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Volkswagen has given hints of a plan to expand its electric ID 3 range with a new variant.
It is presently gauging customer interest for the new model thru a social media campaign.
When launched, the ID 3 could be the brand’s first all-electric convertible EV. And a facelifted ID3 could be launched in 2023.
Posting on LinkedIn, Volkswagen CEO, Ralf Brandstätter, suggested that an open-roof version of the brand's electric hatchback "could provide an entirely new, extraordinary feeling of freedom". He added that the concept is "a very tempting idea", and that Volkswagen is considering how it could be taken to production.
VW Group CEO Herbert Diess took to Twitter to introduce the concept, asking followers: "We‘re thinking about an e-convertible, maybe an ID 3 convertible. What do you think?"
An early sketch of the Volkswagen ID 3 convertible has been created ‘just in case” the production version is green-lighted. This model too would lose its rear door, like the T-Roc crossover, for improved structural rigidity. Also, it would wear a subtly tweaked rear-end design to mark it out from the existing hard-top car.
Earlier the Meyers Manx-inspired, MEB-based ID Buggy, after receiving widespread acclaim at the 2019 Geneva motor show, had been tipped for small-scale production but was dropped from the company's product plans as production partner e. Go Mobile filed for bankruptcy, later that year.
The T-Roc Cabriolet is now Volkswagen's only open-roof model in international markets
The flexibility of the ID 3's MEB architecture means development and manufacturing costs would be significantly lower than with a similarly conceived combustion model, increasing the likelihood that such a model could see production, soon,
If Volkswagen does go ahead with the drop-top ID 3, it will likely arrive as part of the hatchback's mid-life facelift, around 2023.
India plans for Volkswagen
In 2021 Volkswagen is set to launch new mass-market models under their India 2.0 plan. It could see the launch of a midsize sedan and midsize SUV – VW Taigun – underpinned by the company’s India-specific MQB A0 IN platform. The VW Taigun will compete against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, while the new midsize sedan – which replaces the VW Vento – will rival the likes of the Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, and Hyundai Verna. VW’s midsize sedan and SUV will be reinforced by the sister models from Skoda.
The standard Tiguan too is expected to be re-launched this year. the standard Tiguan too will be a petrol-only model. An all-electric ID4 is expected to be launched in 2022.