Volkswagen lifts the veil on two new versions of its ID.3 compact electric car. Here are the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX and GTX Performance. On the program: lots of power, and a record autonomy for the ID.3 thanks to a new battery.
After the ID.7 Tourer GTX, Volkswagen unveils two new versions of its most affordable electric car: the ID.3 GTX and ID.3 GTX Performance. The acronym GTX is meaningful here, since it allows the ID.3 to become a real bomb, in the vein of the thermal Golf GTI. But with much less pollution, and less noise as well.
Two mind-blowing versions
Technically, the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX takes the basis of the ID.3 range, but by integrating the brand new AP550 engine found on the ID.7, and on the new Cupra Born VZ XL. It allows the car to claim a power of 210 kW (286 hp), and even 240 kW (326 hp) in the GTX Performance version.
This allows you to reach 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 to 6 seconds depending on the version. But above all, Volkswagen specifies that the torque exceeds “ the driving force behind Volkswagen’s most powerful V6 turbo engines“. One of the executives of the German company goes even further by adding that “ the new ID.3 GTX Performance is for me the electric equivalent of our iconic sports compact car: the Golf GTI Clubsport“. That’s it!
In both cases, the torque climbs to 545 Nm. The speed is limited to 180 km/h for the GTX and 200 km/h for the GTX Performance.
The running gear has also evolved, with reinforced stabilizer bars and progressive steering adapted to this version. As standard, we find the adaptive regulation of the DCC running gear with DCC Sport to improve road holding.
A range of 600 km
The good news is that these new ID.3 GTX swaps the 77 kWh net battery (82 kWh gross) for a pack of 79 kWh net capacity (84 kWh gross capacity). Knowing that the AP550 electric motor is the most efficient from Volkswagen, we can expect a high range.
And this is the case, since the manufacturer plans a range of around 600 km on the WLTP mixed cycle. We will have more details when the car has passed approval. For comparison, the current ID.3 equipped with a 77 kWh pack announces a theoretical range of 573 km.
Note that this is the first time that a GTX electric car has integrated a single motor and not two motors, as is the case with the new ID.7 Tourer GTX. Two engines would have made it possible to increase power, but also to offer all-wheel drive. However, it is difficult to fit two engines in the small ID.3.
For charging, Volkswagen announces a maximum power of 175 kW, allowing you to fill up with electrons, from 10 to 80%, in 26 minutes with a fast charging station.
A sporty design
GTX version obliges, the exterior design of the car evolves. There are specific front bumpers with a new air intake. Two daytime running lights also appear in the lower part. Two 20-inch rims will also be available. The lower bodies have been redesigned, as has the rear part which accommodates a diffuser.
Inside, we continue with the GTX spirit. Already, we are dealing with a brand new central infotainment screen, 12.9 inches. A screen that arrives on the rest of the ID.3 range (instead of 12 inches since the restyling). Above all, the physical bar with the air conditioning buttons is now backlit (more practical in the dark…).
As on the ID.7 Tourer GTX, we find red stitching throughout the cabin and in particular on the seats, a dedicated sports multifunction steering wheel and surfaces that are not found on other finishes.
The big question is whether this version is 4 or 5 seats. Remember that the ID.3 with the large 77 kWh battery is only available in a 4-seater version, unlike its cousin from Che Cupra.
Price and availability
Volkswagen has not yet announced pricing and availability for the ID.3 GTX and ID.3 GTX Performance. But you should expect a price around 47,000 euros. Its cousin, the Cupra Borne VZ XL will be launched in the third quarter of 2024 and will be available to order from June in France. Which gives us some clues for these ID.3s.
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