Volkswagen ID.3 GTI revealed: 326 PS, rear-wheel drive and up to 601 km range

KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen has revealed the new ID.3 GTI, putting its familiar hot hatch badge on an electric model with rear-wheel drive, 326 PS and a claimed range of up to 601 km. Pre-sales are scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Arriving in the GTI’s 50th anniversary year, the ID.3 GTI is described by Volkswagen as its most powerful series-production GTI yet. It is based on the ID.3 Neo, with changes covering the chassis, styling and cabin.

The red stripe and tartan seats are present, of course. But the more interesting question is how Volkswagen intends to give an electric hatch the driving appeal expected of that badge.

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Rear-wheel drive, 545 Nm and a 5.6-second century sprint

The ID.3 GTI sends 326 PS (240 kW) and 545 Nm to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted electric motor. Volkswagen quotes a 0–100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h.

Launch Control comes as standard, alongside an adaptive DCC sports chassis and progressive steering. These give the GTI more than a power increase and a different set of wheels, although how well the package works on the road will have to wait for a drive.

A dedicated GTI mode joins the Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual driving profiles. Activated through an illuminated button at the bottom of the steering wheel, it switches the motor response, steering and adaptive chassis to their sportiest settings and makes Launch Control available.

There is a theatrical side to it, too. The ambient lighting turns red, the ID. Light briefly flashes red and the digital instruments switch to a GTI layout that puts the power display and speedometer in the centre. A simulated combustion-engine soundtrack also plays in the background.

A 79 kWh battery and up to 601 km of claimed range

Power comes from a 79 kWh usable-capacity lithium-ion battery, with Volkswagen claiming a driving range of up to 601 km.

DC charging peaks at 183 kW, with a quoted 10–80% charging time of around 29 minutes. As usual, the actual charging time will depend on conditions, including battery temperature and the charger being used.

The ID.3 GTI also supports vehicle-to-load functionality through an optional PowerSocket adapter connected to its charging port. This allows the car to supply electricity to external devices, including charging an e-bike during a stop.

Familiar GTI details, with a different face

Volkswagen has carried over several recognisable GTI cues, starting with a red stripe across the front and a gloss-black honeycomb lower intake.

Standard IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights sit alongside a light strip and illuminated VW badge. Vertical lighting elements at the outer edges of the bumper distinguish the electric GTI, while red bumper accents and a front splitter complete the changes up front.

The standard 20-inch Wörthersee alloy wheels reference the Austrian location associated with the long-running GTI gathering. Gloss-black mirror caps and side skirts provide some contrast along the sides.

Compared with the previous ID.3 GTX, the GTI also takes a different approach to its upper bodywork. The roof, rear spoiler and boot lid are finished in the body colour, replacing the GTX’s black treatment.

Five colours will be offered: Tornado Red, Moonstone Grey, Scale Silver metallic, Grenadilla Black metallic and Glacier White metallic.

The cabin follows the redesigned ID.3 Neo interior, adding GTI-pattern tartan upholstery to the front sports seats and rear seats, red stitching, a red dashboard strip and a sports steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker.

There is a larger Digital Cockpit alongside a 12.9-inch Innovision infotainment touchscreen.

Of more everyday interest is the separate button strip beneath the screen for climate functions and the hazard lights. A rotary control on the centre console handles volume adjustment and skipping songs or radio stations.

Optional equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, massage and memory functions for the front sports seats, a 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system and an augmented-reality head-up display.

Buyers can also specify a removable bicycle-carrier bracket with a stated 75 kg load rating.

Driver assistance adds traffic-light recognition

Available assistance features include Park Assist Pro with a memory function and the latest version of Travel Assist.

According to Volkswagen, the updated Travel Assist can respond to traffic lights, automatically bringing the car to a stop when it detects a red signal.

For now, Volkswagen has confirmed an early-2027 pre-sales start, but the supplied announcement does not include pricing or Malaysian availability.

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