VW ID.3 ELECTRIC HATCH DEBUTS AHEAD OF FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

Battery pack options will offer ranges from 277 to 456 kilometres

Thanks to US colleagues Autoweek.Com, I’m pleased to provide you with pre-launch information on the ID.3 Electric hatch due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show tomorrow.

I’m currently reviewing the Nissan Leaf electric car and it serves as a great comparison with this new Volkswagen. Look for my review of the Nissan in the next few weeks.

“Volkswagen took the wraps off the ID.3 electric hatch today, just ahead of the start of the Frankfurt motor show, marking the launch of the new ID electric sub-brand that will spawn several models in the next few years. The debut of the ID.3 is an important milestone for the automaker, which has made a substantial bet on electric cars for the next decade.

The ID.3 hatch that will appear in Frankfurt this week is a special launch edition variant, with a WLTP-rated range of 261 miles (348km) on a full charge — one of three battery options that will be available in this model. Featuring a 58-kWh battery pack the ID.3 hatch is the mid-range variant and will be offered alongside a shorter-range 45-kWh battery version with a range of 205 miles (273km) and a long-range version with a 77-kWh battery and a range of 342 miles (456km). When it comes to charging, the ID.3 will be able to get enough juice for 180 miles in just 30 minutes with DC charging.

The short-range version is expected to start under 30,000 euros, which translates to about $33,200 in the US (and $48,277 down under plus taxes and freight fees). With this starting price, Volkswagen hopes to make the switch to electric cars an easy for its core group of buyers, who are accustomed to buying premium hatchbacks powered by gasoline or diesel engines.

“The ID.3 not only offers a completely new vehicle concept, but it also gives drivers and passengers the opportunity of mobility with a CO2-neutral balance providing the battery is consistently charged with naturally produced energy,” the automaker said. “Consequently, the ID.3 embodies the new Volkswagen mission statement: ‘goTOzero’: by 2050 the entire Volkswagen Group aims to demonstrate a CO2-neutral balance.”

Sized comparably to a VW Golf, the ID.3 rides on the automaker’s electric MEB platform that will underpin a whole range of electric models in the coming years, offering flexibility for a variety of body styles, some of which have already been green-lit by the automaker, including a Microbus-styled MPV that will go on sale later in the new decade. The battery is positioned under the floor of the ID.3, which allows the engineers to maximize interior space, while propulsion is provided via a permanent-magnet synchronous motor integrated into the rear axle, along with a one-speed gearbox.

“A high-voltage flat battery that has been efficiently arranged in the underbody to save space, as well as auxiliary units, such as air conditioning compressor or steering rack, that have been integrated into the vehicle front end,” Volkswagen said. “The power electronics control the high-voltage energy flow between motor and battery and in this process, the system converts the direct current (DC) stored in the battery to alternating current (AC) for the drive motor. The 12 V DC electrical system is simultaneously supplied with low voltage by a DC/DC converter.”

When it comes to design the ID.3 bears a clear resemblance to the Golf as well, even if many of the smaller details are unique to the needs of an electric car. Due to the fact that the ID.3 does not need cooling ports, the front end aims to maximize aerodynamic efficiency with the vehicle’s drag coefficient measuring at 0.267. Interactive matrix LED headlights dominate the front fascia, with a camera located on the windscreen analyzing the traffic situation to adjust the headlights according to the driver’s needs.

While the ID.3 is about as long as the current Golf model, it has a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs as it does not have an engine up front that needs to contribute to a certain weight balance between the axles; the battery stowed under the floor already provides the hatch a low centre of gravity. Outback, the large rear glass is framed by LED light clusters, while the panorama sliding/tilting glass roof is the largest in the entire VW range.

“Viewed from the side, the ID.3 is clearly dominated by completely new proportions and a new style,” Volkswagen said. “Its short overhangs can only be achieved by the fully electrical platform. The long-wheelbase stretches the vehicle and lends it a strong presence. The design is dominated by high levels of precision, clarity and a visionary force.”

