It would be entirely reasonable not to be all that excited about another VW GTX, given the fairly tepid ID 4 and 5 – plus what looks like a very plain ID 7. None have yet really offered much beyond the regular EV offerings to justify their top-of-the-range status, but now the ID 3 GTX looks like it could change things a tad. It has more power at 326hp than the 299hp SUVs, rear-drive instead of all-wheel drive, and it finally fulfills a 2021 promise from VW to make a performance derivative of the smallest ID. They wouldn’t have waited all this time, and launched all the others first, for this not to be decent – would they? VW even goes as far as to say that this ID 3 is an ‘electric counterpart to the Golf GTI Clubsport’. Quite the claim
It’ll cost a little more than the Golf, however, at £46,225 (the GTI is from £41,655). That’s been confirmed today, with orders open from Wednesday and 74-plated GTXs set to be on the road soon. For that money, the standard kit includes 20-inch wheels, sports suspension with DCC dampers, a GTX-specific front bumper, a Harman Kardon stereo and augmented reality head-up display. There’s no word yet on options (expect it on the configurator in a couple of days), though with sports seats, a GTX’d interior and metallic paint included, there likely won’t be much to add.
Given its spec similarities to the Born VZ, it should come as little surprise to find that its quoted performance largely mirrors the Cupra. VW claims 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds (or just a tenth behind the Golf), though obviously top speed won’t quite compare – expect 124mph. Range is rated at 369 miles on the WLTP combined cycle, with the 79kWh battery boasting 185kW charging capability.
Kai Grünitz, VW’s board member for tech development, said of the GTX and the Golf: “Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the ID.3 GTX Performance and the Golf GTI Clubsport share the same fascinating lightness when they accelerate. Volkswagen is transferring the almost 50-year tradition of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure is guaranteed.” It would be better late than never for a great GTX – expect a first drive verdict in the coming weeks.
