2024 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: Electric Golf GTI bound for Oz

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is gearing up for an Australian release in the second half of 2024, coinciding with the local launch of the facelifted small EV.

“It's a great win for us”, VW Australia managing director, Michal Szaniecki, told Wheels.

“We've been in discussions with headquarters for some time, and now we have it, which is a great surprise. All the details including the visuals and specifications are still under wraps for now.”

The most powerful ID.3 currently has a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 150kw/310whiNm – rather close to the Cupra Born electric hot hatch’s 170kW/310Nm outputs – getting it to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

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To make a significant leap over the existing ID.3, the GTX will likely need to pick up an extra motor and become AWD. We could see it picking up the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX’s 220kW/460Nm powertrain. The result would be an EV that’s quicker than a Golf GTI, and not too far off a Golf R. Think of a 0-100km/h time between 5.5-6.5 seconds

Other things to expect include a tauter chassis, bigger alloy wheels with wider tyres, pumped exterior styling, and adaptive dampers. Selectable drive modes, including a Sport mode, are likely to feature the ID.3 GTX with a local asking price in the vicinity of $70-80K.

Volkswagen Australia delayed the arrival of the ID.3 small car to make sure Australians got the heavily facelifted version that does without the frustrating haptic touch steering wheel and convoluted software that new head honcho, Thomas Schäfer, openly criticised.

As Volkswagen launches its new GTX brand in 2024, it expects performance variants to increase their overall share from 10 per cent of VW’s sales to 25 per cent.

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The facelifted 2024 Volkswagen ID.3

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

March 29 2023: Australian timing confirmed for ID models

Volkswagen Australia has today confirmed local launch timing for its ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.Buzz models – get all the details at the links below.

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The facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatch has debuted in Europe.

Unveiled just two-and-a-half years after the ID.3 launched in Europe – following software-related delays – the updated model was pulled forward to address customer feedback.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the updated ID.3 will debut the nameplate locally, but it's not expected until 2024 or even 2025, with timing yet to be locked in.

While it appears similar to the pre-facelift model, the revised ID.3 receives a freshened look with a new front bumper, an active shutter system, and air curtains to improve aerodynamics.

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Volkswagen has redesigned the ID.3's bonnet by removing the black strip and "recessed sections at the sides [to] create an additional impression of visual lengthening."

Although the rear end looks identical, the tail-lights have been upgraded to include illumination for the tailgate section, an X-shape for the brake lights, and sequential turn signals.

In addition, it features newly-designed alloy wheels, a thicker beltline, the removal of the c-pillar dot pattern, and a new dark olivine green exterior colour.

As before, the Volkswagen ID.3 has a 2770-millimetre wheelbase, and measures 4261mm long and 1809mm wide. However, it is 6mm lower at 1562mm tall.

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Inside, the updated ID.3 gains higher-quality materials in response to customer and media feedback, with soft-touch materials and remodelled door panels with larger hand rests.

Flagship variants also receive softer materials on the upper part of the dashboard.

Volkswagen said the ID.3 is now 'animal-free', with faux leather used on the steering wheel, while the door trims and seat covers are now produced from 71 per cent reused plastic waste.

The larger free-standing 12-inch infotainment screen – as found in the related Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.4 – receives updated, clearer graphics, a more informative charging menu, and an optional cloud-based voice control system for a smoother experience.

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While the 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster is retained, the ID.3 borrows augmented reality technology for its head-up display from the ID.4 and ID.Buzz.

As expected, despite feedback, the updated ID.3 retains its touch-sensitive controls and single-switch window controls, with physical controls expected to return in the third-generation Tiguan due later this year.

Under the skin, the updated ID.3 retains its MEB electric vehicle architecture, with a carryover rear-mounted 150kW and 310Nm electric motor.

It is available with a 58kWh or 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a claimed WLTP-rated driving range of up to 546 kilometres with the largest battery.

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Volkswagen claims a “smaller battery is planned for the future," but this cheaper variant – likely with a 45kWh unit – won't form part of the initial lineup.

The facelifted 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 will arrive in Europe later this year, with local timing currently unconfirmed.

“We’ll get [ID.3] earlier. It was always following ID.4 and ID.5, so it will come the following year, 2024, and [the facelift being pulled forwards] means we’ll get it earlier," said Volkswagen Australia product boss, Michelle Rowney, in November 2022.