VW ID.4 GTX hits dealerships, software update announced [Update]

Update: ‘ID.4 GTX software update’ section added and ‘VW ID.4 GTX prices’ and ‘Volkswagen Accelerate strategy’ section updated.

The VW ID.4 GTX, the first performance ID. model, is now on sale in Europe. The above picture shows a grey unit at the Swiss dealership Garage Kocher AG.

Let’s dive into Volkswagen’s sportiest electric SUV to understand what’s on offer:

Design

Volkswagen unveiled the ID.4 GTX with an action-packed demonstration in a hangar at the former Tempelhof Airport in Berlin on April 28, 2021. The company showed capabilities of the dual-motor all-wheel-drive ID.4 GTX by climbing it up a 525 square meter ramp with a gradient of 37.5%.

The base is the regular ID.4, but the GTX gets an extra motor, more torque, a tweaked suspension, and styling enhancements. Image: Volkswagen

The VW ID.4 GTX has a sportier exterior and interior with several variant-specific modifications. The ID.4 GTX features three honeycomb daytime running lights on each side of the front bumper, which, unlike on the ID.4, has a complete body-colored bottom section.

When you look the whole front area, you can recognize that next to the nice beautiful eyes we have, as well, three diamonds in each side which are integrated from the honeycomb in the front and it giving the car sporty character. It is the shape and as well the whole treatment of the front, and, of course, the proportions of the car, which makes the car sporty. It is standing on strong wheels, on big wheels, and we have as well here 21-inch wheel which gives the car strong character.

Jozef Kaban, Head of Design, Volkswagen on the front and side design of the ID.4 GTX

High-gloss air intake grille, “GTX” lettering on the wing and the boot, 20-inch exclusive alloy wheels, high-gloss anthracite roof frame bar, GTX logo on the tailgate, and diffusor brace in metallic Galvano grey are the other visual changes on the outside.

The car is always in the dark combination, with the body color always recognizable. But when we come to the back as well here we have completely new bumper, we have completely new look and of course as well here nicely the GTX writing and as well the special treatment of the lights.

Jozef Kaban, Head of Design, Volkswagen, on the rear of the ID.4 GTX

The VW ID.4 GTX can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.2 seconds. Image Source: Volkswagen

The ID.4 GTX has a dark-theme interior with some small sporty details. GTX fabric seat covers, steering wheel with GTX logo and red highlight, and gloss black dashboard trim are some of the key changes here. The upper section of the dashboard is in the dark shade of X-Blue. Moreover, the GTX logo appears on the sill panel trims and at the top of the front seat backrests.

When you look in of course it is blue color which first come in your eyes, then the red stitching, the red color, you know giving the sportiness, and as well of course sport seats the labelling on the seats and on the steering wheel. There’s plenty of things what you can experience and I think it is worth.

Jozef Kaban, Head of Design, Volkswagen, on the VW ID.4 GTX interior

Specifications

The ID.4 GTX has an additional electric motor, which powers the front wheels and makes it an AWD SUV. The front and rear motors together deliver 220 kW (299 PS/294 bhp). The long-range 77 kWh battery pack of the ID.4 is standard in the ID.4 GTX, and it offers a range of 480 km/298 miles (WLTP).

Talking about the ID.4 GTX at its world premiere, Thomas Ulbrich, BoM member responsible for Technical Development, Volkswagen, said:

The GTX is the GTI of the EV world. Its 77 kWh battery delivers a WLTP range of 480 km. At least as important so, is a high charging power of 125 kW. In the space of 30 minutes you can recharging with enough energy for roughly 300 km. And innovative operating and safety concept is just as intelligent as its driveline. The driver is supported, for example, by its unique augmented reality head-up display as well as the extensive assistance systems.

Thomas Ulbrich, BoM member responsible for Technical Development, Volkswagen, on the VW ID.4 GTX performance

The front motor of the ID.4 GTX can switch on within milliseconds when there’s a need for high-performance or grip. In normal situations or everyday driving, the rear motor spins the wheels. Volkswagen has used a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) at the rear because it is very efficient. At the front, it has employed an asynchronous motor (ASM) because of its compact and lightweight build and the fact that it produces minimal drag losses when it also runs without power.

Acceleration & Top speed

A 0-100 km/h sprint takes 6.2 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h. Thus, the ID.4 GTX is as quick as the Golf GTI. However, it isn’t nearly as fast, as the hatchback can go all the way up to 250 km/h (limited). The ID.4 GTX should provide better handling than conventional SUVs, due to the lower center of gravity resulting from the location of the battery on the floor.

An exclusive “Traction” drive mode, which the driver can keep active permanently active, provides the best possible grip and improved adaptive lane guidance even on loose or slippery terrain.

Thanks to the second electric motor at the front, thanks to the full power of up to 220 kW, and thanks to the intelligent and efficiently controlled dual-motor all-wheel drive, this SUV is a sports car delivering acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Thomas Ulbrich, BoM member responsible for Technical Development, Volkswagen on the VW ID.4 GTX’s character.

