Volkswagen is currently undergoing a major transformation; it is desperately trying to scrub off the soot left behind by numerous emissions scandals and is investing heavily in EV and advanced vehicle tech. The German company is investing $7.1 billion into US production and has been hard at work expanding its line of all-electric ID. vehicles (we currently only get the Volkswagen ID.4), and as part of that push, it has just released a new generation of software updates for the ID. range. "ID. Software 3.0" brings with it a ton of improvements from efficiency to safety and promises to raise the bar by a mile or two.

The new software update will offer new intelligent driver assistance options, including Travel Assist with Swarm Data, Park Assist Plus, a Park Assist memory function, new digital display formats, optimized voice control, and upgraded battery charging parameters.

The exciting new driver assistance feature, Travel Assist with Swarm Data, keeps your car centered in its lane at all times but adapts to the user's driving style to start sticking to the left- or right-hand side of the lane. The tech also adapts speed and following distances, and makes use of two new radars at the rear plus ultrasound technology. Park Assist Plus is also a nifty new feature that allows your VW to find a parking spot for you at speeds of up to 40 kph (25 mph) in large parallel parking spaces, and 20 kph (12 mph) for bay parking spaces. The memory function allows the car to remember up to five different parking maneuvers. The update will also add additional features to the optional head-up display, such as better integrated turn signals and new symbols. Navigation systems are also improved with precise lane identification and new local hazard warnings.

The voice control system will now recognize voice commands much faster and more precisely and can pick up where in the car commands are coming from, when, for example, changes need to be made to the dual-zone climate control system.

Models with the 77-kilowatt-hour battery can now charge a maximum of 135 kW instead of 125 kW, and improvements to the thermal management system will further increase range. The new Battery Care Mode will limit the state-of-charge (SOC) charge limit to 80%. The new smart e-router planner can now create clever multi-stop routes and suggest better charging strategies.

All these updates bring VW that much closer to delivering on its promises to make autonomous driving available to its customers by 2030 and to go carbon neutral by 2050.

"Again, we are living up to our claim of offering high-quality technologies and innovations in all classes," says Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand, responsible for Technical Development.