Volkswagen has formally unveiled the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, the German firm’s replacement for the ID.3 electric hatchback, one of Europe’s best-selling electric models.
A pioneer of the electric vehicle movement when it was launched in 2019, the Volkswagen ID.3 was pitched as a zero emissions alternative to the conventional Golf in the small family car class.
However, while it would prove a major catalyst for the advancement in EV technology, it was not without its flaws.
It is why the ID.3 Neo has been carefully developed around customer feedback in an effort to dismiss those idiosyncrasies and pare it back to a simpler format.
As a result, though the ID.3 Neo isn’t a new generation entirely, the changes are significant enough to warrant a new name to reflect its step forward.
The changes are thorough both inside and out with the ID.3 Neo’s look moving away from ID.3’s oddball signature design in favour of an appearance that is more cohesive with the rest of the Volkswagen range.
Indeed, though the profile remains largely unchanged, a brand-new grille – complete with light-bar and illuminated ‘VW’ badging – and body-coloured boot lid give the ID.3 Neo a more conventional appearance that bears closer resemblance to volume models like the Golf and Polo.
Inside, the ID.3 Neo represents a significant step forward, albeit by rolling back on some of its more technological features.
For instance, VW has re-introduced individual buttons for opening the windows and sliders for the heating, while the steering wheel ditches haptic functions in favour of physical controls that are easier and more tactile to use on the move.
The interior is finished off with a new 12.9-inch infotainment screen stop the dashboard, plus a reconfigured 10.25-inch digital cockpit, which can be tailored with various styles for the dials, including a decidedly retro circa 1980’s Golf GTi look.
Volkswagen is also promising more premium interior materials that are in-keeping with the German marque’s reputation for superior build quality.
Volkswagen ID.3 Neo: Power and Electric Range
The overhaul stretches under the skin too with the ID.3 Neo getting new European lithium iron (LFP) batteries, available in 50kWh, 58kWh and 79kWh displacements.
While the size change is only small, the ID.3 Neo gets a big uptick in overall range with the base 50kWh Trend model capable of 259-miles (an increase of 18-miles) while the 59kWh pack – available on Life and Style trims – jumps 37-miles to a new high of 307-miles.
The long-distance 79kWh battery tops the range, however, with an impressive 391-miles, putting it comfortably clear of closest rivals as the Kia EV3 (375-miles), Renault Megane E-Tech (285-miles) and Skoda Elroq (356-miles).
Integrating the Electric VW ID Range
The significance of the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo goes beyond a mere update for the model itself.
Indeed, while the original model was not only billed as a cost-effective alternative to ICE small family cars while demonstrating the everyday useability of a Golf, it also formally launched VW’s line of ID-badged electric cars.
Since then, the ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 and ID.Buzz have arrived to be sold alongside their conventional fuel-powered counterparts like the Tiguan and Passat.
However, the decision to merge the ID.3 Neo into the wider range with a look that echoes models like the Golf and Polo, represents the next step in a wider strategy that will see Volkswagen develop directly related electric and ICE-equipped versions of its most popular cars.
This will begin with the launch of the next generation Polo, which will herald the arrival of an electric version, known as the ID Polo.
That will be followed by the new ID Cross [pictured above] small SUV – an EV sister to the T-Cross – and an update for the ID.4.
There are also plans to introduce electric power to VW’s iconic GTi line with performance versions of the new ID.3 Neo and ID Polo on the cards.
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- Electric
- New Cars
- Volkswagen