The ID.3 kicks off Volkswagen’s range of electric cars.

On the inside, maximizing space was the goal. There’s no centre tunnel, and the modest overhangs allowed designers to carve out as much room for the five passengers and their cargo as possible. The driver’s space has a minimalist feel with touch-sensitive controls, while a 10-inch display provides all the crucial data. The ID.3 will also offer an augmented reality head-up display as an option, in addition to voice control.

“With the ID.3, Volkswagen is heading towards the future,” said Klaus Bischoff, head designer of the Volkswagen brand. “The natural style and absolutely intuitive user experience demonstrate a new, electric way of thinking.”

That future will get the to the U.S. relatively soon even if the ID.3 itself will not — VW is not bringing it here. Instead, the first of the ID lineup will land here in 2021 as the production version of the ID Crozz electric crossover, which has already been previewed in concept form. With hatchback sales being where they are in the U.S. — not at the top of the list, to put it mildly — an electric crossover will be the first model from the ID range to tempt buyers, and it’s expected to be sized close to the Tiguan.

The ID.3, meanwhile, is expected to spark several offshoots among Volkswagen Automotive Group’s other brands: We’ve already seen the SEAT el-Born concept earlier this spring that will be an ID.3 with the different exterior design, and a Skoda version may not be far behind.
But eventually, VW is expected to field some electric hatchback in the U.S. It would be difficult to imagine VW deep in the 2020s without a Golf-size electric hatchback in its lineup.

I’m Bob Aldons, the owner and founder of The Car Guy, and Car Business, reviewing cars, reporting on car industry matters, car tech, Formula 1, the motoring world at large and helping you to buy #anynewcarcheaper

I’ve spent the last forty-one years immersed in the automotive industry from salesman to the owner of a 7 brand multi-franchise dealership and since 2015, as a new car broker.

I know cars.

Find One

If you’re hunting around for a great price on your next new car, you should call me, the car buying expert, from Car Business.

My company, a Brisbane Car Broker, Car Buyers Agent or Car Buyers Advocate, will return your inquiry within 24 hours and make the process of buying a new car easy and stress-free.

Are you tired of salesperson tricks? I protect you from the pressure exerted by car dealer’s salespeople. There isn’t any obligation – just a pretty significant saving in terms of time, stress and financial reward.

You’re where? Seriously, my services are available for you in any Australian state and territory: from Darwin to Hobart, Cairns to Perth.  Car Broker Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, and Darwin – I’m available when you need me to be.

Whether you’re a retail customer, a small company or a large national fleet, I’ll go to work and get that price down. Lower new car prices are my goal. So you’ll get the best prices from me rather than hoping you can do it by yourself.

If I can’t get you the best new car price, better than you can get yourself from a car dealer, I won’t charge you any fee. No Saving, No Fee. – that’s what you should expect from a car buying expert.

Car Business will help you to purchase your next new car – Cheaper

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If you’d like to support this worthwhile foundation, donate to the cause, become a member today or buy your next new car from Car Business.

People Also Ask/Frequently Asked Questions

 Car Buyers always seem to need answers on a vast number of topics about their cars.

There are a few questions that I’m asked regularly, so to save you a phone call, check out my “People Also Ask” questions and answers below.

If your question isn’t listed, I’m happy for you to call me on 0418 748 498 or send an email to [email protected]

My advice is free.

Q: Why Should I deal with a Car Broker rather than just going to a dealer?

A: It’s the goal and the job of a car salesperson to make as much money for his dealership as he possibly can. And that applies to the car, finance (finance and insurance), and aftermarket sales (tint, paint, interior, rust).

