Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Is A 322-HP Hot Hatch With Rear-Wheel Drive

Volkswagen has given the GTX treatment to its smallest electric car, the ID.3, creating an all-electric rear-wheel drive hot hatch with up to 322 hp. It follows the ID.7 GTX Tourer that was also revealed this week.

Two variants will be offered — standard and Performance — to provide different power levels. Both have been decked out with sporty accessories and promise high levels of efficiency and an impressive (WLTP-rated) range. As a hot hatch, it should be talented in the dynamics department, and VW promises this as well as a feature-rich interior with the latest technology and safety systems.

The ID.3 GTX receives a rear axle-mounted electric motor that develops 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque. A Performance variant bumps power up to 322 horses, making this electric hatch more potent than a Golf R and even most of VW's turbocharged V6 engines.

Despite these strong power figures, the ID.3 GTX isn't as quick as expected. The base model reaches 62 mph in six seconds flat, while the Performance version gets there 0.4 seconds sooner. These are early estimates, so we may see more impressive figures later. As a reminder, the Golf GTI and R reach 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and just over four seconds, respectively.

Still, Volkswagen says the ID.3 GTX delivers blistering acceleration thanks to the immediate response of the electric drive motor. The top speed of the GTX is 111 mph, while the Performance is limited to 124 mph.

Volkswagen has made several revisions to ensure the GTX is more exciting to drive than the regular ID.3. A progressive steering system has been adapted for more precise steering inputs. The front end uses a MacPherson setup, while the rear is a multi-link suspension system that should provide superior comfort, stability, and handling. The GTX receives stiffer stabilizers and model-specific tuning.

The Performance variant receives the DCC adaptive chassis control system as standard, which is operated via the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. Using the latest software, the system better understands how the wheels and vehicle body are moving and can adjust the shock absorbers accordingly. The driver can choose between four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, or