Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, even its price hurts the GTI

Volkswagen has missed its electric transition and doesn’t hide it. But the manufacturer is not giving up and is playing the sports card to restart the engine.

Inevitably, a GTI version of an electric Volkswagen would only make purists howl. The initial recipe, which emerged in September 1975, was very simple. A front-wheel drive equipped with a 1.6-liter engine producing 110 horsepower and weighing a feather-light 846 kg. An impeccable chassis for pleasure and a tartan upholstery to make a statement, and you had one of the most exceptional pleasure machines ever produced. So, for the sporty versions of its electric vehicles, the German manufacturer has reasonably set aside the GTI badge and developed a specific GTX range.

But we honestly did not expect such attractive electric sports cars! The ID.3 GTX Performance develops 326 horsepower, making it the most powerful electric motor ever installed in a Volkswagen. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, offers a range of 600 km according to WLTP standards, and its driving behavior is exceptional thanks to the numerous electronic aids it benefits from. But fortunately, the ID.3 GTX is rear-wheel drive and weighs nearly 2 tons… Even with the best intentions, it is impossible to find the GTI DNA in this car, no matter how exceptional it may be. Phew, the honor is preserved.

Damned Penalty!

Finally, that’s what one might think before knowing the starting price of this very spirited ID.3. Volkswagen has just launched pre-sales in Germany at a price of 52,295 euros. This model goes head-to-head with the Golf GTI Clubsport with its 300 spirited horses, which is listed at 53,085 euros. Performance is expected to be very close, both models have a very successful sporty look, and when choosing a sports car, the argument of savings at the pump doesn’t really make sense. So why does this GTX hurt the most formidable GTI so much? With CO2 emissions of 171 g/km, the Golf GTI Clubsport incurs a penalty of 9,681 euros. The price difference then exceeds 10,000 euros between the two models, and the match is settled in favor of the electric.

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