RE: VW ID 3 finally gets 326hp GTX flagship

RE: VW ID 3 finally gets 326hp GTX flagship

Thursday 14th March

VW ID 3 finally gets 326hp GTX flagship

The ID 3 hasn't tickled many pickles thus far - perhaps a rear-drive range topper can sort that


We’ve been waiting a while for a properly sporty version of the VW ID 3. All the way back in May 2021, then-CEO Ralf Brandstätter posed with an ID X concept that boasted 333hp, four-wheel drive and 200kg reduction in kerbweight. Appetites were whetted for an EV that improved upon the worthy but truthfully quite dull standard model. Now, almost three years later, we have the real thing: the VW ID 3 GTX. 

Quite a bit has changed from that original concept, too. The bad news is that there’s no drastic weight reduction compared to the base model, or certainly not one that VW is currently admitting to. That was always a long shot, really. The good news is that the GTX is rear-drive only, and produces up to 326hp in Performance trim (alongside an entry-level 286hp GTX) - the flagship makes use of VW’s most powerful electric drive motor to date. Presumably, this won’t be its only outing, either; imagine it doubled up with a driven front axle for something properly potent. 

Anyway, the GTX. In Performance spec it’s expected to reach 62mph in 5.6 seconds; the 286hp model won’t be far behind (6.0) given torque for both is identically rated at 402lb ft. Top speed is either 111mph or 124mph. The battery is 79kWh usable, the motor is the new APP550 unit found in the ID 7, and when drivers come to charge - which could be after 370 miles, says VW - the GTXs will be able to accept 175kW. VW says that gearbox components have been ‘friction-optimised and reinforced’ to deal with the additional outputs, and a new inverter benefits thermal stability - this in turn helps with better efficiency.

Now, obviously, VW has an incredible back catalogue of hot hatch heritage to draw upon, though it’s important to note that this ID 3 is a GTX rather than a GTI like the recent ID concept. So the look is more a reinterpretation of VW’s trademark cues, rather than a wholesale carryover. So there aren’t any red accents outside or tartan trim, but the Kings Red here is a tribute to the old Tornado Red solid paint, and there’s red stitching inside that’s said to combine Tornano and Flash Red as a homage to the old heroes. 

Additional GTX cues for this new ID include a unique front end with the diamond-style grille and more prominent bumper, a rear diffuser, black accents, GTX badges and a new set of 20-inch ‘Skagen’ wheels. On the lower-powered model, the tyres are 215-section, or 235s for the Performance. Best like the old-school red, too, as the only other colour options are black, silver, grey and white.

Those keeping up to date with recent VWs will be able to tick off the ID 3 GTX’s equipment as we go: ChatGPT is in there, as is the Wellness app, as is the latest version of the IDA voice assistant. With some recycled seats. The tech works through a 12.9-inch infotainment screen that promises to be more intuitive than before. 

All well and good, but as we’ve learnt with all too many EVs already (and some of the GTXs, in fact), more power on its own does not necessarily make for a better car on its own. To increase the enthusiast appeal, the ID 3 GTX benefits from modified Dynamic Chassis Control damper as well as a ‘newly parametrised’ Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which will hopefully permit the hot hatch to cut a little looser than the standard, strait-laced ID 3. VW says the latest DCC has more sensors than before, meaning it can ‘better detect how the wheels and body are moving in order to control the shock absorbers accordingly by means of refined algorithms. Greater steering precision is promised as well, though there’s no mention of any naughtiness being encouraged by combining the output with rear-drive.

Kai Grünitz, VW Board member for development, said: “With the ID.3 GTX, Volkswagen is transferring the iconic fascination of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure and sustainability form a completely new alliance here.” Which is quite a big claim. We’ll know if VW’s latest EV can live up to it later in the year. 


Author
Discussion

RumbleOfThunder

Original Poster:

3,580 posts

205 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
They took the Cupra Born and added more power.

