Volkswagen Unveils the ID.3 GTI: 326 HP, Rear-Wheel Drive and Up to 601 km of Range
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17.09.2026 22:42
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2 min read
Over the 50 years of the GTI badge, drivers have come to expect powerful front-wheel-drive hatchbacks. With the shift to electric power, Volkswagen is breaking with tradition: the ID.3 GTI it has just unveiled puts its motor on the rear axle. The new model still officially holds pre-production concept status, but the company already calls it the most powerful car in the history of the famous line.
601 km Without Charging and No More Front-Wheel Drive
The hot hatch is built on the MEB+ platform and powered by an APP550 electric motor. According to Volkswagen’s press office, the powertrain produces 240 kW (326 hp) and 545 N·m of torque. A built-in Launch Control system lets the car accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h.
Power comes from a traction battery with 79 kWh of usable capacity. Engineers promise a preliminary range of up to 601 km on the WLTP cycle. At DC fast-charging stations (up to 183 kW), recharging the battery from 10 to 80% takes about 29 minutes. To make the heavy EV handle like its classic gasoline predecessors, the chassis gets progressive steering and adaptive DCC dampers with a dedicated GTI Mode profile.
Plaid Seats and Traffic-Light Recognition
The designers worked to tie the concept visually to its heritage. The body is painted in the canonical Tornado Red, the signature red stripe remains on the front end, and the cabin gets sport seats with the recognizable Superclark plaid texture and red stitching. An aggressive front bumper and 20-inch Wörthersee wheels round out the exterior.
The digital hardware meets modern standards. The cabin features the Innovision infotainment system with a large central screen and a digital instrument cluster. The driver-assistance package adds one-pedal acceleration and braking, while the updated Connected Travel Assist system can now read traffic lights and bring the car to a stop automatically on red.
This is not the German brand’s first fully electric GTI — a few months earlier the company showed a similar ID. Polo GTI. Pre-orders for the production ID.3 GTI will open in early 2027, and the first cars will reach European dealers in the first quarter. The automaker is still keeping the retail price under wraps.