VW ID.4 GTX aspectSpecificationDrivetrain LayoutAll-wheel driveMotor(s)Two (front and rear)Maximum Power220 kW (299 PS/294 bhp)Maximum TorqueFront Motor – 162 Nm (119 lb.-ft.Rear Motor – 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.)Acceleration (0-100 km/h/0-62 mph)6.2 secondsTop Speed180 km/h (112 mph)Trailer loadUp to 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs)Wheels20- & 21-inchBattery Pack Capacity (Net)77 kWhMaximum Charging Power125 kWRange (WLTP)480 km (298 miles)Fast-charging Range (30 mins)306 km (190 miles)100% Charging Time (Home Charger)Approx. 7 h 30 min

Information compiled from the digital world premiere and regional VW websites.

The VW ID.4 GTX has an energy efficiency rating* of 16.3 kWh/100 km (NEDC). This makes it far more eco-friendly than a corresponding combustion engine model running on gasoline, which consumes around 7 liters per 100 km. That is the equivalent of around 60 kWh of energy, Jens Obernolte, Head of Energy and Weight Management, explained in an interview. He said that the efficiency rate of a gasoline car is more than three times lower than the an electric car. A diesel car isn’t much better either, with an efficiency rating of around 50 kWh/100 km.

*WLTP: 16.3-18.2 kWh/100 km

VW ID.4 GTX range test

YouTuber Bjørn Nyland did a range test of the VW ID.4 GTX and achieved 453 km (281 miles), and that is not far from the official maximum rating of 480 km (298 miles). After topping up the battery pack to 100% SoC, Nyland drove the ID.4 GTX for 439 km (281 miles) at an average speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).

At the end of that trip, 3% charging was remaining. So, the fully charged battery could have delivered 453 km (281 miles) of range. It is worth noting that the ID.4 X Nyland drove had the optional 21-inch Narvik alloy wheels. With the standard 20-inch Ystad alloy wheels, the electric SUV should do a marginally better range.

Video Source: Bjorn Nyland

What’s in the name?

Volkswagen plans to sell performance variants of electric cars with a ‘GTX’ suffix instead of the traditional ‘GTI’ which is synonymous with the Golf. The VW ID.4 GTX was the first performance car in the VW ID. range, and now there’s a VW ID.5 GTX, too. A VW ID.3 GTX could be the next launch in the performance range.

Production

Volkswagen manufactures the ID.4’s GTX variant with a sportier styling, all-wheel drive, and more power alongside its standard variant in Zwickau, Germany.

The ID.4 GTX is made at the same plant as other ID. cars – Zwickau, Germany. Image: Volkswagen

Zwickau is the same factory where in addition to the ID.4 range, Volkswagen builds the ID.3, Audi’s Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, VW ID.5, and Cupra Born. The ID.4 destined for American and Canadian showrooms will continue shipping from this plant until production in Chattanooga begins in the second half of this year. The first EV-only production facility of Volkswagen Group can roll out 330,000 cars a year.

VW ID.4 GTX Price

Country of saleBase VW ID.4 GTX PriceGermanyEUR 50,415NorwayNOK 475,100SwedenSEK 584,900DenmarkDKK 424,995FinlandEUR 58,710IcelandISK 7,150,000UKGBP 49,025

VW ID.4 GTX prices as on March 24, 2022

VW ID.4 GTX software update

Volkswagen has announced the ‘ID Software 3.0’ update for its ID. range of cars on March 21, 2022. ID. vehicles that have already been delivered will get over-the-air updates as of Q2, 2022. The ID Software 3.0 offers a host of improvements to the ADAS and the infotainment, aiming to resolve the highly critiqued intuitiveness of the system. VW previously mentioned that it would update the software of ID. cars every twelve weeks.

Image: Volkswagen

New ADAS functions

The ID. cars’ lane keep assist can now adapt to the owners’ driving styles and position the EV to the left or the right of the lane, instead of staying bang in the center. The ‘Travel Assist With Swarm Data,’ which is VW speak for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), can monitor surrounding traffic up to 56 mph and take preventive actions depending on the situation. It can also initiate lane changes when the driver turns the indicators on.

New Park Assist

Moreover, the update now enables ID. cars to drive over roads with just one lane marking. Additionally, Park Assist can take complete control of acceleration, steering, and braking up to 25 mph when the autonomous parking function is enabled. The system can also drive the car out of parking spaces. Lastly, the augmented reality head-up display is more comprehensive; it now showcases roundabout symbols and distance remaining to the destination.

Volkswagen Accelerate strategy

Announcing the ‘Accelerate’ strategy in 2021, Volkswagen said that it plans to “rapidly accelerate” the expansion of its BEV line-up. The company targets an increase in the share of BEV sales to over 70% in Europe and over 50% in the U.S. and China. To this end, Volkswagen will come out with at least one new BEV model every year. One year after the introduction of the Accelerate strategy, Volkswagen has nearly doubled EV sales. The company sold 263,000 EVs worldwide in FY2021, marking a 97% year-over-year growth.

VW ID.4 GTX FAQs

Will the U.S. get the VW ID.4 GTX?

The U.S. should eventually get the ID.4 GTX. The priority for the U.S. operations is localizing the standard ID.4 variants.

What is VW ID.4 GTX’s acceleration & top speed?

The VW ID.4 GTX’s 0-62 mph acceleration time is 6.2 seconds, while the top speed is 112 mph.

What is the VW ID.4 GTX release date?

The ID.4 GTX is now on sale in Europe.

Featured Image Source: Facebook/Garage Kocher AG

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