STUTTGART, May 8 -- The ID.3 electric car is starting something of a revolution for Volkswagen. It's the first in a series of new fully electric models, which will eventually include a luxurious saloon, multiple SUVs and even a Camper-inspired people carrier. First up, though, is the big-selling hatchback, which will rival both the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. First shown in concept form at the Paris motor show in 2016, the ID.3 is about the same size as the Golf, but the absence of an engine should mean it has more space than that car inside. The existing electric e-Golf won't be renewed when it reaches the end of its life to make way for the ID.3. Volkswagen ID.3 range Three battery options will eventually be available for the ID.3, offering ranges of between 205-341 miles on the latest WLTP tests. If that 341-mile range is replicable in real-world conditions, the ID will have one of the longest ranges of any electric car on sale. Early buyers will only have access to the medium-sized battery, though, with a range of 260 miles – that's substantially more than both the Zoe and the Leaf. For comparison, our current Car of the Year, the Kia e-Niro, has a WLTP-certified range of 282 miles, but recorded 253 miles on our Real Range tests. Volkswagen ID.3 equipmentPre-orders have now opened for the ID.3 in 1st edition form, which Volkswagen describes as coming with 'high-quality, high-performance equipment'. The 1st edition models, which are limited to 30,000 units, come with equipment including voice control, sat-nav and two-tone paintwork. Although three trim levels will be offered elsewhere, buyers in the UK will only be able to buy the ID.3 in mid-range Id Plus form, once the 1st edition cars have all been sold. Buyers also have the option of getting 2000 kWh-worth of free charging for their ID.3 for their first year of ownership, if they charge at a charging point connected to Volkswagen's We Charge app. We've yet to see inside the ID, but back in 2016 Volkswagen confirmed that the car will be capable of high-level autonomy – that is to say that it will be able to control its own steering, acceleration and braking in certain situations, such as on the motorway. More autonomous features will arrive later. Volkswagen ID.3 price The only ID.3 you can pre-order right now is the top-end 1st edition model, which will cost from around €35.000 in the UK – before the government's €3.500 plug-in car grant is taken into account. To pre-order an ID.3, buyers will have to place a €750 deposit. Eventually, likely around 2021 when more versions of the ID with different driving ranges have gone on sale, the car's entry-level price will drop to around €25.000. The first ID.3 cars will be made towards the end of this year, with deliveries to customers due to start in the summer of 2020. The full production-ready car will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
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