wolfsburg ID. range. Automobilwoche” has learned that the ID.3 update will be presented in February or March 2023 – and a year later a comparable update for the ID.4. According to the report, the updates (in some cases there is also talk of an early facelift) will offer “a noticeable and visible leap in terms of quality appeal, materials and system stability”. At least this is what the new VW brand manager Thomas Schäfer had to say.

It is already known that Schäfer is planning ten new electric models by 2026. In addition to the electric Passat called ‘ID.Aero’ or ‘ID.7’, which will probably celebrate its world premiere in April 2023, the ID.3 X as a compact SUV based on the ID.3 with an independent design is also considered to be set. In addition, the ID.2 and its offshoot, the ID.2 X, will be launched in 2025. Since the once-targeted entry-level price of 20,000 euros for the ID.2 can no longer be maintained in view of rising costs (the new target is now at least below 25,000 euros), Schäfer is planning a smaller electric vehicle, which will probably be called the ID.1. However, it will not be developed by VW: according to information from the German publication Automobilwoche, the contract has now gone to Skoda – where Schäfer was head before moving to Wolfsburg.

With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.

volkswagen.de (ID.3 configurator), automobilwoche.de (both in German)