At a presentation in a hangar at Weston Aerodrome in Celbridge, the prototype of the car is on display for the 'pre-bookers', with four workshop modules where they are getting details of the charging systems, the car itself, finance options, and a timeline for when they may get their car.
The pre-bookers will have an 8-week 'window' in March-April to confirm their purchase and take up a finance option that suits them. Those who change their mind, or don't confirm, will get their €1,000 back.
According to Mark McGrath of Volkswagen Group Ireland, the more than four hundred pre-bookers here, in proportion to population, is 'massive' in comparison with many other markets. Some 36,000 overall have pre-booked to get the limited edition '1st' ID 3. They will get their cars in summer 2020, while the standard car for further buyers won't be delivered in Ireland until likely January 2021.
The Golf-sized car will be offered with two battery options, providing estimated ranges of 480kms or 550kms. A sprint performance to 100km/h of 7.3 seconds is equivalent to a Golf GTI hot hatch.
Volkswagen is also introducing a charge card which will enable owners to use any charging system supplier in Ireland and have their electricity charges incorporated in their monthly finance repayments. Those using the dedicated IONITY charging network currently being rolled out in Ireland will be buying electricity made from renewable sources.
The ID 3 is built on a dedicated EV platform on which a range of Volkswagen electric vehicles will be rolled out over the coming years. The company has made a commitment to be carbon-neutral both in its vehicles and its production facilities by 2060.
The car will be on public view at the top of Grafton Street in Dublin this weekend.
