Electric Golf GTI! Volkswagen reveals 2025 ID.3 GTX hot hatch

Volkswagen has unveiled a Golf GTI for the electric age with the 2024 ID.3 GTX hot hatch.

Sitting atop the recently-updated ID.3 range, GTX variants score distinct front bumpers, lighting signatures and wheel designs. More power and chassis focus is a given.

Volkswagen has not confirmed global launch timing yet. There was a previous expectation that the ID.3 GTX would arrive this year, however the plan has changed at VGA.

"GTX is an exciting performance variant that will first debut in Australia with the ID.4 and ID.5. The ID.3 range for Australia will be announced in due course and the timing remains 2025+", a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson told Wheels.

The GTX badge has proven successful for ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs, with 20 per cent of sales for the high-performance moniker in Europe – Australia's penchant for GTI and R models could see an even richer share locally.

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In Europe, Volkswagen will offer two trim levels as it does currently with the Golf GTI.

The 'base' ID.3 GTX is fitted with passive dampers and a single 'AP550' rear motor producing 210kW while the GTX Performance (think GTI Clubsport) gets adaptive dampers and a 240kW tune, cutting its 0-100km/h sprint by four-tenths to 5.6 seconds.

Volkswagen's new electric hot hatch beats its Cupra Born relation for outputs (by 40kW and 70kW, respectively), as well as its GTI ICE forebear that produces 180kW/370Nm.

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Batteries have been tweaked, too, with the GTX getting a 79kWh capacity compared to the regular 150kW ID.3's 77kWh.

Volkswagen's initial range expectation is around 600km for the regular GTX, with the hardcore Performance likely to offer a little less.

Charging capacity is a little higher, too, with the GTX able to take on DC electricity at 175kW for a sub 30-minute 10-80 per cent interval.

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Distinguishing itself from the regular ID.3, the GTX wears different bumpers, has a unique LED light signature, gloss black details on the sills and diffuser, and wears 20-inch 'Skagen' (sharing a name with Danish seafood toast) alloy wheels.

Inside, the treatment is very similar to the GTI though without the signature tartan upholstery.

'Premium Sports Seats' are appointed in dark grey fabric with leatherette accents and there's red contrast stitching for a pop of colour.

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Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen board responsible for development said: “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.”

The hot hatch was revealed alongside a 250kW GTX version of the ID.7 electric tourer, though Volkswagen has previously stated that the long-roof vehicle isn't earmarked for Australia.

Pricing and Australian availability of the ID.3 GTX is unconfirmed. British outlets have estimated a start price of around A$80,000 for the ID.3 GTX in the UK market.