VW ID.3 update: New infotainment system and more power

Contents

Last year, VW made noticeable improvements to the ID.3 in a number of areas. The interior looks less shabby since then. Volkswagen won't be winning any prizes with the 3.5 version of the software, but the worst bugs have been eliminated. Now comes the next update, which superficially changes only minor details. With a fresh infotainment system, VW wants to finally dispel criticism, and the ID.3 as Pro S also gets a little more power.

Infotainment updated

VW has moved the selector lever from the right-hand side of the instrument cluster to a separate lever behind the steering wheel. The screen in the center grows to 12.9  inches. What is probably more important to most potential buyers is that VW has raised the entire infotainment system to a new level. The hardware now works more quickly and operation should be easier than before. This should largely correspond to what we have already seen in the revised Škoda Enyaq. The progress there was unmistakable. VW wants to have further improved voice control and the augmented reality head-up display in the ID.3. Questions formulated to the car are answered with the help of ChatGPT.

VW has also worked on the assistants. The exit warning system now not only emits an acoustic signal, but may even prevent the door from opening. It is to be hoped that this assistant will work flawlessly in the long term. VW is talking about a new sound system with 480 watts, which will continue to be supplied by Harman Kardon. Finally, the bar under the screen, which can be used to adjust the temperature and volume, is also backlit.

Bild 1 von 6

VW ID.3 Pro S (6 Bilder)

Up to 170 kW

Previously, the ID.3's engine output was limited to 150 kW. If you wanted more power in this package, you had to go to the Seat sub-brand Cupra. The Born has always had a version with 170 kW. Now VW is following suit. It is not a version of the newer APP550 engine that is being installed, but a more powerful variant of the EQ310-1P already in use. In Germany, the 170 kW is standard in the ID.3 Pro S. In some other markets, this is offered as an optional extra, which can also be booked at a later date. The factory specification for the sprint to 100 km/h is therefore 7.1 seconds – an improvement of 0.8 seconds compared to the model with 150 kW. The top speed remains at 160 km/h.

Preconditioning of the battery

The energy content remains at 77 kWh. VW puts the range in the WLTP at 559 km and consumption at 15.6 kWh/100 km. More importantly, battery preconditioning has finally been added to the ID.3. This means that the maximum DC charging power can be called up with a certain lead time, even in the depths of winter. The temperature control can be automated via a link in the navigation system or activated manually.

According to the configurator, the VW ID.3 Pro S costs 47,595 euros. Volkswagen continues to pay an environmental bonus, with which this model still costs 44,025 euros. Many extras are only available in packages, which can quickly push the price up towards 50,000 euros. That's a lot of money and probably explains, at least in part, why the ID.3 has so far struggled to replace the Golf.

(mfz)