Volkswagen is going through a challenging period due to declining demand and production problems. The company recognizes the need for change and is planning a major redesign of its electric vehicles.
The days when the Golf dominated European sales rankings are over. The bland design of Volkswagen’s electric vehicles does not attract customers to the showrooms, and the simplified interiors are not helping. All of this is happening against the backdrop of rising prices, which makes customers think about alternatives.
To remedy the situation, Volkswagen’s Head of Development Kai Grunitz has promised significant changes. The next ID.3 and ID.4 models will introduce «a completely new design language». According to him, this renewed visual identity will mean a return to the brand’s roots — to what Volkswagen has always considered its corporate identity.
In the interior, Grunitz announced a return to more traditional controls. Future VW models will have additional physical buttons for quick access to the most commonly used functions, instead of using numerous submenus on the touchscreen. This innovation has already been presented in the ID.2all concept. In addition, Volkswagen promises to improve the quality of materials, which is one of the main problems of the eighth-generation Golf, especially compared to its predecessor.
Speaking specifically about the ID.3 and ID.4, Kai Grunitz noted that VW is also planning «many improvements in battery cost and performance». He even stated that the updated electric vehicles will be a «significant step forward» both for the manufacturer (due to lower production costs) and for customers, who will get better cars. The new electric cars are expected to be available in 2026.
It is too early to say whether the ID.3 will keep its current name. Volkswagen has already announced that the ninth generation Golf will be electric, while the Mk8 with an internal combustion engine will remain in production until at least 2035. At the beginning of the year, Kai hinted that the return of the electric Golf could supplant the ID.3:
«There is not enough space for two or three models aimed at the same audience. We have already started work on the all-electric Golf».
Source: motor1