The Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatch is to gain a new entry-level powertrain tomorrow, bringing a smaller battery and a lower entry price for the range.

The ID.3 Pure Performance powertrain uses a 150hp motor, powered by a 45kWh (net) battery, providing up to 217 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle

Priced from £28,370 (incl. the Plug-in Car Grant), the ID.3 Pure Performance model joins the limited-production ID.3 1st Edition and the Pro, Pro Performance models and Pro S models launched late last year.

It introduces a new, smaller 45kWh battery. This gives it up to 217 miles of range (WLTP combined) while motor output stands at 150hp of power with 310Nm of torque. The 0-62mph time is 8.9 seconds, while the Pure Performance matches the 99mph top speed of the rest of the ID.3 range.

It’s offered in two trims: entry-level City and design-focused Style. Both can be charged at up to 100kW, giving up to 137 miles of range in 30 minutes, while a 7.2kW home charger takes around seven and a half hours to go from 5% to 100%. Charging 5% to 80% from a DC, CCS charge point takes 31 minutes.

The lead-in ID.3 City Pure Performance is focused as the value model for the range. Standard kit includes 10-inch Discover Pro Navigation infotainment system and a Comfort Package including heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear mirror, two rear USB-C ports, and door mirrors with electric adjustment and folding, with integrated projection lights.

It also comes with all-LED headlights and tail lights, and the ID. Light interface that allows the ID.3 to communicate with the driver through different light patterns, plus voice control and Wireless App Connect.

Driver assistance features fitted as standard include Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist as well as a Driver Alert system, Lane Assist, forward collision warning, and extended and proactive pedestrian protection, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

The ID.3 Style is priced from £32,470 and adds in 18-inch alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, animation for the LED tail lights, 30-colour interior ambient lighting and tinted windows. The Comfort Package Plus adds in 2-zone climate control and a variable boot floor, while a rear-view camera, keyless entry system, and illumination for the door handles are included under the Assistance Package.

Both models qualify for the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant, under the recently realigned £35,000 threshold for the scheme, doubling the number of ID.3s available under the PiCG to four. These also include the 58kWh variants of the ID.3, which bring a range of up to 263 miles from the ID.3 Life Pro and Pro Performance.