It’s the role of a car broker or car buyer’s agent to buy the same car at the lowest possible price. Your broker will get prices from at least five dealers or more, get independent finance and insurance quotes and then only recommend the car protection you need rather than the products the dealer wants to sell you. Dealers, on average, make around $3800 on a car sale. An astute broker will get that margin down to around $1800, saving you about $2000 on your vehicle purchase

Q: Should I take Finance and Insurance through a car dealer?

A: Generally no. An average car dealer relies on the car buyer to be exhausted after the trauma and stress of actually buying a car. They depend on their finance manager to make an average profit of $1100 for EVERY car buyer coming into their dealership. The income per finance contract rests around $2700 per contract. In recent times, the ACCC (Australian Consumer and Competition Commission) has looked closely at the way that finance companies and their dealers sell to consumers. Recently, voluntarily, finance companies have reduced the flex rate (the maximum rate allowed to be charged over the base rate for particular consumers) to 2%, down from 8%.

There is still need to be wary of some of the non-standard lenders. For those in our community who have fallen on hard times, have bad credit or are on Centrelink benefits, some lenders are still allowed to charge exorbitant interest rates, upwards of 25%.

Q: It’s a fact that dealers, forced by their manufacturers charge very high prices for genuine spare parts. Recently I needed to purchase a set of head bolts for a 2008 Alfa Romeo Sedan. Price quoted by my local dealer was $294. I picked them up from the UK for $115 including freight to Australia. I expect to receive them at the same time as the local dealer would take to get them from Melbourne.

A: It’s not the dealer’s fault on this occasion. Typically a dealer makes around 20% profit on genuine spare parts sales. It’s the manufacturer/Importer who is charged prices higher than dealers in overseas markets can buy at. Shop around. To determine whether you can buy the part you need, you’ll first need the part number. Get your VIN, ring the local dealer and ask for the part number. They may oblige and if they do, just search on the net through Google. You’ll be amazed. There’ll even be local suppliers who can provide a genuine part for you at around overseas prices. For Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Isuzu Ute and Volkswagen, visit my site www.genuinespares.com.au

Q: If you have a larger vehicle, with a lot of glass area, the chances are that you’ll want or need window tinting. At the point of sale, dealers will want to charge you up to $795 to tint the windows of your car. Again, you’ll want to avoid the stress and pressure of negotiating anymore and sign where you’re asked.

A: Window tinting can be obtained for under $400 through Car Business. My company has arrangements with local tint shops to do just that price – $400. Don’t be overcharged. $400 is the price to pay for the average vehicle

Q: How do I pick the right car for my needs?

A: Typically, car buyers will have a general idea of what sort of car they want to buy. However, in a market like ours with nearly 60 brands and thousands of models, historical ownership doesn’t have to be maintained.  Find an honest buyer’s agent and have a chat to them about your requirements. My company, Car Business, offers this service to our customers without any obligation. You can fill out the lifestyle form, by clicking and a representative of Car Business will contact you to discuss your needs. We use the R J Pound Comparative new Vehicle Price Guide to assist buyers in understanding the alternatives. It may not be the one you’re thinking about right now.

Q: I need some accessories for my new car, but I’m not sure that I’m getting the best price from the dealer

A: Accessories are another area that dealers make a lot of their profit. Apart from the window tinting, paint and interior protection and rustproofing, a typical salesperson will run through a long list of accessories. Even the manufacturer has copious amounts of accessories in their new car brochure.

Don’t feel obligated to buy any accessories you want through the dealer. I suggest to a lot of my customers to phone the spare parts department of the same dealer and ask for a quote on the accessories they want. You might be surprised at a price. The other way is to search on the internet. There are lots of retailers who buy the same parts you want from overseas suppliers (even ones that supply the manufacturer directly) and will offer them at a substantially better price. All you have to do it fit them up, but generally it’s a pretty easy thing to do for the home handyman

Q: If I sell my car privately will I get a better price?

