Electric Volkswagen Golf GTI successor confirmed for production – report

Volkswagen – which popularised the hot hatch almost half a century ago – will rehash its GTI framework for a new generation.

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The Volkswagen ID.X hot hatch concept – revealed in May of this year – is destined for mass production, according to a new report from Auto Express.

Speaking to the outlet at a Munich motor show preview event, Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstatter the model would likely launch as the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX.

“The ID.X concept was to show what’s possible,” Brandstatter said. “We had the MEB toolbox in the beginning, we added all-wheel drive with the GTX. We will add a performance engine on the rear axle [of the ID.3] to give the car more acceleration, more speed … it will come to life.”

In concept guise, dual motors – one on each axle – send 245kW to all four wheels, allowing the 0-100km/h benchmark dash to be completed in a claimed 5.3 seconds.

For reference, the entry-level Volkswagen ID.3 completes the same sprint in 8.9 seconds, courtesy of a single 110kW motor. Flagship 150kW versions cover the same dash in 7.3 seconds.

However, Mr Brandstatter noted “[the production model] won’t be quite as powerful as the ID.X concept.” It’s highly – though so far unconfirmed – the final car will share its mechanicals with the larger ID.4 GTX, which develops 220kW from dual electric motors and a 77kWh battery.

A spokesperson for Volkswagen in Australia was unable to comment on a timeline for the model’s reveal, or the prospect of local availability – though the local rollout of the ID range has been reported to be pushed back following lenient emissions regulations locally. This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

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