Cars

Lower-powered motor helps cut VW ID3 price

Volkswagen ID3
Volkswagen ID3 Volkswagen ID3

VOLKSWAGEN has added a lower-powered motor option for its all-electric ID3 battery car.

The so-called Pro motor makes 143bhp and has 273lb ft of torque, figures which are broadly the same as VW's 1.5-litre petrol engine. A key difference, of course, is the smoother drive and instant torque characteristics of an EV.

The Pro motor joins the 201bhp 'Pro Performance' unit already offered.

The Pro is offered with Life, Business and Family trim levels and with a starting price of £28,670, shaves around £1,000 off the price of the respective Performance Pro versions.

Volkswagen ID3
Volkswagen ID3 Volkswagen ID3

The 0-62mph time is 9.6 seconds - compared to the Pro Performance's brisker 7.3 seconds - but the more important figure is a range of "up to 263 miles" from its 58kWh battery.

Other additions anticipated to the ID3 line-up this year include a lower-spec entry level 'Pure' trim and a smaller 45kWh battery.

The range topper remains the ID3 Pro S, which starts from £39,290.

It has the 201bhp motor and uses a 77kWh battery to give a range of up to 336 miles. Because of the battery's extra weight, it is slower than the 58kWh cars from 0-62mph, at 7.9 seconds.