ID3
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If your family needs a second car, make it a fun, compact EV
Earlier this month, Volkswagen began production of the ID.3. It's a small, electric four-door hatchback with three different battery sizes, meant for a variety of driving lifestyles. The interior feels like the future, and if it drives anything like the E-Golf, it's going to be great. Except it's not coming to the United States.
Volkswagen’s attempt at a bold, cleaner future starts with the ID.3
With much pomp and circumstance, the first all-electric ID.3 produced at Volkswagen's Zwickau plant rolled down a hall of flashing lights and pulsating music. A badge on the fender signifies it's one of the "1st" of a 35,000 run of vehicles pre-ordered by early adopters. The ID.3 is more than a new vehicle, it's a sea change at one of the largest automakers in the world.
Inside Volkswagen's all-electric ID.3
While the exterior of a car is important (no one wants to drive an ugly car), the interior is where you spend most of your time. While the powertrain (electric) and design (a smoother Golf) of the ID.3 are what people initially think of when they see the car, that brand new infotainment system and layout are worth a look. So I went and looked at it.
Volkswagen takes the wraps off the production-ready ID.3 EV
After announcing the MEB modular electric-car platform at CES in 2016 on the heels of Dieselgate, the automaker went on a tear announcing a microbus, dune buggy, crossovers and other vehicle types that would run on electrons instead of gasoline. Finally, we're seeing the first production vehicle that'll be part of the automaker's future.
VW inadvertently offers a peek at the interior of its ID.3 EV
So much for VW keeping a tight lid on the ID.3's finished design. Auto Conspiracy and others have obtained a promo video for the electric hatchback's interior, showing an appropriately very connected machine. The early look suggests the ID.3 will use a slightly more Teutonic variant of the cabin from Seat's el-Born concept, with an all-screen instrument cluster, a likely 10-inch center touchscreen and a twistable shifter placed on the dash. However, the biggest addition may be what you can't see: modern voice control.
VW starts taking deposits for its ID.3 electric hatchback
VW is finally ready to take €1,000 deposits for the production version of its I.D. electric hatchback in 29 European countries. Now called the ID.3, the finished car (which won't come with the colorful camouflage above) is initially available in a loaded, limited-edition "1st" model that includes the mid-tier, 261-mile battery as well as navigation, voice control and large wheels. Pricing will start at "less than €40,000" (about $44,800), but there will also be a 1st Plus variant with additional lighting and design touches as well as a 1st Max with an augmented reality heads-up display and a panoramic glass roof.
Sony intros bevy of Bluetooth / A2DP-enabled stereo systems
Apparently Sony has hopped on the "more the merrier" bandwagon, as its steady stream of new kit continues to roll out. The latest set of releases sees a few new wireless boomboxes, presumably crafted for those who aren't keen on wrapping a set of Bluetooth-enabled cans around their dome in order to hear their tunes. The low-end CMT-BX5BT mini system touts wooden stereo speaker cabinets, an AM / FM tuner, built-in CD / MP3 disc player, ID3 tag support, external LCD, 15-watts of amplification, bass reflex system, 30 station presets, and a musical alarm clock to boot. The CMT-HX7BT ups the ante by adding satellite radio readiness and a 50-watt S-Master digital amplifier, while the flagship CMT-DH7BT packs all of the aforementioned niceties plus an integrated DVD player. Closing out the pack is the ZS-BT1 wireless boombox, which seems to be tailored more for portable / outdoor use considering its A2DP support, shuffle feature for CDs / MP3s, ten-key remote control, and Mega Bass technology. The CMT trio will all be available in April from $150 to $300, while the $150 ZS-BT1 won't land until August.[Via Pocket-Lint] %Gallery-1831%
