Volkswagen’s Electric Evolution: Introducing the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer
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For Volkswagen aficionados, the “GTI” badge carries significant historical weight, spanning nearly five decades since its debut with the original Golf GTI in 1975 at the Frankfurt auto show. However, as the automotive industry transitions into the electric era, enthusiasts will need to familiarize themselves with a new nameplate. Enter the ID.3 GTX, Volkswagen’s premier electric hot hatch, and the ID.7 GTX Tourer, a sporty electric wagon. Regrettably, neither model is slated for release in the American market.
While Volkswagen had previously unveiled GTX variants of the ID.4 crossover and ID.5 coupe SUV for the European market in 2021, both utilizing the dual-motor powertrain present in the all-wheel-drive ID.4s sold in America, the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer represent the brand’s first foray into sporty electric vehicles with hatchback and wagon body styles, respectively.
The ID.3 GTX is offered in two variants: a standard version boasting 282 horsepower and a Performance model ramping it up to 322 hp. These power figures surpass those of the traditional gas-powered GTI and even the Golf R on the Performance model. Both versions deliver 402 pound-feet of torque and are rear-wheel drive, with acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds for the standard GTX and 5.6 seconds for the Performance model. Equipped with a 79.0-kWh battery, the ID.3 GTX boasts rapid charging capabilities, achieving 10 to 80 percent charge in just 26 minutes, with an estimated range of 373 miles on Europe’s WLTP test cycle.
Setting the GTX models apart from standard ID.3s are distinctive exterior features, including a redesigned front bumper, gloss black accents, and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the GTX boasts sport seats with red stitching and an upgraded infotainment system via a 12.9-inch touchscreen.
On the other hand, the ID.7 GTX Tourer boasts a dual-motor setup delivering 335 horsepower to all four wheels. Featuring an 86.0-kWh battery, the ID.7 GTX Tourer can charge at up to 200 kW, with an expected range exceeding the normal ID.7 Tourer’s 426-mile WLTP figure. Similar to the ID.3 GTX, the Tourer model sports a sporty exterior design and upscale interior upgrades, including heated front seats with red piping and stitching.
While sales of the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer commence in Europe, there are no plans to introduce these models to the American market. Despite Volkswagen’s introduction of electric vehicles to the U.S., including the ID.3 sedan, the compact hatchback and wagon variants remain exclusive to European consumers.
