Volkswagen has taken the wraps off its sporty version of the battery-powered ID.3. Called the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, the electric sports car comes in two variants: the entry-spec GTX and the top-spec GTX Performance. Both versions come with what Volkswagen describes as the most powerful electric drive motor to date. The new 'APP550' electric motor drives the rear wheels and generates 282bhp and 545Nm of peak torque in the standard ID.3 GTX, whereas the GTX Performance makes 322bhp. Meanwhile, the torque output remains the same. This electric alternative to the Golf GTI will not likely go on sale in the American market; however, 2024 will see Volkswagen bring the ID.3 GTX to European shores.
"With its spontaneous and superior power delivery, the new ID.3 GTX Performance is for me the electric counterpart to our
sporty compact icon, the Golf GTI Clubsport. Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the powerful ID.3 GTX Performance and the pure Golf GTI Clubsport2 share the same fascinating
lightness when they accelerate. Two modern sports cars, made by Volkswagen", said Kai Grunitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management, Volkswagen.
The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, whereas the less powerful takes 6 seconds to do the same. The latter has a top speed of 179km/h, while the former's top speed stands at 200km/h.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: Battery, Charing Capabilities
The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is powered by a 79kWh lithium-ion battery pack compatible with a 175kW DC charger. The battery — nestled in the centre of the vehicle for improved weight distribution — can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes. Volkswagen estimates the combined WLTP range of the ID.3 GTX to be around 600 kilometres.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: Features
Now, let's talk about material comforts. Like the Golf GTI, the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX gets premium sports seats with red stitching and GTX lettering. There are also optionally available ergoActive seats with red contrasting seams, integrated headrests, electric adjustment, memory function, and adjustable thigh support. Both versions feature a new 12.9-inch infotainment system, a ChatGPT integrated IDA voice assistant, illuminated touch sliders for volume control and air conditioning, and a separate driving mode selector.
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: Exterior
Outside, the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX gets a diamond-style grille, a redesigned front bumper with an A-shaped air intake, and boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. In profile, the electric car sports new 20-inch Skagen wheels with 215-section tyres on the standard GTX, while the Performance variant gets wider 235-section rubber slicks. At the rear, the car has LED tail lamp clusters with a dynamic turn signal function and a new diffuser finished in high-gloss black.
Volkswagen offers the ID.3 GTX in five exterior colour options: Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Glacier White Metallic, Scale Silver Metallic, and Kings Red Metallic (available only on the most potent ID.3).
More EV News
In other EV-related news, Porsche, under the Volkswagen brand, is preparing to reveal its 911 in a new avatar in 2024. The Porsche 911 Hybrid was confirmed for a global debut about a week ago. Codenamed 992.2, the upcoming Porsche 911 Hybrid sports car will get a retuned twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with an electric motor expected to draw power from a small, lightweight lithium-ion battery pack. The former will drive the rear wheels, while the latter will power the front wheels, hence the all-wheel-drive system. Now, let's turn our attention to the Indian market, earlier this week, Mahindra registered several trademarks for its upcoming electric SUVs. The applications were filed for the XUV 1XO, XUV 3XO, XUV 5XO, and XUV 7XO nametags – the last of these is expected to be revealed in 2024.
1 Comment
It is not a global introduction when the GTX is not available in North America. Now if Volkswagen would only fix that and sell the ID3 in North America
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