Volkswagen ID 3 gains new name as part of major update

The Volkswagen ID 3 electric hatch will be rebranded the ID 3 Neo when it receives an extensive facelift later this year.

The model was released in 2021 as the brand’s first bespoke EV and has already had a substantial overhaul in a bid to improve the perceived quality. As previously reported by Autocar, the car will receive another substantial makeover this year, with a bolder front-end design and a focus on higher-quality interior trims.

The ID 3 Neo title has some history for the model: Neo was the development codename for the machine when it was under development.

Volkswagen says that the update will include switching the car to the firm's latest software, which will allow for the addition of new functions including travel assist and a one-pedal driving mode. It will also gain a vehicle-to-load outlet that will allow the machine's battery to be used to power external devices.

Kai Grünitz, VW's technical chief, said that the new software would bring "more performane and an even better customer experience". The software has alreayd been rolled out on the ID 4, ID 5 and ID 7.

The car will also gain a new digital key option so that owners can use their smarthone to control it.

The slight rebrand for the ID 3 Neo is a surprise. While Volkswagen has previously confirmed it moving away from the numbering system originally used on its ID line-up in favour of a return to model names – as seen by the forthcoming ID Polo and ID Cross – it had been expected that the ID 3 would keep its title. 

But speaking to select media including Autocar, VW sales boss Martin Sander confirmed that the new ID 3 would arrive later this year and said: “We’re going to release the name of the next ID 3 generation shortly."

The retention of the ID 3 title in some form suggests VW feels the machine has built up some brand equity, though. The ID 4 SUV will receive a more extensive facelift this year and, as Autocar has previously reported, is set to be rebranded the ID Tiguan to position it alongside the firm’s best-seller.

Retaining the ID 3 title also ensures the machine does not get confused in VW's line-up. While the model has broadly been positioned as the electric equivalent of the Golf, VW has already ruled out it taking on that crucial title, especially with development of a dedicated electric ID Golf under way.

Speaking about the initial decision to move away from product names in favour of a numbering strategy with the initial ID models, VW sales boss Martin Sander said: “Back in the days there was a notion of doing everything differently across the whole industry, with new names, new design, new sales models – and the industry has learned that not all the old things have been bad. Not everything needed to be changed, and things are moving a little bit back into a more reasonable path.”