Volkswagen wants to launch a new ID.3 and an electric SUV in 2023


For Volkswagen, the year 2023 will be marked in particular by change: relocation of the production of its electric cars to its Wolfsburg plant, development of two new models of the ID.3 and major update of the MEB platform.

Credits: Volkswagen

While Volkswagen has just raised the prices in France of its most popular electric cars, the German brand has just made several major announcements. Indeed, via two press releases, the manufacturer gave details of its strategy for the year 2023.

First of all, Volkswagen intends to offer a long career to the ID.3, its flagship electric city car. In fact, the manufacturer will present a brand new version of the ID.3 in the spring of 2023. If no modification of the engine is on the agenda, it is in terms of design, interior and equipment that the ID.3 will make its moult.

volkswagen id.3 new
Credits: Volkswagen

A brand new ID.3 presented in March 2023

The new ID.3 demonstrates our commitment to quality, design and sustainability. The design has matured and we have improved the materials used in the cabin”. says Volkswagen Board Member Imelda Labbé. The manufacturer adds that this new ID.3 will be equipped with the latest generation of software capable of receiving OTA updates. The standard equipment will also be improved and will now include a 12-inch screen, a removable boot floor and a center console with two cup holders.

In addition, Volkswagen specifies that the integration of Plug and Charge functions and the intelligent route planner for electric vehicles will make the charging experience much simpler and more convenient. According to VWthe first improved ID.3 units will be delivered around the 4th quarter of 2023. Note that these changes will be applied to all models of the city car, whether the ID.3 Pro Life, Business, Style, Max and Pro S Tour.

volkswagen id.3 new
Credits: Volkswagen

Volkswagen launches the MEB+ platform to reach 700 km of autonomy

But that’s not all. If the ID.3 is resisting, so will the MEB platform. Launched with the city car at the end of 2019, the manufacturer’s platform has equipped more than 500,000 VW brand electric cars. Gold, the company has just presented the MEB+ platforman improved version of the first SEM of the name.

With SEM+, Volkswagen wants to compensate for the delay in the development of the SSP platform, which is supposed to embody the future of the group. “The SEM still has great potential. Our ambition is to take this platform to the next level. To this end, we are making substantial investments to advance this technology. The MEB+ platform puts us in an excellent position for the years to come”, assures Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen.

As specified by the manufacturer, this new version will erase some youthful defects of the MEB platform starting with the load powers. With MEB+, charging powers could reach between 175 and 200 kWwhile the range of vehicles could approach the 700 km. And this thanks to the integration of new prismatic batteries, lighter and more efficient.

volkswagen id.3 new
Credits: Volkswagen

A brand new SUV in the ID.3 range

Furthermore, the MEB+ platform should make its debut in a brand new electric SUV from the brand.This is the most buoyant segment currently on the market. It is precisely in this segment that the Tiguan is positioned, with undeniable success with the public. The new model will perfectly complement the ID.4 and ID.5 offer, models that are in great demand”. says the boss.

Finally, in order to carry out all its projects, Volkswagen has confirmed a substantial investment of 460 million euros. This amount will be used primarily for relocate the production of its future electric vehicles to the Wolfsburg plant, the manufacturer’s main site. This is where the new ID.3 and the SUV mentioned above will be manufactured.

Volkswagen stands for electromobility for everyone. And Wolfsburg will be part of this success story. In our main plant alone, we will invest some 460 million euros by early 2025 to prepare the plant for MEB […] At the same time, we are working closely together to bring another electric model based on the MEB+ to Wolfsburg (editor’s note: the famous SUV)” Thomas Schäfer told his employees. As a reminder, Volkswagen plans to launch no less than 10 new electric vehicles by 2026.



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