The ID X concept, Volkswagen’s first hot hatch concept, was unveiled in May 2021. While the car was claimed to be a one-off at the time, CEO Ralf Brandstatter said the company would use ideas from the project for a production model. At IAA 2021, Brandstatter said the ID X would be produced as the VW ID.3 GTX. “Fun to drive is an aspect of mobility,” Brandstatter told Autocar, announcing the arrival of the electric ID.-based hot hatch.
The new go-fast hatchback will not be the same as the Volkswagen CEO’s ID X concept, but it will serve as inspiration for an all-wheel-drive ID.3. The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX will join the Volkswagen GTX lineup, including the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX.
The CEO said at the IAA Mobility 2021 that the ID X would take the ID.3 GTX nameplate in production form. Image: LinkedIn/Ralf Brandstater
VW ID X concept
Brandstatter revealed a few details about the VW ID X concept on LinkedIn in 2021. The EV offers a significant upgrade in specs over the ID.3. The ID X adds a front motor to the ID.3, giving it AWD capability. The front motor generates 128 hp, and with a total power of 329 hp, makes the modified ID.3 even more powerful than the ID.4 GTX. The concept car is 200 kg lighter than the ID.3, which allows it to go from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds.
Drift mode is also available on the ID X, just like on the Golf R. A lowered suspension arrangement and prominent alloy wheels with low-profile tires are other modifications to the electric vehicle. The exterior and interior have been painted in matte black with neon green accents. The dashboard has been altered, and Alcantara-covered sports seats have been installed. Volkswagen will ensure that customers would access more power and feel that they’re in a sportier EV.
The VW ID.3 GTX will be tuned for 293 bhp, the same as the ID.4 GTX, according to an Autocar UK report. Image: LinkedIn/Ralf Brandstater
VW ID.3 GTX
Brandstatter did not reveal any significant information about the car’s production version. An Autocar report from January 24, 2022, says that the VW ID.3 GTX will be tuned for 293 bhp, the same as the ID.4 GTX. It suggests that Volkswagen will utilize the dual-motor arrangement from the ID.4 GTX to make the VW ID.3 GTX a genuine all-wheel-drive hot hatchback.
Despite having less power than the SUV, the hot hatch will outperform because of being lighter and more aerodynamic. The SUV promises to reach 62 mph in 6.2 seconds, although the ID.3 GTX could be closer to 6 seconds. The top speed could be higher than the ID.4 GTX, which can go up to 112 mph.
The ID.4 GTX will not be sold in the American market. Image: LinkedIn/Ralf Brandstater
No GTX Models for the U.S.
Volkswagen doesn’t plan to offer the ID.4 GTX in the U.S. However, it does offer similar performance in the ID.4 with an AWD configuration as an option. Unlike the GTX, the ID.4 AWD does without the sporty styling. While the ID.4 GTX provides 294 miles range on the WLTP cycle, the ID.4 AWD can travel up to 251 miles as per EPA.
In Europe, the standard ID.3 is available with three battery options (45 kWh, 58 kWh, and 77 kWh). The VW ID.3 GTX is expected to come with a 77 kWh battery pack with a range of 311 miles. Now that the Volkswagen CEO has confirmed the launch, we expect to hear more about the hot hatch later this year.
MEB platform
Before VW Group transitions to future platforms like the SSP, expect upgrades to the MEB. Image: VW Group
At the UBS Paris Electric Car Day on April 12, 2022, Silke Bagschik, sales and marketing manager for the VW ID range, announced enhancements to the VW MEB platform to ensure that it is future-ready.
The EVs based on the updated MEB platform will be able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in about 5.5 seconds. The driving range of MEB platform-based EVs would increase to 435 miles, and their charging power input will increase to 200+ kW. Whether Volkswagen will do this via software enhancements or upgrading the hardware isn’t clear yet. For perspective, the U.S.-spec VW ID.4, based on the current generation of the MEB, offers 280 miles range on the EPA cycle with a peak charging rate of 125 kW.
Featured image source: LinkedIn/Ralf Brandstater
Keyword: VW ID.3 GTX – Everything we know as of April 2022