Simple operation. The dash panel of the ID.3 completely does without physical buttons and switches, giving it a reduced and ultra-modern look. The driver looks at a compact display with 5.3-inch diagonal which is operated with touch-sensitive controls in the standard multifunction steering wheel. Three tiles show the most important information, with display of the battery status and range underneath. The driver controls the drive modes and the parking lock with the large rocker switch on the right of the display. A control panel on the left next to the steering wheel integrates the light and vision functions; there is an automatic setting for the headlights.
Touch is best. The central touch display is located in the middle of the dash panel angled slightly towards the driver; its 10-inch screen is as large as a tablet. On this, the driver manages all functions from the areas of telephony, navigation, entertainment, assist systems and vehicle settings, whereby the user interface and start screen can be configured freely according to the driver’s preferences. Sliders for volume and temperature adjustment are located on the inclined surface below the display.
“Hello ID.”. The “Hello ID.” natural voice control is also standard in the ID.3. Here, the car follows the instructions spoken by the driver and passengers and is capable of understanding many commands from everyday language use. The short sentence “Hello ID., I’m cold” is sufficient to turn up the heating, while the statement “Hello ID., play Radio London” switches to a new station.
Augmented reality head-up display. The optional augmented reality head-up display (included in the Infotainment “Plus” package) is a world first in the ID.3. This can project important information onto the windscreen with the turn arrows of the navigation system underneath. The driver sees the information as a three-dimensional, staggered image at an apparent distance of three to ten metres in front of the vehicle. This means that the display is perfectly integrated into the real outside world. When Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Travel Assist (optional) is active, the vehicle in front of the ID.3 is highlighted with a luminous marking in the head-up display from a certain speed.
Infotainment and Infotainment “Plus” packages. If the customer has ordered the Infotainment package, the vehicle will be equipped with the Discover Pro Infotainment system instead of the standard radio. This can be operated either by voice or touch control, and its navigation system includes 3D city models of many cities. The second feature in the Infotainment package is the “Comfort” mobile phone interface. This connects the smartphone to the car aerial and charges it inductively if the phone is suitable for this. The voice-over-LTE protocol ensures fast connection setup and high speech quality. In the Infotainment “Plus” package, Volkswagen supplies the sound package with two additional loudspeakers in addition to the augmented reality head-up display.
Gateway to the mobile network. The Discover Pro links up with the standard Online Connectivity Unit (OCU), which has an embedded electronic SIM card (eSIM). This performs all connectivity tasks, including fast data transfer at LTE Advanced speed.
We Connect Start. The OCU also brings the online services of We Connect Start into the ID.3. The customer must first activate the services online with their Volkswagen ID, and they are then available for a period of three years The most important services here are the navigation services and vehicle-related services. The Online Traffic Information services provide the driver with up-to-the-minute information on the situation on the selected route and possible hazards. New data is regularly downloaded to the car with the Online Map Update function. The Charging Stations service offers live data on charge points in the vicinity. It provides details on their charging capacity and can also provide information on tariffs and availability. If the driver decides to use a charging station, this can be adopted as a destination in the navigation system.
Charging and air conditioning via smartphone. The vehicle-related We Connect Start services that are already available in the car with the standard Ready 2 Discover radio include Charging and Air Conditioning. ID.3 customers can control both functions on their smartphone using the free We Connect ID. app and can also check the charge level of the battery and range of the car.
New electronics platform. There is a radically new, pioneering concept behind the extensive connectivity of the ID.3: the electronics platform developed by Volkswagen is lean, flexible and fast. It allows communication to take place in a similar way to on a stationary server: it does away with the principle of isolated memories and applications and is designed as a wide service platform. This greatly simplifies an exchange of data and functions between the involved systems.
Such flexibility makes it easy to integrate new data packages into the system. Maximum security, including protection against possible external attacks, always has priority – the new data packages must pass through a highly protected authentication process. Basic driving functions such as drive and brake control remain in their separate control units.
New hardware topology. The new electronics platform also includes a new hardware topology. Two central high-performance computers called ICAS (In Car Application Server) form the core of this. In some areas they perform many tasks that are assigned to separate control units in other Volkswagen models. One of the two ICAS combines a large number of separate computers. It is responsible for several driver assist systems and the convenience functions – from unlocking doors and seat adjustment through to lights. The second central computer manages the infotainment system and the displays. It is based on the third-generation modular infotainment matrix (MIB 3) installed in numerous Volkswagen models.
The ID.3 opens up new horizons. ID.3 customers experience the benefits of the new electronics platform with the system update function – this allows the software of the central control units to be updated via the mobile network and makes it possible to continuously optimise many functions. The data record is transmitted to the car when on the move and installed after the end of the journey. It is then available when the vehicle is next started. In the near future, it will also be possible to install new streaming services and additional user interfaces in the car over-the-air, similar to the process customers are familiar with from their smartphones. This means that Volkswagen is opening up completely new horizons.
IQ. Drive assist systems. Assist systems installed in the ID.3 ex works have been bundled under the IQ. Drive umbrella designation. These make driving safer and more relaxed and can contribute to avoiding accidents or mitigating their consequences. In the full equipment configuration, a front radar sensor, front camera, two rear radar sensors and eight ultrasound sensors monitor the area around the car.
Standard systems. The Lane Assist lane keeping system is standard in the ID.3. Its task is to prevent the car from unintentionally crossing a line marking on the road. Front Assist monitors the area in front of the ID.3 with the multifunction camera and reacts to imminent collisions with other road users by means of warnings and braking interventions. The oncoming vehicle braking when turning function monitors the opposite lane when turning off, and issues a warning and also brakes in an emergency. Swerve support helps the driver to drive around obstacles by corresponding steering interventions. In order to avoid minor parking collisions, the standard audible Park Distance Control system also has an integrated manoeuvre braking system.
Eco Assistance is a standard system that is tailor-made for electric driving – it evaluates the navigation data and the road signs detected by the camera. If the ID.3 is approaching a bend or a town boundary, for example, the system can visually indicate to the driver when they should take their foot off the accelerator. This allows the drive system to perform optimum energy recuperation.
Systems in the Assist System package. The optional Assist Systems package includes a rear view camera system. The proactive occupant protection system closes the windows and tensions the seat belts immediately before an imminent crash in order to protect the vehicle occupants in the best possible way. An anti-theft alarm and the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access round off the package.
Systems in the Assist System “Plus” package. The Assist System “Plus” package bundles systems stemming from the luxury class. The most important of these is Travel Assist – this system largely takes over acceleration and braking from the driver at any speed and also helps to keep the ID.3 in its lane by corresponding steering interventions (within system limits). The driver simply has to lightly touch the capacitive steering wheel included in this system in order to keep the adaptive lane guidance active.
Adaptive Cruise Control ACC stop & go with speed limiter is also integrated in Travel Assist. This system controls the distance to the vehicle in front by accelerating and braking as necessary. The system’s functionality is even more predictive in conjunction with Eco Assistance: for instance, the system automatically reduces the ID.3’s speed ahead of town boundaries. ACC stop & go is standard in all preconfigured models available at the sales launch of the ID.3.
Emergency Assist, another system in the Assist System “Plus” package, brakes the car to a standstill if the person behind the wheel is no longer capable of doing so. If possible, it also steers the vehicle to the edge of the road. Side Assist monitors traffic behind the ID.3 with the rear radar systems. If the driver is about to change lane in a critical situation, a warning is issued.