The VW ID. 3 in Pro 3 guise was on display at Zwartkops Raceway this week. Picture: Mpumelelo Macu
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The ID. 3, the first fully electric car mass-produced by Volkswagen, really is a case of three favourite badges rolled into one. It combines the virtues of a Golf, a Passat and a Polo all in one.
The local media got to drive the ID. 3 on Tuesday, albeit limited to a few laps around Zwartkops Raceway. The three electric Volkswagen cars were all left-hand drive in German specification and were not registered for use on South African roads.
Although Volkswagen South Africa is hard at work preparing to launch its comprehensive electric ID range in South Africa, no date has been set yet. Like the e-Golf, Volkswagen tested a fleet of ID. 3s locally before they were shipped back to Germany this week.
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The impressive ID. 3’s exterior size is very similar to that of a Golf. And what’s more, the 160 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque on offer in the Pro 3 model is not that far off what the Golf 8 GTI’s 180kW/370Nm. Where the ID. 3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI do differ is the fact that the ID. 3 is rear wheel driven whereas the GTI’s power goes to the front wheels.
Due to its long 2 765 mm wheelbase with short overhangs, elimination of transmission tunnel and slim dash panel, the ID. 3 offers more interior space than any other model in the segment. In fact, it’s almost as spacious inside as the Passat sedan which is no longer sold locally.
And yet the ID. 3 has a turning circle of only 10.2 meters, making it more agile than the Volkswagen Polo, which has a turning circle of 10.7 meters. Adding the ID. 3’s agility and exceptional handling is its low centre of gravity, which is made possible by the even distribution of battery weigh throughout the chassis floor.
What was clear is that the ID. 3 is no race, but it was never intended to be one. It’s all-round virtues make it an exceptional offering, one that moves Volkswagen one step closer into an exciting future.
For more information on the Volkswagen ID range, click here.
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