Volkswagen is working on a new hot hatch for buyers who want Golf GTI levels of performance but electric power.
Autocar reports a new performance flagship for the ID.3 model range is currently undergoing cold-weather testing.
The company had previously teased a hot ID.3 with the 2021 ID.X concept. Unlike that concept, however, the production model is set to feature rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
Historically, the GTI nameplate has been reserved for two-wheel drive models in Volkswagen’s performance stable, while the GTX nameplate has been applied to flagship dual-motor variants of current ID models.
ID.X concept
Befitting of the GTX nameplate, the ID.3 will receive a more powerful electric motor which is likely to be teamed with the largest battery pack already offered in the ID.3 range, a 77kWh lithium-ion unit.
While exact specifications remain unknown, the British outlet suggests that the ID.3 GTX could pack up to 210kW from the APP550 electric motor, inherited from larger ID models such as the ID.7 and ID. Buzz.
Over the current 150kW APP310 motor found in regular ID.3s, the APP550 has uprated cooling and revised internal components.
To partner the more powerful motor, a sportier chassis tune is also likely, as is the case with performance Golf and Polo models. Revised steering and stability control tunes would round out the GTX package.
Volkswagen ID.3
Externally, the ID.3 GTX could receive a similar treatment to the ID. GTI concept. The ID. GTI concept features restyled bumpers, larger wheels and an edgier front splitter and rear diffuser than the ID. 2all concept it’s based on.
The 2021 ID.X concept took an ID.3 and added an 82kWh battery and all-wheel drive, with a total system output of 245kW and a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds.
The ID.3 currently on sale in Europe is available with either a 58 or 77kWh battery pack, offering up to 546km of range according to WLTP testing.
The smaller battery, which has up to 426km of range, can be charged at up to 120kW using a DC fast charger; with the larger battery, this jumps to 170kW.
The ID.3 produces 150kW and 310Nm and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds in Pro guise.
While the related ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs are finally set to arrive here in July 2024, Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed specific launch timing for the ID.3 beyond announcing it’s coming “beyond 2024”.
Volkswagen Australia has previously confirmed it’ll offer the ID.3 in GTX guise.
