Golf

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
Hatchback

It's no secret that Volkswagen will unveil its first ever fully electric car in just a few months at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The EV will be a production version of the I.D. Concept shown at the 2016 Paris Auto Show, but it didn't have a confirmed name - until now. While the automaker's first EV has been referred to as the ID. hatchback, Volkswagen has now confirmed the first member of the I.D. family will be called the ID.3. This name is significant for several reasons.

According to VW, the name indicates the ID. belongs to the compact segment, which is the class distinction in both internal and industry-wide classification systems. It also follows the Beetle and the Golf to "introduce the third major chapter of strategic importance for the history of the brand." The ID. name also stands for intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies.

"With the ID.3, we are starting from the center, the Volkswagen brand's core, in which the majority of the models and sales volume can be found. The number 3 also signals expandability into the segments above and below it. We have a lot in the pipeline," says Jurgen Stackmann, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for Sales, Marketing & After Sales.

Preorders for the Volkswagen ID.3 are also live in Europe ahead of deliveries starting in mid-2020, with the entry-level version costing less than €30,000 ($33,600) in Germany. Initially, a special First Edition will be offered with a WLTP range of 261 miles, cost less than €40,000 ($44,800) and will be limited to 30,000 cars. The entry-level model can travel up to 205 miles on a single charge, while the range-topping version will have a range of 342 miles.

Production of the ID.3 will start at the end of 2019, with customer deliveries beginning in mid-2020. Following the launch of the ID.3 will be the release of additional electric VWs, including production versions of the ID. Crozz, ID. Vizzion, and ID. Roomzz concept cars.