VW ID.3 - Price Shock

https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/id3-4984
Volksvagen launched the VW ID.3 (gen 1 beetle, gen 2 golf, gen 3 ID.3) this is their mass volume all electric car and looks like a Golf sized hatch,  it will be assembled in Volkswagen's Zwickau factory, where the company expects to produce 330,000 electric cars per year. They have the following models all starting middle of 2020:

• VW ID.3 Basic Variant -  45 kWh battery pack, range of up to 330 kilometers, 8.0 sec 0-100kmh  - €30,000 - coming sometime later
• VW ID.3 Mid-Range Variant -  58 kWh battery pack, range of up to 420 kilometers,  7.0 sec 0-100kmh  -  €40,000 
• VW ID.3 Long-Range Variant - 77 kWh battery pack, range of up to 550 kilometers,  5.5 sec 0-100kmh   - €47,500 

The ID.3 is expected to arrive Down Under around 2022.

VW recognised that they do not have the ecosystem for a connected car and they will need help, Herbert Diess, Chairman said "At Volkswagen, we need skills for this that we don't really have today" and VW have partnered with Microsoft on to build new connected car operating system vw.os, the full stack will be ready by 2023. The ID.3 does not come with hardware and sensors for autonomous driving capability.

Initially the following models can be ordered, please note all intial models are 58 kWh battery pack, range of up to 420 kilometres,  7.0 sec 0-100kmh. There are three different ID.3 1st lines available for purchase:

1st edition Line 1 - €39,990

• navigation system
• DAB + digital radio
• Heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Armrests in front
• Mode 2 charging cable for the normal household socket
• 18-inch alloy wheels

1st edition Line 2 -  €45.900

• backup camera
• automatic distance control ACC
• keyless entry system "Kessy Advanced"
• design seats
• Center console (including 2 rear USB-C ports, lockable via roller blind and illuminated)
• ambient lighting
• tinted windows
• Exterior style package in silver
• LED matrix headlights
• Matrix Stand-Brake-Blink-Taillights
• 19 inch alloy wheels

1st edition Line 3 -  €49.900

• Augmented reality head-up display
• Sound system "Beats"
• large panoramic glass roof
• Lane Keeping Assist with Emergency Assist
• Lane Change Assistant
• Convenient telephony with inductive charging
• comfort seats
• flat loading floor
• 20 inch alloy wheels      

In Germany Tesla Model 3 SR+ with 62 kWh battery pack, range of up to 409 kilometers, 5.6 sec 0-100kmh, connectivity (navigation, entertainment with spotify/netflix, autopilot, summon) and safety all included is priced at  €43,390. I believe the ID.3 basic (the one that is not initially available) is the best value overall, otherwise Tesla Model 3 SR+ is far better value. Here are standard features of Tesla Model 3 SR+:

• 18 inch alloy wheels whith aero covers
• 12-way power adjustable heated front seats
• Premium seat material and trim
• Upgraded audio – immersive sound
• Music and media over Bluetooth®
• Tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection
• Auto-dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors
• Custom driver profiles
• Centre console with storage, 4 USB ports and docking for 2 smartphones
• All hardware and sensors for full self driving 
• Autopilot: Enables your car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically for other vehicles and pedestrians within its lane.

We previously had headlines that ID.3 will cost less than Tesla Model 3 with top version under €30,000:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/07/15/volkswagen-d-cheaper-model-3-fast-charging-network-coming-soon/

In 2017 Herbert Diess said "Anything Tesla can do, we can surpass", What happened to these promises? Now it seems VW can do "anything" but can not offer promised price and connected car features. How is it possible that one of the largest car makers in the world with long history can not match Tesla a small startup car maker?