Changes that make the electric hatch eligible for local availability shown off in Germany.

UPDATES that give the cheapest electric car Volkswagen makes a tick for New Zealand availability have been unveiled, but don’t expect to see them until perhaps 2024.

Volkswagen claims the alterations it has made to the ID.3 electric hatch are significant enough to warrant it being considered a 'second-generation' to the first car, which dates back to 2019 - but didn’t hit sale until mid-2020 - was VW’s first bespoke electric model and introduced the MEB architecture that is now underpinning all VW Group electrics. 

Although first-gen ID.3s are here, they are grey imports, not officially distributed product. The Cupra Born, coming on sale around August, is based off the ID.3, but has sportier looks.

VW NZ decided more than a year ago to hold off selling the gen 1 for two reasons. Primarily, the ID.4 and ID.5 rolling in this year - latest arrival date being around August - as larger models and crossovers (though on a common platform), were considered better suited to NZ tastes than a hatchback.

Also, it had been given a heads up that the car revealed overnight to the world offers solutions to issues customers of the original complained about. Primarily, these were to do with the infotainment and some instrumentation.

As is, the updated model was pulled forward to address that feedback, but even though availability in Europe is close, the export markets are not expected to be served this year.

Volkswagen Australia, which is also chasing the car, thinks it is not expected until 2024 or even 2025. 

Unsurprisingly, the freshened car appears broadly similar to the pre-facelift model, but the bonnet has been slightly redesigned and there’s a new front bumper, an active shutter system, and air curtains to improve aerodynamics. 

Tail-lights have been upgraded to include illumination for the tailgate section, an X-shape for the brake lights, and sequential indicators.

The new car has newly-designed alloy wheels, a thicker beltline, the removal of the c-pillar dot pattern, and a new dark olivine green exterior colour.

There’s no alternation to the wheelbase (2770mm) and length and width respectively remain at 4261mm and 1809mm, but  it is 6mm lower at 1562mm.

The car gains higher-quality interior materials in response to customer and media feedback, with soft-touch materials and remodelled door panels with larger hand rests.

Flagship variants also receive softer materials on the upper part of the dashboard.

 Volkswagen said the ID.3 is now 'animal-free', with faux leather used on the steering wheel, while the door trims and seat covers are now produced from 71 per cent reused plastic waste.

 The larger free-standing 12-inch infotainment screen receives updated, clearer graphics, a more informative charging menu, and an optional cloud-based voice control system for a smoother experience.

While the 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster is retained, the ID.3 borrows augmented reality technology for its head-up display from the ID.4 and the ID.Buzz, the cool retro reprise of the orginal Kombi that was expected in NZ around now, but has also been delayed a year.

Regardless of criticism, the car retains its touch-sensitive controls rather than regressing to physical buttons and also keeps its single-switch window controls.

The MEB electric vehicle architecture is not altered, so it has the usual rear-mounted 150kW and 310Nm electric motor, hooked to a 58kWh or 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a claimed WLTP-rated driving range of up to 546 kilometres with the latter, which is the size chosen for ID.4 and ID.5 and, also, their more expensive Skoda cousin, the Enyaq iV.

 Volkswagen claims a “smaller battery is planned for the future," but this cheaper variant – likely with a 45kWh unit – won't form part of the initial lineup.