A: It is sometimes possible to achieve a higher price with a private sale; however this reduces significantly if your vehicle is not presented correctly and is no longer under warranty. The private buyer today is looking to receive the same benefits they would by purchasing from a Dealer and expect huge reductions in price if they believe they are disadvantaged. Add to this the cost of preparing your vehicle to the same standards as Motor Dealers. Look at such items as Safety Certificates, Service, Tyres, Windscreen, Chips and Scratches, Detailing, and Advertising along with the need to be accessible and available at all times including weekends when prospective buyers will want to inspect your vehicle. It may not be the wise choice to have people you do not know, coming to your home.

Once the costs and time involved are assessed,  most people choose to trade their present vehicle or to use a professional Car Buying Service to ensure they get a good price without the expense or hassle.

Q: Do you allow and/or recommend RACQ Inspections on second-hand cars?

A: Yes, we welcome the RACQ Inspection Process in our business and recognise the need for such an independent examination. Once completed, I’ll discuss the report with you and facilitate any repairs that are deemed necessary. You can arrange for the RACQ to visit my business. I can arrange for them to inspect your choice of vehicle and have them send the report directly to you if you prefer.

Q: Why are dealers so expensive for service in comparison to other service centres?

A: Dealers service and maintain vehicles as set out by the manufacturer’s recommendations to protect your new car warranty. They will generally be willing to match other service providers as long as they are comparing “like for like”.

Your circumstances can be taken into account regarding changing some filters and coolants etc. They also have factory trained technicians and have the support of specialised equipment and of course the proper factory support. There are many other reasons such as resale value, and when it comes to trade-in price, car retailers always look at maintained service books and especially if a dealer has serviced them.

On the other hand, if you’re carefully managing your money, we can arrange a logbook service at one of our preferred providers.

Do I need to return my vehicle to the selling dealer for service?

The simple answer is NO!

While dealers may suggest or insist that your new car is brought back to their service department, the reality is:

1. You can take your car to any of the brand’s service centres for routine or warranty service. Brand X warranty is covered by the manufacturer, not by the dealer. So if there’s a more convenient location to have your car serviced, take it there.
2. Dealers may suggest that you have to have your car serviced at the franchised dealer to maintain your warranty. Again that’s a falsehood. You can have your car serviced by any qualified mechanic or technician, provided that they follow the service guidelines for your vehicle as specified by the manufacturer
   1. They should use as a minimum the oil grade specified by the manufacturer and also parts that are of the same quality standard. You shouldn’t use inferior parts. While I would suggest using the manufacturer’s parts, there are similarly high-quality non-genuine parts available on the market. Things like brake pads, brake rotors, air and oil filters, spark plugs and the like are often cheaper and as good quality as those supplied but the manufacturer

How often should I check my Tyre Pressures?

I check my tyre pressures monthly. I have a tyre gauge purchased from Repco that I rely on to check the pressures in my tyres. Arguably, it’s probably better to check your tyre pressures every second time that you fill your fuel tank. High volume petrol centres have good quality air pumps, and it only takes a few minutes to do that after you’ve got your fill.

What should I do if my car breaks down at night?

Firstly, I’m suggesting that you be in a roadside assistance program such as provided by the RACQ.

If you’ve purchased a new car, you’ll have coverage under your new car warranty. Kia Motors Australia provides seven years of roadside assistance in coordination with their warranty. Hyundai and Ford have a 5-year program.

Mitsubishi provides roadside assistance after the first year provided you’re having your services done at one of their dealerships.

If you run out of roadside assistance, best sign up with RACQ or your state motoring body. (NRMA, RACV, etc.) It’s far from sensible to break down on a dark or unlit road and then have to do repairs yourself, particularly for younger drivers.

A phone call from inside a locked car is preferable to having to find a phone booth or a ‘friendly neighbour’ to call for help

If you’d like to discuss anything to do with the purchase, trade-in, private sale, service, warranty issues or just have a conversation about the motor industry in Australia, please give me a call on 0418 748 498 or email to [email protected] 

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