After more than four years since its debut in Europe, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 is undergoing significant enhancements in preparation for its upcoming launch in Australia later this year.
This latest update marks the second within just over a year, bringing a range of improvements to VW’s highly anticipated Golf-sized electric hatchback. Among the key upgrades are increased power, faster charging capabilities, a new augmented reality head-up display, an innovative ‘wellness’ app, and an enhanced sound system.
Scheduled to follow the release of Volkswagen’s ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs around mid-year, these latest tweaks to the ID.3 aim to ensure its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving EV market.
The headline improvement is the power boost to 170kW for the electric motor, a significant increase of 20kW. However, in certain markets, this figure is adjusted down to 150kW, with an option for owners to opt for an over-the-air (OTA) power upgrade for an additional cost.
With this added power, the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S now boasts a claimed 0-100km acceleration time of 7.1 seconds, an improvement of 0.8 seconds from previous versions.
Moreover, efficiency has seen a notable enhancement, thanks to the new electric motor combined with a 77kWh battery, extending the vehicle’s range to up to 559km on the WLTP test cycle, an increase of 13km.
The updated battery introduces a preconditioning feature that optimizes its temperature before charging, allowing for faster charging speeds of up to 175kW, particularly beneficial in colder climates.
Inside, the ID.3 now boasts a larger 12.9-inch touch-screen with a more user-friendly menu and the inclusion of a ChatGPT AI-powered onboard assistant, alongside illuminated touch sliders.
Further refinements include the relocation of the gear lever to a separate steering column switch, mimicking the layout of the Volkswagen ID.7.
Additional enhancements comprise a new head-up display incorporating augmented reality for enhanced navigation guidance, a ‘wellness’ app that adjusts lighting, sound, and air-conditioning settings for functions like Fresh Up, Calm Down, and Power Break, and the availability of a more potent 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system.
Safety features have also been upgraded, now including exit warning, an updated optional park assist plus, and enhanced semi-autonomous cruise control functionalities.
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