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Production of the electric Volkswagen ID.3 is underway; UK deliveries going ahead in summer 2020 despite software issues
Following speculation that software issues had caused delays to the early stages of Volkswagen ID.3 production, the company has insisted that UK customers will still start to receive their cars this summer.
According to rumours in the German media, early ID.3s have come off the production line with unfinished software and delivery dates have needed to be pushed forward to allow for an update. Our sister title Auto Express understands that some left-hand-drive markets may be subject to a delay of around two months.
While Volkswagen admits that the cars will require a software update, it has confirmed in a statement that UK delivery timings are unaffected. “The timeline for the ID.3 has not changed. Production of the First Edition began with a very flat start-up curve, rising steadily to market launch this summer,” the statement said.
“Our aim is to deliver 30,000 ID.3 First Editions simultaneously to customers in our pre-booking markets in Europe. The software is installed in the vehicles when they are produced in Zwickau – and will be updated to the latest version in the summer prior to customer handover.”
Production versions of the ID.3 began rolling out of the company’s plant in Zwickau in early November 2019. The factory contains 1,700 robots, with driverless transport systems and automated manufacturing technology used throughout the line; it’ll build electric vehicles only from 2021.
Volkswagen ID.3 low-speed sound signature
Volkswagen has previewed the low-speed sound signature that its ID.3 electric hatchback will emit in order to warn other road users of its presence. The sound was premiered at the company’s ‘DRIVE.Forum’ event in Berlin in early December.As of July 2019, all newly introduced electric cars have had to come with a sound generator that emits noise at speeds up to 30kph (19mph), as well as when moving off or reversing. This came in response to concerns that other road users – such as pedestrians and cyclists, and in particular visually impaired people – could be in danger of not noticing a nearby electric car due to its near-silent running.
The setup is known as an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), and although the volume of sound emitted is specified by regulations, the noise itself is not, which gives car manufacturers the opportunity to develop different ‘sound signatures’ to set their models apart. You can hear the ID.3’s by playing the embedded video above.
The AVAS in the ID.3 can be heard both inside and outside at up to 19mph. Inside the vehicle, different stages of the driving sound can be heard based on your speed and accelerator pedal position. Beyond this speed, the vehicle’s rolling resistance and driving noise become more prominent.
Commenting on the sound, VW’s chief development officer for passenger cars, Dr Frank Welsch, said: “An electric vehicle’s sound defines its identity. The sound should be confident and likeable. It may well sound futuristic and must also impress with its unique character.”
Production versions of the ID.3 began rolling out of the company’s plant in Zwickau in early November 2019. The factory contains 1,700 robots, with driverless transport systems and automated manufacturing technology used throughout the line. Zwickau will build electric vehicles only from 2021. Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were in attendance for the start of production.
Volkswagen ID.3 1ST
The Golf-sized ID.3 will initially launch as a limited-edition ‘1ST’ model that’s already sold out, with 30,000 pre-orders. It’s unclear how many of those have been allocated to the UK, but a waiting list has been set up for those who missed the chance. The ID.3 1ST comes with a 58kWh motor producing 201hp at the rear wheels. Acceleration figures haven’t been released, but the ID.3 is engineered for a more leisurely pace with a top speed of 99mph.Driving more sedately should help the 1ST get near its maximum range of 261 miles. Connected to a fast charger for 30 minutes will give it enough juice for 180 miles. Meanwhile, the car will support two forms of AC charging – 7.2 and 11kW – as well as being compatible with fast charging at up to 125kW using a CCS connector.
Volkswagen is offering ID.3 1ST buyers a year of free charging (up to 2,000kWh) on the fledgling IONITY network, as well as an eight-year/99,000-mile warranty on its battery unit for peace of mind. Following the ID.3 1ST, more versions will launch, offering more battery options including a 45kWh with a range of 205 miles and a larger-capacity 77kWh and a range of 342 miles.
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