Volkswagen ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer revealed

IN ITS push to go fully electric by 2035 Volkswagen has staged a double world premiere of two performance BEVs, the small ID.3 GTX (a starter Down Under) and the larger ID.7 GTX Tourer models that are said to carry forward the characteristics of VW’s ICE performance vehicles bearing names starting with GT… GTI, GTE and GTD.

These are the latest top-of-the-range GTX models to be announced with the first appearing back in 2021 and more follow as Volkswagen seeks to expand its successful sporty BEV line up.

Both will go into production soon with an “individual” exterior design including their own front and rear light signatures, sporty interior design details and a powerful performance drive feel says Volkswagen.

The financially pressured carmaker’s GTX models are proving popular in Europe emphasised by one in five newly registered ID.4 and ID.5 BEVs carrying the sporty nomenclature spurred by sharp dynamics and athletic appearance that are carried through on the two newcomers with individual, model specific tech’ setups.

Two variants of the ID.3 GTX rear wheel drive will be launched: a 210kW/545Nm regular version and a more desirable 240kW/545Nm GTX Performance which VW describes as “a snappy, compact sports car.”

Both receive electrons from a 79kWh (usable capacity, or 84kWh gross) lithium-ion battery pack with a claimed range of about 600km with the lesser model capable of a claimed 0-100km sprint in 6.0 seconds, the latter in 5.6 seconds.

By comparison, the current ICE Volkswagen GTI has less power and torque (180kW/ 370Nm) and is slower from 0-100km/h at 6.4 seconds but weighs less than the expected 2.0 tonne ID.3 GTX.

“With its spontaneous and superior power delivery, the new ID.3 GTX Performance is for me the electric counterpart to our sporty compact icon, the Golf GTI Clubsport,” said Volkswagen Brand development manager Kai Grünitz.

“Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the ID.3 GTX Performance and the Golf GTI Clubsport share the same fascinating lightness when they accelerate.

“With the ID.3 GTX, Volkswagen is transferring the almost 50-year tradition of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure is guaranteed.”

In terms of design and equipment the ID.3 GTX stands out from other VW products thanks to its individualised exterior design boasting specific front bumper features, a new independent black air intake in a diamond-style design and new daytime running lights.

The black elements of the body have a high-gloss finish carried through to the side sills and lower area of the rear end with diffuser. It rolls on 20-inch Skagen alloy wheels fitted as standard with skinny 215 series tyres.

Buyers have a host of GTX-specific features available to customise their vehicle’s interior starting with the sports seats in fabric and leatherette that are standard equipment. Yet another “classic” GTX design element is the red decorative stitching to the seats and multifunction steering wheel nestling in a GTX-specific cockpit.

The ID.3 GTX Performance model has DCC adaptive chassis control as standard to optimise sporty dynamics, chassis control and passenger comfort.

Moving to the ID.7 GTX Tourer (wagon) we find the most powerful model in the product line with a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain that can drive the front axle in parallel with the rear axle. It is an interesting entrant as the market for medium/large wagons is limited as buyers opt instead for SUVs.

Power is a combined 250kW with the front unit an 80kW AKA150 asynchronous electric motor. Electronic differential locks help to optimise traction under full acceleration.

“The ID.7 GTX Tourer paves the way for a new type of sporty mobility by combining the spaciousness of a large estate with the performance of a sports car. What is fascinating here is the instantaneous punch with which the electric motors provide their maximum output and torque in fractions of a second,” added Mr Grünitz.

The design and equipment of the ID.7 GTX Tourer is differentiated from other models by a distinctive bumper with honeycomb grille and GTX-specific light graphics including illuminated badges.

As with the ID.3 GTX, all black elements have a high-gloss finish also applied to the side sills and the lower area of the rear bumper and like the ‘3, the ‘7 rolls on 20-inch Skagen alloy wheels with wider rubber.

The interior is defined by features such as individualised seats (heated fronts) with perforated GTX lettering in the backrests, red piping, red seams on the dash and door trims as well as a GTX-specific multifunction steering wheel with red decorative stitching.

The ID.7 GTX’s luggage compartment capacity is up to 1714 litres with the second row folded but the Passat wagon replacement model is unconfirmed for local consumption.