Electric car wins Best Small Hatch

Volkswagens latest electric car, the ID.3, wins Best Small Hatch.  With more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road map for most car manufacturers, VW has been one of the leaders of converting their production over to electric.  With some icons of motoring history under their belt, can VW bring some of that to life in the EV world?  

They’re not doing bad it seems with the ID.3 having won yet another award.   This latest award is the model’s tenth so far in the UK, all accolades from motoring publications, consumer titles, electric vehicle experts and more.  This trend will be interesting to watch as the early attempts to covert us to electric were bizarre styles of car in the motoring world that were far removed from most people’s tastes.  Its pleasing, from a personal perspective, that more ‘normal’ and sporty styles are coming out rather than geeky early designs.

The judging panel for the UK Car of the Year Awards highlighted the ID.3 for its design, space and practicality, its key role in Volkswagen’s goal to bring e-mobility to the masses, and its faithfulness to the idea and design set out by the original I.D. concept of 2016. Its familiarity and ease of use for those transitioning to electric vehicles was also hailed. 

Bringing electric to mass production

Judging panellist and motoring journalist, Alex Robbins, described the ID.3 as: “A brilliant family hatch in its own right, with a smart interior and plenty of space for a family. Yet it’s also an accessible, easy to use electric car that will surely bring electric motoring to the masses,” while fellow motoring journalist and panellist Guy Bird, said: “It’s always nice – but all too rare – when a concept car makes production with original design intent intact. The ID.3 is such a vehicle, with high-roofed hatchback silhouette present and correct – proportionally offset by large wheels – and with product design-influences galore.”

Judging panellist and motoring journalist, Alex Robbins, described the ID.3 as: “A brilliant family hatch in its own right, with a smart interior and plenty of space for a family. Yet it’s also an accessible, easy to use electric car that will surely bring electric motoring to the masses,”.  Fellow motoring journalist and panellist Guy Bird, said: “It’s always nice – but all too rare – when a concept car makes production with original design intent intact. The ID.3 is such a vehicle, with high-roofed hatchback silhouette present and correct – proportionally offset by large wheels – and with product design-influences galore.”

This year sees the ID.3 gain even more breadth of appeal, with the arrival of additional battery and specification variants, following the second, 145 PS Pro motor option introduced in February.

An all electric SUV ID.4 now available 

The ID.4 – Volkswagen’s first fully-electric SUV – is available to order by UK customers in 1^ST Edition trim now, with deliveries to customers commencing imminently.  This looks to compare to the Ford Mustang Mach-E in size so will be good to see how these two battle it out and whether Volkswagen will win more awards like the ID.3 

For the first time ever Volkswagen is offering a fully electric SUV – the ID.4. As the second ID model from the brand to be launched, it boasts what is being called class-leading digitalisation and connectivity.  A new highly-efficient electric powertrain and battery layout , the ongoing charge to achieve the magical ‘tank of fuel’ distance on an EV continues.  What is interesting on this ID model I find, VW state the availability of four-wheel drive ID4 at a later date. Like the ID.3 the new model is being launched as a limited-run 1^ST Edition with a range of pre-configured trim levels to follow later in the year. The ID.4 1^ST Edition will cost £37,800 RRP OTR after the plug-in vehicle grant is applied, and is expected to arrive in dealerships during March.

If you’ve got an EV or looking to get one, would like to get the latest electric car chargers, get in touch and I’d be happy to chat over and find the right solution.  

If you’ve got some EV news you’d like to share, get in touch too, we’d love to look over and take for a test drive.