Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is An Electric GTI with Rear-Wheel Drive

Final details have emerged of Volkswagen’s range-topping ID.3 GTX Performance. The 240kW hot hatch is a rival for Cupra Born VZ, and Volkswagen’s own Golf R. It goes on sale in the UK at the end of this month for the equivalent of $NZ98,000. 

For that you get Matrix LED headlights, an augmented reality heads-up display, 20-inch alloy wheels and a Harman Kardon stereo. 

This is the third GTX model for VW and for the first time puts the ID.3 amongst the top shelf of hot hatchbacks. The Performance package comprises a new rear-mounted motor that sends power to the rear wheels. VW will also offer a slightly less powerful base GTX that produces 213kW for overseas markets. The two variants are otherwise the same.

To go with its 240kW output is a torque tally of 565Nm, 255Nm more than any previous ID.3. The motor gets power from a 79kWh battery pack offering range of just under 600km. A 0-100 sprint claim is 5.7 seconds, close to what a Golf GTI Clubsport can manage. Top speed is evidently a hair under 200km/h.

It will compete with much more potent AWD rivals in the form of MG4’s and Volvo’s EX30. However, VW is aiming to make the GTX stand out with poise and precision. 

It uses suspension that has ride height 10mm lower at the front and 15mm lower at the rear, while adaptive dampers are standard. These vary according to driving mode, while they also adjust on a sliding scale. A revised steering tune and added rubber on 20-inch wheels suggest a driving experience that rivals that of the petrol GTI. 

Whether or not TC is defeatable to allow slip angles is unclear. Also unknown are changes to track width and suspension geometry. 

Styling changes comprise a new front bumper while there are some new colour and trim options, plus a fresh rear bumper garnish. Alloys come in either a diamond cut or full black finish. 

Inside, the GTX Performance borrows the bucket seats from the Golf GTI Clubsport, only these are finished in a unique black Dynamica fabric with red piping. 

This also gets the larger 12-inch infotainment system upgrade that’s already fitted to all left-hand drive ID.3 models. The new screen features VW’s latest interface and lit-up sliders for the temperature and volume controls.