911Spanker

1,321 posts

18 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Why 2 stories on the same VWs? They look amazing.

essayer

9,126 posts

196 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
4 seats is daft in this class of car

Justin-ow582

162 posts

107 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
"VW says that gearbox components have been ‘friction-optimised and reinforced’ to deal with the additional outputs"

It has a gearbox?

Stumason10

78 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Justin-ow582 said:
"VW says that gearbox components have been ‘friction-optimised and reinforced’ to deal with the additional outputs"

It has a gearbox?
Just be a speed reducing gearbox, most motors need a reduction gearbox for RPM to be low enough at the wheels and multiply the torque.

HardMiles

325 posts

88 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
More crap - keep it up VW!

ajap1979

8,014 posts

189 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Looks alright to me

W124

1,596 posts

140 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
I reckon this car will be surprisingly good.

nismo48

3,884 posts

209 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
essayer said:
4 seats is daft in this class of car
Is that with the smaller capacity battery?

Dombilano

1,190 posts

57 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Is there a slower accelerating 320hp+ car in recent memory?
Pickle very much remains untickled

ajap1979

8,014 posts

189 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
nismo48 said:
essayer said:
4 seats is daft in this class of car
Is that with the smaller capacity battery?
Sounds like just one battery size in the GTX…

Downward

3,685 posts

105 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
RumbleOfThunder said:
They took the Cupra Born and added more power.
Same as the new Born.
Is it the same cost ?

Scott-R

114 posts

107 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Dombilano said:
Is there a slower accelerating 320hp+ car in recent memory?
Pickle very much remains untickled
FL5 Civic Type R is 325hp and 5.x to 60. The Civic is limited by being FWD of course

caratacus

20 posts

68 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
I have a base ID3 on contract hire, on a cheap monthly. I am so looking forward to giving it back next March.
I cannot see how this car can be any fun at all, just quicker to 60.
I think it will depreciate like a stone.

My ID3 is booked in next month for a software update, (so long ago I can't remember when I was first told it needed this). They have a huge backlog.
I was told it would take 2 days, but have been give a courtesy car for 4 days because I have been told the update could all go wrong.

I am also sick of the key losing connection to the car

My advice perhaps don't consider a flagship 326hp GTX

carlo996

6,215 posts

23 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
Back in the day we had the UJM (universal Japanese motorcar) it’s gone full circle. All the new EV releases are so blandly boring, just a facsimile of the next. Might as well buy the cheapest trim level you like and be happy. Because there’s literally nothing else to write home about!

Edited by carlo996 on Wednesday 13th March 19:41

Hub

6,459 posts

200 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
They have made it look a bit better... But still not sold on these very spartan interiors

EV8

55 posts

5 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
So, what is it now? Too powerful, not enough pover? SUV? No, not that. To heavy? Too big? Too wide? EV? Charging stations not working? What?

They made a ok looking EV hot hatch. And, btw, all the golf gti I see around here just drone by on the straight parts of the road with some god awful exhaust. Feel? Sunday morning blast on the twisty road? It is an EV golf! Buy an Elise or something, jesus


pb8g09

2,433 posts

71 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
EV8 said:
So, what is it now? Too powerful, not enough pover? SUV? No, not that. To heavy? Too big? Too wide? EV? Charging stations not working? What?

They made a ok looking EV hot hatch. And, btw, all the golf gti I see around here just drone by on the straight parts of the road with some god awful exhaust. Feel? Sunday morning blast on the twisty road? It is an EV golf! Buy an Elise or something, jesus
Or take user reviews like Caratacus above who has a lower spec model to tell you the user experience is st.

tr3a

515 posts

229 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
PH said:
Anyway, the GTX. In Performance spec it’s expected to reach 62mph in 5.6 seconds
Pathetic. A mid-range Tesla Model 3 (not even a Performance version) does 0-62 in 4.4 seconds.

Pistotter

29 posts

56 months

Wednesday 13th March
quotequote all
A 'wellness app'?
WTF?!