Volkswagen floated the idea of the ID.3 Convertible electric hatchback

KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen recently launched a cheaper version of the all-electric ID.3 hatch in the UK market that opens up more opportunities for customers to switch to an electric vehicle. And, now the German automaker has come up with yet another way to attract customers toward its stylish small EV. Volkswagen floated the idea of an ID.3-based convertible car by dropping a teaser of initial sketches.

Volkswagen Group boss Herbert Diess and VW passenger cars CEO Ralf Brandstätter posted on Twitter and Linkedin that the brand is thinking for a two-door drop-top sibling of the ID.3 electric hatchback as the first convertible model of its prospering ID lineup. The CEO stated: "An ID.3 convertible? Sounds quite appealing: enjoying nature with the top down, with the instant but silent electric punch. This could provide an entirely new, extraordinary feeling of freedom.”

Brandstätter further asked "The most exciting question: what do YOU think? Would electric driving and an open-air-experience make a perfect match?”

While gauging support for the electric convertible, Volkswagen revealed its official rendering images previewing the model without two rear doors like the T-Roc convertible version. As a part of the design, the standard tailgate is swapped by a shorter unit to make space for the folding fabric soft top. These changes are supposed to reduce the rear passenger space and the hatchback’s boot capacity of 385 litres. However, we expect that the customers will be willing to forgo this for the extra style. Many EV fans would love the idea of a stylish zero-emission car with an open top.

Volkswagen ID.3 underpins the brand’s MEB platform, so the convertible model based on hatchback would borrow the same electric motors and battery packs setup from its sibling. The ID.3 houses a 58-kWh battery and an electric motor producing a maximum power of 201 hp, which is mounted on the rear wheels. However, a 77-kWh battery is also on offer. The pack is mated to the same 201 hp for a driving range of 336 miles (540 kilometres) based on Europe's WLTP cycle.

The German automaker is also working on a high-performance trim of the hatchback called ID.3 R, which is likely to arrive in 2024.

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