Hotter hatch! Fast new electric Volkswagen ID.3 GTX arrives with better performance than a Golf GTI

March 21, 2024March 20, 2024 John Mahoney 1934 Views GTX, id.3, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has pulled the covers off the closest thing we have to a battery-powered VW Golf GTI and it’s already locked-in for a launch Down Under.

Powered by a single electric motor, the rear-wheel drive 2025 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX hot hatch pumps out a punchy 240kW and stump-pulling 545Nm of torque.

If those figures sound familiar, it’s because the latest addition to the flagship GTX family shares its powertrain with the latest Cupra Born VZ.

In other markets a lesser 210kW/545Nm version will also be offered, but Australians get the full-fat ID.3 GTX Performance version.

Both are powered by a new 84kWh lithium-ion battery.

While the ID.3 GTX can manage a 0-100km/h dash in 6.0 seconds, the high-output Performance can launch from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. Both top out at 200km/h.

That’s a significant improvement over the 6.4 seconds 0-100km/h time claimed for the latest VW Golf GTI, although the traditional petrol-fed hot hatch can top out at a much higher 250km/h.

As well as quick the new ID.3 GTX has a very respectable range courtesy of its new 84kWh lithium-ion battery. The quickest ID.3 yet is capable of travelling up to 600km between charges on the WLTP Euro test cycle.

The new power pack can also be topped up at a rate of up to 175kW when using a fast DC charger.

Plug it in and a 10-80 per cent top up now takes around 26 minutes.

The ID.3 GTX also gets a bespoke chassis tune that includes new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars, plus a retuned power steering.

There’s also a new more sophisticated Vehicle Dynamics Manager ECU that is quicker to adjust damper rates and oversees the function of the stability control.

Differing from the standard ID.3 range, the GTX gets revised front and rear bumpers, larger 20-inch alloy wheels, and gloss black design elements like the side sills, A-, B- and C-pillar, roof and rear tailgate spoiler.

Inside there are sport seats wrapped in faux leather and suede, VW’s new 12.9-inch infotainment system with an onboard AI-powered assistant, a black headlining, alloy pedals and a sports steering wheel.

When it’s introduced the ID.3 GTX will include standard cruise control (adaptive cruise is an option), the car-maker’s latest AEB that gets pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, oncoming vehicle braking when turning, road sign assist and a Car2X traffic hazard alert.

Timings and full pricing for the incoming Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance will be announced later but it’s thought the electric hatch will rock up following the launch of the standard ID.3 that’s due to happen in Q4 of this year.