New Volkswagen ID.3 Getting New Name — ID.3 Neo — But What’s Changed?

The Volkswagen ID.3 was a huge marker in Volkswagen’s transition to electric vehicles. I still remember one of our writers, Steve Hanley, reporting from the Volkswagen factory in Germany when the first units rolled off the production line. Some of the biggest names in German politics, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, were there for the event. Wow … that was more than 6 years ago!

Now it’s apparently time for a big update to the model, and that includes a new name for some reason. The new Volkswagen ID.3 Neo will be shown off in its full glory at an unveiling event in the middle of April. In the meantime, this is what Volkswagen is telling us will be new and improved, mostly due to it having Volkswagen’s newest software:

• Enhanced Travel Assist with traffic light detection
• One-Pedal Driving
• Vehicle-to-Load functionality — “option of supplying power to external devices — from electric grills to e-bikes — with an output of up to 3.6 kW directly from the high-voltage battery.”
• New Innovision infotainment system, including a new app store. “As with a smartphone, popular apps from areas such as audio, video streaming, parking, charging and gaming are available for download here.”
• Option of a digital key. “This enables convenient access to the vehicle using a mobile device (smartphone, smartwatch).The digital vehicle key supplements the classic vehicle key. Communication takes place wirelessly in a similar way to payment processes with a smartphone; a special app is not required.”
• Greater efficiency and range are also coming with the new version of the model. “There are also new developments in the areas of engine and battery: the ID.4 and ID.5 Pure entry-level models are equipped with the APP 350, a new 140 kW (190 PS) drive system that offers increased torque and lowers fuel consumption compared with the previous APP 310 motors. This enables the range of the ID.4 to be increased by up to 40 km (WLTP), for example. In combination with a new lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) high-voltage battery (58 kWh net), this is an impressive package that is robust and very efficient.”

That all sounds good. I look forward to seeing the full unveiling in April.