Thanks to its newly developed design DNA, the ID.3 is immediately identifiable as a zero emission vehicle – with the potential of becoming a new automotive icon. Most of all, its innovative merging of design and technology puts the ID.3 on the same level as the iconic Beetle and Golf. It demonstrates the design of a new era and links its natural shape and intuitive usability with the characteristic Volkswagen smile. Designed for an electrifying future, it brings a new design quality to the compact vehicle category thanks to perfect, seamless aesthetics. For example, following the concept of “light is the chrome of the future”, the vehicle uses LED lighting in multiple areas to stage the ID.3 design. Most importantly, the ID.3 sends a signal: the ID.3 interacts with people. This is consistent with a clear, reduced style, maximum precision of all components, a charismatic front section, iconic, striking C-pillars, flowing surfaces and emphatic, expressive wheels featuring sporty, 18-, 19- or 20-inch light-alloy wheels that promise a completely new driving experience from the outset. “With the ID.3 Volkswagen is heading towards the future”, explains Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer of the Volkswagen brand. “The natural style and absolutely intuitive user experience demonstrate a new, electric way of thinking.”
Front end: look into my eyes. An electric vehicle does not require large cooling ports. And consequently almost everything changes in terms of the front end design. With its Beetle and Bus, Volkswagen is the automotive brand whose original design did away with front-facing cooling grilles. Details, such as the headlights, are thus lent primary significance. In theID.3, the once static headlights make way for interactive matrix LED headlights with a light output of 750 lumen and Dynamic Light Assist main-beam control: a camera on the windscreen analyses road users ahead as well as oncoming traffic. On the basis of this data, the main beam automatically switches on at speeds over 60 km/h and remains active without dazzling oncoming traffic. This noticeably improves the illumination of the road surface and the side of the road at dawn and at night. A further highlight of the matrix LED headlights is when drivers approach a parked ID.3 1ST, its headlights will briefly look at them and “flutter the eyelids” – friendly and with a human touch.
Outline: new proportions. Viewed from the side, the ID.3 is clearly dominated by completely new proportions and a new style. 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 flowing surfaces of the outline below the main design line form an overall harmoniousness that is almost sensual. The diamond-shaped “ID. Honeycomb” foil at the C-pillar is a striking design element inspired by honeycomb – one of nature’s most impressive shapes. Honeycomb is super-light, extremely stable and absolutely sustainable and thus symbolises the basic idea of the MEB platform. Its design resembles the same principle as honeycomb: always with an identical structure and suitable for individual enhancements at any time.
Rear end: distinctive perspective. The glass boot lid is set apart by its dark colour. It stretches across the entire width of the vehicle. The large rear window is defined towards the sides by vertical aerodynamics elements; towards the bottom, the section is divided by striking, horizontally arranged and very slim LED tail light clusters. The ID.3 1ST’s glossy, panorama sliding/tilting glass roof edged in black is the largest of the entire Volkswagen model range and not only gives a view to the sky, but also adds headroom – contributing to a new feeling of spaciousness.
Compact dimensions. The ID.3 applies the design liberties of an electric vehicle in an uncompromising way. All in all, it is approximately as long as a Golf, but thanks to its shorter overhangs, its wheelbase is larger than that of any other vehicles in its category. Expressed in figures this means that the four-door ID.3 is 4,261 mm long, 1,809 mm wide and 1,552 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. In keeping with the DIN standard, its minimum kerb weight is 1,719 kilograms and the maximum load capacity is between 416 and 541 kilograms, depending on the vehicle’s equipment. Its end face is merely 2.36 square metres in size, delivering a drag coefficient of 0.267. The ID.3’s turning circle is also a mere 10.2 metres – comparable with that of a small car and ideally suited for urban environments. Anyone seeking to transport their bicycle with the ID.3 can do so using a special towing bracket suitable not only for installing a bicycle carrier, but also other transport carriers and providing a vertical towbar load of 75 kilograms.
Revolutionary interior concept. No centre tunnel, shorter overhangs: the Open Space interior of the ID.3 provides a surprisingly large amount of room and sets new benchmarks in the compact vehicle category, thanks to a spatial feeling comparable to that in the lower, mid-range segment. The five seats of the ID.3 1ST are complemented by a boot volume of 385 litres behind the second row of seats. Guests travelling in the ID.3 find themselves in a mobile space with a completely new concept, layout and design. Volkswagen calls it Open Space – a pure, airy space. The sculptured, flowing surface structure has been inspired by nature’s shapes – bionic design rather than rational technology. Thanks to its organically shaped surfaces and soft curves, the design emphasises openness.