X the new I: Sporty GTX version of Volkswagen ID.4 revealed

April 29, 2021May 3, 2021 John Carey 3764 Views VW, VW GTX, VW ID.4, VW ID.4 GTX

At Volkswagen, X is the I of the EV era. The ID.4 GTX, revealed in Germany overnight, is the electric equivalent of a Golf GTI.

The GTX is the first dual-motor and all-wheel drive from Volkswagen’s electric-only ID sub-brand, based on the Volkswagen ID.4 mid-sized SUV. Together, its two motors punch out 220kW.

VW claims the ID.4 GTX can accelerate 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. This beats the front-drive Golf GTI, but the EV is slower than the quickest Golf of all, the all-wheel-drive R. The top speed of the ID.4 GTX is limited to 180km/h.

Big wheels, black roof and different bumper designs set GTX apart from other ID.4 models

“This SUV is a sports car,” said VW development chief Thomas Ulbrich at the online presentation of the ID.4 GTX from a hangar at Berlin’s historic Tempelhof Airport. “The handling is simply amazing.”

Europeans will soon be able to find out if he’s telling the truth. Deliveries of the ID.4 GTX will begin in June or July. Its price in Germany will be the equivalent of $80,000, though current government incentives in that country reduce this by more than $10,000.

The ID.4 GTX has a 480km driving range according to the WLTP test standard. Its 77kWh battery pack can accept DC fast-charging rates up to 125kW.

Trio of diamond-shaped lights in lower bumper inset echo pattern of adjacent grille

Visually, the GTX is differentiated from other ID.4 models by a front bumper with extra lighting elements, a new rear bumper design, special tail lights and its black-painted roof and rear pillar. It rides on big 20- or 21-inch wheels.

Inside, the fast ID.4 features special blue dash and door insert trims, red upholstery stitching and GTX logos.

Typical sporty VW touches for the interior of the ID.4 GTX…

The GTX family will grow quickly. Volkswagen execs confirmed the coming ID.5, basically a coupe version of the ID.4, will get the same treatment.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...