Volkswagen has just pulled the covers off its first electric hot hatch – the ID.3 GTX.
- Powerful rear-wheel-drive electric hot hatch
- 286hp and 326hp options
- 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds in Performance trim
- 370-mile official range
Volkswagen’s just revealed the ID.3 GTX, a powerful version of the ID.3 electric hatchback. Not only does it have sportier looks than the regular ID.3, but the GTX packs 326hp if you pick the top-spec Performance version, or 286hp in the longer-range regular GTX model. Whichever motor you pick, you’ll have 545Nm of torque, which Volkswagen gleefully points out is more than the brand’s 340hp V6 turbo petrol engine.
The boffins at VW also claim the ID.3 GTX Performance model will use its powerful rear-mounted motor to get from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds, and on to a 124mph top speed. The 286hp model will make the same dash in six seconds dead and hit 111mph flat out. For contrast, a regular ID.3 model tops out at 100mph.
Contrary to early rumours, the ID.3 GTX doesn't get a four-wheel-drive dual-motor setup like the bigger ID.4 GTX – but the ID.3 comfortably beats that heavier car's 6.3-second 0-62mph time.
Both ID.3 GTX models use the same 79kWh battery which, in the lower-power version, Volkswagen reckons will be good for around 370 miles of driving on the official WLTP cycle – though we expect the real-world figure to be closer to 300 miles. The ID.3 GTX will be able to charge at up to 175kW using a public fast-charging station, allowing for a 10-80% recharge in 26 minutes.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX looks
It’s not all about speed though. Volkswagen’s given the ID.3 GTX a subtle exterior makeover, featuring a new front bumper with black grilles, and a new ‘arrowhead’ daytime running light design, which Volkswagen says we’ll see on other GTX models over time.
The GTX also gets redesigned side skirts and a new rear bumper complete with a sporty looking diffuser. A set of 20-inch alloys comes as standard, and these also have gloss-black elements to match the rest of the styling. If you really love black, you'll be able to spec your ID.3 GTX with completely black wheels, too.
The exterior paint palette for the ID.3 GTX is predictable for a fast VW – it'll come in red, grey, black, white and silver. Where's the hot magenta?
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX interior
It’s no secret that GTX is Volkswagen’s electric equivalent of a GTI but, sadly, there are no dimpled golf-ball knobs in the ID.3 GTX’s cabin. Instead you get de-rigeur black and red stitching, as well as part-faux-leather sports seats complete with GTX lettering near the headrests.
Otherwise the cabin’s treated to some extra GTX logos and new upholstery for the dashboard, complete with red stitching.
You get the same 13-inch infotainment system as the latest ID.3 models, including a slight tweak to the positioning of the gear selector behind the steering wheel, which has allowed VW to fit the big infotainment system to left-hand-drive models.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX price and release date
There’s no official word on the UK price for the ID.3 GTX just yet – but we’d expect it to cost around £44,000, or about £4,000 more than the top-spec Pro S Match version of the ID.3. We expect it to go on sale in April 2024.
