The current ID models are not the first electric cars from VW. See VW Golf 3 Citystromer. As early as 1970, a development area for electrically powered prototypes was established in Wolfsburg. From 1992 to 1996, VW then built electric versions of the Golf 3 for a major everyday test by the federal government on the island of Rügen. At that time, those responsible wanted to explore the limits of e-mobility.
The electric threesome started with 23.8 hp continuous power from an AC synchronous motor. VW had created the possibility of using many different battery types from lead-acid gel to sodium nickel chloride and arranging them flexibly.
These E-SUVs go particularly far
Selected products in tabular overview
BMW iX
Range (basic): 422 km/RRP from EUR 84,600/savings of up to EUR 9,423.00
Ford Mustang Mach E
Range (basic): 440 km/RRP from EUR 56,500/savings of up to EUR 7,864.00
Tesla Model X Plaid
Range (basic): 528 km/RRP from EUR 140,990.00
Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV RS
Range (basic): 520 km/RRP from EUR 61,550/savings of up to EUR 7,514.00
VW ID.5
Range (basic): 544 km / RRP from EUR 44,960 / savings of up to EUR 8210.00
Nissan Ariya
Range (basic): 403 km/RRP from EUR 47,490.00
Mercedes EQA
Range (basic): 494 km/RRP from EUR 47,802/savings of up to EUR 8,973.00
The Wolfsburg company put the Golf 3 Citystromer on wheels in cooperation with Siemens. A total of 120 cars rolled off the assembly line by 1996. In the city, the e-Golf managed a range of up to 90 kilometers at a constant speed of 50 km/h. That’s pretty good for the state of the art in the mid 90’s. Even better: the battery can be charged up to 80 percent within just one and a half hours.
This VW Golf 3 Citystromer from 1994 is in the August-Hoch-Museum in Zwickau.
The current state of charging and storage technology prevented the Citystromer from achieving the efficiency of today’s electric vehicles. But the electric three-seater Golf was also able to recuperate, i.e. recover its braking energy.
The Citystromer makes this impression today
Anyone who visits the August Horch Museum in Zwickau (VW built the VW Golf 3 Citystromer in the hometown of the Trabant back then) will inevitably stumble across a copy of the electric Golf, a dark blue vehicle from 1994.
Surprised reporter: The Citystromer looks like a normal three-Golf.
Stolpert is meant quite literally at this point, because only at second glance does it become apparent that the car is a Citystromer. The E-three is a Golf to the core – not a spaceship or smartphone on wheels. A look inside also reveals nothing unexpected.
You should pay attention to this with a Golf 3
Interested parties should – as with every VW Golf 3 – probably pay particular attention to the condition of the body. The rust can affect a Golf 3 badly. The brake hoses and the rubber mounts on the rear axle are the weak points of all 3 Series. The Citystromer does not have the problems of the combustion engine. But its drive should also be checked carefully.
