[E-Gizmo]

I would expect the facelift to come out mid 2024 and the MKII around 2028.

What can they add? I would expect to see some of the following added:

True lane assist (where is steers itself around a bend).
Electric hatch with the 'virtual pedal' hands free opening/closing.
AWD
A performance version
Memory seats
Driver profiles
Heated rear seats
DCC
Park Assist
Leather interior

 

[E-Gizmo]

I think they already have this on the higher spec models, Travel Assist it’s called?

It’s more than the basic Lane Assist.

From todays experience it's far from good enough to steer around a corner, it will (just about) nudge you between the white lines (on a motorway).

 

[E-Gizmo]

I doubt they will use 'better quality plastics' as most manufacturers of EVs are now leaning more towards recycled plastics and materials to be used inside the car, the plastics VW use are also far superior to the hard scratchy plastic used in a Leaf for example, the only gripe I have with the plastics in the ID.3 is they do mark very easily.

I will be glad however when the current trend for 'piano black' plastic dies a death!

 

[E-Gizmo]

Do you have Travel Assist on your car then, or just the normal Lane Assist?

They’re quite different beasts, there’s an ID.4 demo on YT somewhere that demonstrates the difference.

It's a Tour so comes as std with:


Assistance pack plus:
Emergency Assist
Illuminated door handles
Keyless entry including Start/Stop button on centre console – Proactive occupant protection
Rear-view camera
Side Assist
Travel Assist

 

[E-Gizmo]

Only tried it on the motorway so far, the mrs was panicking as it was almost on the hard shoulder before the car steered away from the line.

On my 2015 Škoda Superb it was a pretty amazing bit of kit and would keep you in the middle of the lane, so I had high hopes of it being just as useful on the Tour, currently it isn't.

 

[E-Gizmo]

It looked a very capable system on the video, compared to the basic Lane Assist anyway, but the demo was on dual carriageways and junctions.

What kind of roads have you tried it on, and where would you want to use it?

It’s one of the few features I’d want on my 1st, but if it’s no good I can stop wanting it now! 🙂

Just had my first longish trip in my Max and it did steer around bends on single carriageway A roads and motorways. I just kept light touch on the steering wheel - a bit spooky but I got used to quickly. Only works when you've pressed the travel assist button and the lane indicators turn green.

OK, just been and tried this again (on my own this time), to summarise:

• The Travel Assist button on the steering wheel needs to be pressed every time you want it to be activated (it doesn't seem to remember that it was previously turned on.)
• Braking, or turning ACC off turns off Travel Assist.
• Simply 'resuming' the ACC doesn't turn Travel Assist back on.
• It does now keep the car pretty central in it's lane (as I am used to).
• With Travel Assist on the steering is noticeably lighter and dare I say a little twitchy (steering is set to 'sport' under the Individual mode), I'm sure I will get used to this but it's just an observation.

So clearly it's quite a bit different to what I'm used to, on my Superb Travel Assist stayed on once it had been activated... unless you physically turned it off (mine had been left on in the 5 ½ years I owned the car).
It also made no difference at all to the weight of the steering, there were no downsides to it being on IMO, which is why I never turned it off.
It made long journeys or commuting home after a really long day really easy and relaxing as the ACC / Travel Assist basically drove you home on autopilot.

Will we use it in the ID.3?
On long journeys yes i'm sure we will... but for it to 'work' (feel OK) you really need to let the car do the steering as much as possible, when you try to steer it it feels far too light IMO.