Volkswagen has announced pricing for its new range-topping ID.3 GTX Performance, a 321bhp hot hatch variant that’ll rival the similarly powerful Cupra Born VZ, as well as VW’s own Golf R. The single, high-spec GTX Performance model will cost from £46,225, and will be available from the end of this month.
This price makes the GTX £1,600 above the closely-related Cupra Born VZ, and £2,905 less than the traditional petrol-powered Golf R, which in its new Mk8.5 trim costs from £43,320. For the money, though, the ID.3 GTX is fully loaded, with kit including Matrix LED headlights, an augmented reality heads-up display, 20-inch wheels and a Harman Kardon stereo.
This is the latest of Volkswagen’s GTX electric performance models, with recent additions to the range including the ID. Buzz GTX minibus and ID.7 GTX, but the placement of the new badge on the back of the Golf-sized ID.3 means something very different for VW. Until now, the compact high-volume hatchback has made do with some fairly mainstream performance capabilities, but the GTX changes all that with some figures that put it on the level of full-house hot hatchbacks.
The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX package is built around a new rear-mounted motor that sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. The top-spec GTX Performance model can grab the headlines with its 321bhp output, but VW will also offer a slightly less powerful base GTX that produces a 286bhp power output in overseas markets. There are no other technical changes between the Performance and standard models.
