Updated Volkswagen ID.3 Electric Hatchback Breaks Cover With New Name

Volkswagen has unveiled the updated ID.3 which gets a revised name. Introduced six years ago, the ID.3 is now receiving its second facelift, with the first update to the electric hatchback having debuted in 2023. In the latest update, the ID.3 now adds a suffix to its name – Neo. The renaming is part of an exercise by Volkswagen to rebrand the entire portfolio of EVs. For instance, the ID 4 is set to be renamed as ID Tiguan.

Besides the change in nomenclature, the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo gets several updates over the current model, although on the face of it, the battery-powered hatchback looks and feels very familiar. Based on the “Pure Positive” design philosophy, the ID.3 Neo gets a revised front fascia with a connected LED light bar and an illuminated logo. Further, the front and rear bumpers and bonnet have been reprofiled.

Volkswagen ID.3 Neo: Brand New Interiors

The interiors, on the other hand, have been relaid completely featuring more premium and softer materials along with a host of physical controls replacing the controversial touch-sensitive slider controls. Additionally, the driver’s door now gets individual buttons for each window. Earlier, it had just two switches along with a toggle to switch control between the front and rear windows. The steering wheel has also been updated, now featuring physical buttons instead of the earlier haptic controls, along with an illuminated VW logo.

The dashboard has been redesigned with a straighter layout to enhance the sense of space, while a new full-length centre console has been introduced based on customer feedback. It includes a storage compartment large enough to hold a 13-inch tablet, along with a wireless charging pad that can accommodate two smartphones. The cabin also gets a new 13-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. Notably, the latter can be customised to mimic the instrument cluster of a 1980s Golf, complete with a charge gauge.

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Volkswagen ID.3 Neo: Tech & Specs

The ID.3 Neo is equipped with Volkswagen’s latest software suite, which enables new features such as Travel Assist (a semi-autonomous driving function) and a one-pedal driving mode. The battery system also adds vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability. In addition, owners can access and operate the car using a digital key on their smartphone.

The rear-wheel-drive hatchback remains available in three powertrain configurations, each paired with a new battery pack. These include a 50kWh unit with a 168 bhp motor, a 58kWh battery with a 188 bhp motor, and a 79 kWh battery coupled to a 228 bhp motor. In its most efficient form, the claimed range now stands at 629 km, marking an improvement of around 32 km over the previous version. The battery can now be fast charged via DC charger up to 183 kW.