Featured image: Turbo
The Volkswagen ID.3 was supposed to be the breakthrough electric car model from the German automaker. However, the car still faces a number of problems, including lackluster range, to boot. Auto Motor und Sport ran a test of ID.3 to help break down the German automaker's new EV offering.
Auto Motor und Sport notes that the ID.3 has good driving characteristics. However, in their view, there is a significant need for improved processing and electronics. They indicate that the cost of the electric vehicle is 49,000 euros (excluding a possible environmental bonus), yet the ID.3 clearly does not fit VW's usual, high standards for precision fit of body parts, minimum clearances, and high-quality materials and parts.
Auto Motor und Sport writes that plastic is used in the interior elements, which is sensitive to dirt, and the inside of the hood looks like it was painted from a spray bottle. The electronics show obvious weaknesses in a test car close to the serial one. The infotainment system starts up slowly, the navigation system often remains inaccurate by several hundred meters, and the car's system does not call online services at all.
Photo: Achim Hartmann | Auto Motor und Sport
The 10-inch monitor is located relatively far from the driver, so it is quite difficult to work with. Switching to voice control is inconvenient because the system doesn't work properly and quickly. One of the strengths of ID.3 is that the drive train and chassis work perfectly.
The 58 kWh battery hardly sets records for range. On the eco-lap Auto Motor und Sport, ID.3's range was 223 miles, which corresponds to a consumption of 16.9 kWh/60 miles. The WLTP consumption value at 16.1 kWh/60 miles is very close to reality with a protective driving style. However, in the car-motor and sports test, including motorway and city driving, the test average was 23.2 kWh/60 miles. This means the battery runs out in about 161 miles.
Conclusions:
The VW ID.3 test car costs almost 49,000 euros, without deducting any environmental incentive(s). Auto Motor und Sport writes that in their opinion, this car should cost half as much, especially given lukewarm range. VW needs to make improvements as soon as possible.
© 2020, Eva Fox. All rights reserved.
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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts, you can follow him on Twitter
About the Author
Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
