Volkswagen is broadening its sporty GTX lineup with the introduction of the ID.3 GTX available in two forms. The flagship version is known as the ID.3 GTX Performance - a lively, compact sportscar.
Choosing the standard ID.3 GTX means you'll receive an electric motor at the back axle producing 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the Performance edition, and Volkswagen boosts the power to 322 horsepower, though the torque stays unchanged. These enhanced power numbers align exactly with those of the Cupra Born VZ.
This rear-wheel-drive hot hatch can go from zero to 62 miles per hour in six seconds for the base GTX model, or 5.6 seconds for the Performance upgrade. The maximum speed is limited electronically to 111 mph for the GTX and 124 mph for the GTX Performance. Volkswagen presents the more powerful model as the electric counterpart to the Golf GTI Clubsport, which is front-wheel drive.
Both versions of the GTX are equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack that holds 79 kilowatt-hours of usable energy. They can charge up at a rate of 175 kilowatts, meaning you can recharge the battery from 10% to 80% in about 26 minutes. When fully charged, the ID.3 GTX models are capable of traveling 373 miles according to the combined WLTP cycle. The battery's placement in the center of the vehicle floor aids in distributing weight more evenly.
Similar to the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, the ID.3 GTX model has been made to look more appealing with a redesigned front bumper featuring a larger air intake in a diamond pattern, and boomerang-shaped LEDs that function as daytime running lights. The back of the performance model showcases a diffuser in glossy black, complementing the dark-colored mirror caps, side sills, and window framing. Additionally, there are new 20-inch wheels equipped with 215-section tires for the GTX, and broader 235-section tires for the GTX Performance model.
Inside, red highlights are abundant. The sporty, electrically adjustable front seats come with built-in headrests, GTX emblems, and fabric made from recycled materials. All models of the ID.3 will have a fresh 12.9-inch screen for the infotainment system and a new driving mode selector lever located on the steering column. Finally addressing a common request, the touch sliders for volume and air conditioning are now backlit, following the recent introduction of the Golf Mk8.5.
As far as is known, the ID.3 GTX won't be available in America. In Europe, it essentially creates a category of its own alongside the Cupra Born VZ. The most comparable competitor is the MG4 XPower, which features dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a robust 429 horsepower. Other smaller electric vehicles worth mentioning include the Abarth 500e and the forthcoming Alpine A290. By the end of this year, there will also be a John Cooper Works version of the new electric Mini Cooper 3-Door.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen has hinted that the ninth-generation Golf, which will be exclusively electric, might replace the ID.3, leaving no room for both in the lineup. If this transition occurs, the GTX badge will evolve into the GTI, as the company plans to keep the iconic three-letter designation. Volkswagen has even registered a new logo, substituting the "I" (initially standing for injection) with a lightning bolt, to signify this shift.
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