Volkswagen has unveiled the new ID.3 GTI, a performance-focused model that directly replaces the pre-facelift ID.3 GTX. This version carries the GTI badge, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, making the ID.3 GTI the most powerful production car to wear the iconic name.
The power output stands at 326 horsepower with 402 lb-ft of torque, both delivered to the rear wheels. Although the peak power does not exceed that of the earlier GTX, the acceleration from 0 to 62 mph improves by a tenth of a second, now reaching the sprint in 5.6 seconds.
Performance and Features
A 79 kWh battery provides a competitive range of up to 373 miles on a single charge. Using a compatible fast charger, the pack can be recharged from 10 percent to 80 percent in 29 minutes, offering a practical solution for longer journeys.
Within the drive-mode menu, the vehicle introduces a dedicated ‘GTI’ option that reconfigures suspension geometry and drivetrain settings for maximum sportiness. Activating GTI Mode via a steering-wheel button also unlocks a launch-control function, allowing drivers to optimise starts from a standstill.
When GTI Mode is engaged, interior ambient lighting shifts to a vivid red hue, and the digital instrument cluster highlights the speedometer as the primary display. A simulated GTI combustion-engine sound is also emitted, enhancing the sporty ambience.
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Design and Styling
The exterior receives notable styling updates that build on the recent ID.3 Neo refresh. Influences from the ID.Polo GTI are evident in the red accents applied to the honeycomb lower grille and the trim that runs between the headlights.
New 20-inch alloy wheels echo the design of the 19-inch rims found on the ID.Polo GTI, and additional GTI badges appear beneath each side mirror. Classic GTI colour options include Tornado Red, Moonstone Grey, Scale Silver, Grenadilla Black, and Glacier White.
Inside the cabin, the seats feature tartan-checked trim, with the ‘Superclark’ tartan upholstery on the sports seats described as a modern take on the pattern first used on the 1976 Golf GTI. Red stitching runs throughout the interior, and a red 12-o-clock marker is placed on the multi-function steering wheel.
Pre-orders for the ID.3 GTI are set to open for German customers at the start of 2027. According to local reports, Volkswagen has not yet announced pricing for the United Kingdom nor detailed the expected delivery timeline for that market.