Volkswagen says it is ready to throw open the order books for its flagship electric car model ID.3, with the online sales configuration system set to become available to the general public in Europe on July 20.
The German automaker said on Tuesday that customers without pre-bookings in “many EU countries” would be able to choose from seven pre-configured ID.3 models at dealerships, as well as the appropriate charging equipment.
“Customers… who have had to wait for the start of production sales, will now be able to order,” said Volkswagen Brand board member for sales Jürgen Stackmann in a statement.
“From July 20, they can choose between seven pre-configured ID.3 models with the most popular features at their dealerships,” he said. Delivery of the EVs is slated for October.
The cars are based on the basic model ID.3 Pro Performance with a 58kWh battery (net battery energy content) for a range of up to 420km with the 150kW Performance rear-wheel-drive system. The drive system delivers a maximum torque of 310 Newton-meters and acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
Sales of the ID.3 opened for customers with pre-bookings a month ago, following a late-2019 launch marred by ongoing software problems with the car.
Volkswagen said it had been overwhelmed by the loyalty shown by “pre-bookers,” a large majority of which had already ordered their ID.3 1ST from dealers.
“I am convinced that e-mobility will now make its breakthrough,” Stackmann said. “Our model names like Family, Style, Tech and Tour already reveal that we will have the right ID.3 for everyone – at an attractive price. This way, we are realizing our vision of enabling emission-free mobility for all.”
The “Style” pre-configured model, priced at €40,946.04 ($A66,967.25) features a “major design package” including matrix LED headlamps, LED tail lights with dynamic swiping function, and a panoramic glass roof.
The ID.3 “Family” puts a premium on space, light and convenience and includes matrix LED headlamps, a large panoramic glass roof, a two-zone “Air Care” air conditioning system, and the assistant package with rear-view camera and “Keyless Access” for €42,305.87 ($A69,170).
The ID.3 “Tech” features a major infotainment package including Head-up Display and Premium Sound package for €44,810 ($A73,208); while the ID.3 “Tour” – the 7th preconfigured model – offers a bigger battery and range up to 550km, for €45,917.48 ($A75,035).
On the software side, VW said that with delivery in October, customers would receive a free-of-charge update for the two outstanding digital functions AppConnect und and the distance feature of the augmented reality head-up display for the “Tech” and “Max” models in the first quarter of 2021. All models delivered in the first quarter of 2021 will already be equipped with all functions.
As well as the seven pre-configured models, customers in Germany will also be able to order the two basic models ID.3 Pro Performance and ID.3 ProS, a four-seat model with a larger battery for a longer range.
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.