New Volkswagen ID 3: July confirmed as UK on-sale date
Volkswagen ID 3
VW will put the ID 3 on sale in the UK in mid-July, with first deliveries due in September
The Volkswagen ID 3 will go on sale in the UK in mid-July, with deliveries on track to begin in September, despite the impact of the coronavirus and a number of software issues with the car.
Originally revealed by the brand's sales boss, Autocar has now had the official UK dates confirmed. The model first goes on sale in select European markets next week.
New details of the ID 3's well-publicised software issues, and the resolution, have also been detailed. Autocar understands that early cars will be launched without some of the promised augmented reality functions for the car's head-up display, while the firm's App Connect features will also be reduced. A software update will fix this fairly soon after, it is claimed.
The electric hatchback will eventually be offered with three battery capacities and two power outputs, but it will be launched with just a special First Edition model. This will use the mid-size 58kWh battery for a claimed range of 260 miles. It will offer 201bhp driven through the rear wheels, 229lb ft of torque and a top speed of 99mph.
Volkswagen offered a pre-ordering service for the ID 3 First Edition, with more than 35,000 customers worldwide placing a refundable deposit. Those who placed a deposit in continental Europe will be able to buy their cars from 17 June onwards, and Volkswagen sales boss Jürgen Stackmann said the UK will follow in July, due to the extra time required to gain type approval for right-hand-drive versions.
Stackmann also insisted that ID 3 deliveries remained on track to begin this summer, despite the extended production suspension at Volkswagen's Zwickau plant due to Covid-19.
“The focus of the company now is on ID 3,” said Stackmann. “We’re almost ready, and we just need a few more weeks to get the software to where we need it to be. The entire team are working on this topic, and we want to deliver a great quality product on time – and that time is this summer.”
Stackmann added that Volkswagen was still aiming to meet its target of building 100,000 ID 3s this year but that it might be unable to fully recover from the extended shutdown in the second half of the year.
Prices for the ID 3 in the UK will start from around £27,500 before the government grant for the entry-level 45kWh version. Volkswagen has yet to confirm a UK price for the First Edition but has said that it's expected to cost between £36,000 and £39,000. Buyers will be able to choose from four exterior colours.
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