Let's take a look at the design of the Volkswagen ID3

Just before the start of the Frankfurt International Motor Show, tomorrow, Volkswagen unveiled the final production version of its probably most important car in decades, the ID.3. You can consider the ID.3 as a Golf translated into an electric vehicle via the new Volkswagen MEB Modular Electric Platform. It's not a reworked Golf to run on electrons instead of dead dinosaurs, it's an electric car designed according to the same principles as the Golf; As such, it is less a golf VEG than a VT that fulfills the same role as the Golf.

This is an important role, as the Golf is Volkswagen's all-rounder since the Golf / Rabbit replaced the Beetle as VW's entry-level Everyperson car in the mid-1970s.

It's not an SUV; it's a much more rational thing, a real hatchback, a useful volume with an opening at the rear that is set to a perfect ride height. Of course, this means that we will not have such a rational vehicle in the US, but we will make one that rides on big tires and that we call a "crossover" because we have persistent national brain problems .

But for now, let's look at some of the interesting design decisions that VW has made here. What is most interesting about this electric vehicle, which should compete fairly directly with the Tesla Model 3 and the Chevrolet Bolt in terms of price and range, is that it manages to divide the difference between the model 3, elegant and attractive, and the Bolt convenient but frumpy.

The design and the status clearly sell the cars – the Model 3 turns out to be one thing that people want far more than a Chevrolet Bolt – and with a similar price and range, it's clear that the intangible factors of the status and appearance are very important. Volkswagen has done a good job with ID.3 regarding these elusive qualities, giving it details that clearly suggest that it's an electric vehicle, which EV buyers tend to want advertise.

It is a practical hatchback, but futuristic and elegant, it is unlikely to be confused with a combustion car, which we can not say the Bolt.

While the fundamental design is based on the Golf, the realities of the MEB platform allow for much more conditioning options. True to VW's old air-cooled roots, the ID.3 is equipped with a rear-mounted engine driving the rear wheels. The batteries are placed in the ground and, although there is no front loading area like the Tesla, the electronic components, HVAC and other equipment packaged in the front are smaller than a conventional FWD transmission, so that the front hood area can be compressed. , with more space for the volume of passengers and freight.

For the same size, the ID.3 has a wheelbase longer than a Golf and a larger interior volume. The windshield stretches far enough forward, requiring a large triangular window between the A-pillar and the door, which should give the interior a feeling of great openness and lightness.

I think the basic design of the exterior exterior seems to take more signals from the VW Up! platform as golf, which is an interesting choice. Here, look at:

The shape of the lighthouse, the scratch replacing the grille, the emblem prominently placed in the center, the main air intakes being below the stop – in many ways, the ID.3 looks like more to an enlarged Up Up! that a golf, at least from the front.

I think Golf's heritage is most clearly seen in the profile, where perhaps the most emblematic element of the Golf's design, the C pillar in angle, is further emphasized here with the Ben-Ben Day patterned surface / hexagon, which echoes the cast. – the texture pattern used in the lower part of the front end, just above the air intake area.

I like graphics like these on cars; I think that the car designers were too shy to apply surface graphics to the production cars, and I think that in this context, it is recalled that it is an EV and that we feel futuristic.

There are many other interesting details, so let's do a little table here:

All in all, it's a beautiful, striking car. The bold design continues in the interior, which, in at least one plate, offers wonderfully bold color choices:

It is clean and well thought out, less minimalist than the Model 3, but just as modern. I love white and orange and I think the instrument instrument is very attractive. There is virtually no physical control over the car, which, like it or not, seems to be the way to go for everyone.

The game / pause marks on the pedals have been shown on cars by a number of manufacturers, but I like to see it here. It's fun and fun, so why not?

The design of the door card with the inclined parallel lines suggesting fabric folds is very strong, and I like the echo it reflects in the design of the speaker grille and in the details on the side of the center console.

I guess VW is serious about this logo "no bottom key W".

In the more classic grayscale colors, the interior is a lot less striking, but still looks good.

I like the new ID.3. I'm hoping that all the stilted / full-heeled versions we have in America do not spoil the basic design too much, because I think VW has managed to strike the right balance between the Tesla style and the practical side of the Golf.