Volkswagen has revealed that its first model in the fully electric ID range will be called the ID3.

The car will receive its official world premiere at the IAA international motor show in Frankfurt and, according to Volkswagen, will be as important to the brand as the Beetle and the Golf.

While the Beetle once mobilised the masses and the Golf, as the class leader, featured great innovations in each generation, the ID will make pure electric motoring accessible to a broad spectrum of customers, said the manufacturer.

“With the ID3, we are starting from the centre, the Volkswagen brand’s core, in which the majority of the models and sales volume can be found,” explained Jurgen Stackmann, member of the board of management Volkswagen brand for sales, marketing and after sales.

“The number 3 also signals expandability into the segments above and below it. We have a lot in the pipeline.”

The ID3 will be available in three battery options, with a ‘real world’ range starting from around 200 miles rising to 340 miles and a starting price of under €30,000 (£25,800) in Germany. No UK pricing has yet been announced. 

Customers can pre-book an ID3 from today at www.volkswagen.co.uk/id by paying a registration deposit of £750. In its first-year, there will be 30,000 vehicles available Europe-wide

Volkswagen’s new fully electric car will also be carbon neutral. Both battery cell production and ID production are oriented towards this goal, for example, with the consistent use of power from renewable sources. Unavoidable emissions in the production process will be compensated for by certified climate projects.

Production of the ID3 is to start at the end of this year and the first vehicles are to be delivered to customers in mid-2020.

Volkswagen UK is offering the car in special edition ID3 Plus form, which features large wheel rims and comprehensive equipment, including voice control and navigation system, IQ Light and bi-color exterior and interior design.

In most markets, the ordering phase for pre-booking customers will start just after the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Customers will then be able to place a binding order for an ID3 Plus with the Volkswagen retailer they prefer. Up to that point, customers will be able to cancel their registration at any time without any charge, in which case the registration deposit will be immediately refunded.

Pre-booking is being offered in 29 European markets. The most important markets in Europe for the ID3, says Volkswagen, will be Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK and Austria. On average, Volkswagen plans to deliver more than 100,000 vehicles per year to customers.

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