Volkswagen has taken the unprecedented step of updating its big-selling ID.3 electric hatch a year earlier than planned to counter criticism from customers and the media.

The command was given by the boss of the company Herbert Diess who asked the ID.3 team to speed through the changes to ‘optimise’ the ID.3.

The ID.3’s product manager Claas-Lennard Stöhr told us: “We had the plan for the facelift and we showed it to the board, in this case [Herbert] Diess. He said he liked the concept but gave us the task of bringing it earlier. We got the feedback from our customers that we could do some things better.”

As a result the new model includes cosmetic changes outside and upgrades to the interior quality. The software has also been updated, but UK drivers will have to wait until mid 2024 for a new large screen and revised button layout.

Facebook owners' groups provided essential feedback for the new model

Many of the updates were made on the suggestion of owners from a Facebook group – the ID Drivers’ Club. Stöhr said: “The group has about 15,000 members and everyone owns an ID, most of them ID.3s. They have a lot of experience and are willing to give us feedback. We use the platform for market research.”

To help free up supply and reduce waiting lists, VW is opening the taps by extending the production to the big home plant for the company – Wolfsburg. That’s in addition to the three other factories making ID.3s.

The first of these new models will arrive in the UK in early summer and the price is expected to be broadly the same as the current model.