Volkswagen ID.3 GTI Debuts with 322Bhp Powertrain, Becomes the Most Powerful GTI Model Ever

Also Read: Tata Nexon vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx Spec Comparison: What's Different?

The ID.3 GTI sends power to the rear axle and can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in a claimed time of 5.6 seconds. The electric hatchback has an electronically limited top speed of 200 kmph. It also comes equipped with Launch Control, adaptive DCC sports chassis and progressive steering as standard.

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTI houses a 79kWh battery pack which works in conjunction with a rear-mounted electric motor. The ID.3 GTI generates 240kW (322bhp) and 545Nm of torque. Volkswagen claims a driving range of up to 601 km. The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 183 kW, with a claimed 10-80 percent charging time of around 29 minutes.

Also Read: New BMW 7 Series Launched in India at Rs 1.95 Crore with 400PS Engine, 31.3-Inch 8K Theatre Screen and More

Along with Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual driving profiles, the ID.3 GTI gets a dedicated GTI mode. The mode changes the settings of the electric motor's power delivery, progressive steering and adaptive DCC sports chassis. Launch Control can also be activated in this mode.

Volkswagen has also incorporated specific visual and audio changes when GTI mode is selected. The cabin lighting switches to red, the ID.Light flashes red and the Digital Cockpit displays a GTI-specific interface. A simulated combustion-engine sound is also played in the background.

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTI gets a redesigned front end with the traditional GTI red stripe positioned between the headlights. It features IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights connected by a transparent light strip with an illuminated Volkswagen logo.

The front bumper gets vertically positioned LED elements, a black honeycomb grille and red detailing on the outer sections. The front spoiler is designed as a splitter, adding another GTI-specific design element.

The ID.3 GTI rides on standard 20-inch Wörthersee alloy wheels. The exterior mirrors and side members are finished in high-gloss black. Volkswagen has also changed the treatment of the roof, roof spoiler and boot lid compared with the earlier ID.3 GTX, with these elements now finished in the body colour.

The ID.3 GTI will be available in five colour options - Tornado Red, Moonstone Grey, Scale Silver, Grenadilla Black and Glacier White. Tornado Red continues the GTI colour theme and was previously offered on the first-generation Golf GTI .

On the inside the cabin of the ID.3 GTI follows the traditional GTI red-and-black theme. The dashboard gets a red strip running across its width, while the multifunction sports steering wheel features a red 12 o'clock marking.

The premium sports seats feature a Superclark tartan pattern, which Volkswagen describes as a new interpretation of the check pattern used on the seats of the original Golf GTI from 1976.

The ID.3 GTI uses the updated interior architecture of the ID.3 Neo. It gets a larger Digital Cockpit and a 12.9-inch Innovision infotainment touchscreen. A physical control strip for the air-conditioning functions is positioned below the display, while the centre console gets a rotary control for volume and media functions.

Optional features will include a panoramic sunroof, massage and memory functions for the premium sports seats, a 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system and an augmented-reality head-up display. A removable bracket for a bicycle carrier will also be offered.

The electric GTI will also be offered with a vehicle-to-load function through an optional PowerSocket adapter. This allows the vehicle's battery to supply electricity to external devices. Volkswagen has stated that the feature can be used to recharge e-bikes. With the optional bicycle-carrier bracket, the ID.3 GTI can carry two e-bikes and provide power to recharge them.

Also Read: Next-Gen Tesla Roadster Global Debut on October 1; Will Elon Musk’s Claim of Fastest Accelerating Car in the World Stand?

The ID.3 GTI can be equipped with the latest generation of Travel Assist and Park Assist Pro with a memory function. Volkswagen says the latest Travel Assist system can respond to traffic lights within its system limits. If it detects a red traffic light, the system can automatically brake the car to a standstill. The driver remains responsible for the vehicle.