Volkswagen Teases Tech Laden ID.3 Cabin!

• The ID.3 gets a digital driver’s display and a floating infotainment system.
• It gets features such as voice command-based feature activation.
• Gets three battery pack options that offer a range of 330km to 550km.
• It is slated to launch in September this year.

Ever since the dieselgate scandal rocked Volkswagen in 2015, the German carmaker has been busy at work trying to rectify its image by showcasing a variety of all-electric prototypes under its ID sub-brand. Soon, it will launch its first-ever production-spec all-electric car in the form of the ID.3 hatchback. While we’ve seen the exterior, albeit with camouflage, and taken a look at certain specifications of the hatchback, the interiors were kept under wraps. Until now.

The ID.3 gets a floating digital driver’s display that seems to be mounted on the steering console. Then, there’s the funky gear lever with the electronic parking brake which is part of the display console. This frees up space while also making the cabin look funky. Meanwhile, the centre console features a floating infotainment system. What’s more, certain features of the infotainment system can be activated through the keyword ‘Hello ID’. The all-electric hatchback also gets touch controls on the steering wheel rather than conventional buttons for a futuristic feel.

The teaser also reveals various other features of the hatchback, including:

• In-built navigation
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Voice control
• Phone connectivity
• Drive modes

Volkswagen has confirmed that the ID.3 will be available with three battery pack options -- 45kWh, 58kWh, and 77kWh -- though details about the electric motor(s) have not been revealed. Here’s how the three battery packs compare in terms of range.

Volkswagen ID.3	45kWh Version	58kWH Version	77kWH Version
Range (WLTP)	330km	420km	550km

Volkswagen has also revealed that the battery pack supports charging speeds of up to 125kW, with the ability to offer a range of 260km with a quick 30 minute charge. A 11kW wallbox charger can be installed at home for day-to-day usage. Volkswagen will offer the ID.3 with an 8-year/1,60,000km warranty for complete peace of mind.

The ID.3 hatchback is underpinned by the group’s Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) platform that will also form the basis for other EVs such as the Skoda Vision iV, other VW ID cars and the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The ID.3 electric hatchback is slated to be launched this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is expected to go on sale by 2020. While Volkswagen has not announced any plans to launch the ID.3 in India, the hatchback could set the tone for the company’s involvement in electric mobility here in the near future.

The Volkswagen ID.3 will be followed by the production versions of the ID Cross, ID Vizzion and the ID Buzzz concept cars.