An Electric Golf GTI AND Fast Wagon? Christmas Came Early This Year
So, Volkswagen has decided to bless European customers with not one, but two spicy new EVs that Americans probably won't ever see. Yeah, thanks for that, VW. You're just stirring the pot, aren't you? It's like waving a juicy hamburger in front of a hungry crowd and then saying "just kidding, here's some broccoli."
First up, we've got the ID.3 GTX. Although Volkswagen doesn’t like that comparison, this is the spiritual successor to the gas-powered Golf GTI and R. Now, many people think electric powertrains lack the soul and drama of a fire-breathing turbocharged engine. You’d be wrong presuming they can't be fun. The base ID.3 GTX churns out 282 horsepower (209 kW), with a beefy Performance version squeezing 322 horses (239 kW) from its electric motor. That's more than a GTI, and it even outmuscles the mighty Golf R. Torque? Forget about turbo lag – it's got 402 pound-feet (545 Nm) ready to rocket you off the line.
The standard ID.3 GTX scoots from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.0 seconds flat. Sounds decent, right? But the Performance version knocks that down to a scorching 5.6 seconds. That's seriously quick, putting the hot into this compact hot hatch. The only downside? VW has electronically hobbled both versions with top speeds of 111 and 124 mph (178 and 200 km/h) respectively. Sure, you're not buying a GTI for Autobahn runs, but come on VW, don't stifle the fun!
There’s no more chance for the humble “civilian” ID.3 being mixed up with its hot sibling – the ID.3 GTX finally injects some much-needed aggression into the ID.3's otherwise bland design. Sharp bumpers, gloss black accents, and snazzy 20-inch wheels... it's the whole package. If that's not enough, VW has even upgraded the interior, blessing the GTX with sports seats and a smattering of red accents.
Now, wagons aren't everyone's cup of tea, but stay with me on this one. VW has also rolled out the ID.7 GTX Tourer. It's essentially a sportified version of the more civilized ID.7 Tourer. With dual motors churning out a combined 335 horsepower (250 kW) and the surefootedness of all-wheel drive, it's the most powerful wagon VW has ever built. Think of it as a stealthy electric Audi RS6 Avant substitute...on a budget.
It won't win any drag races, though, with a limited top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). But who needs outright speed when you have the flexibility of a wagon, all-wheel-drive grip, and enough oomph to dust most cars off the line? Plus, who cares about top speed when you've got a sporty body and a sleek roofline? Sure, your buddies might scoff at first, but load it up for a weekend away and see who's laughing.
Both models pack upgraded batteries compared to the standard models. The ID.3 GTX gets a 79.0 kWh pack, while the ID.7 GTX gets a bigger 86.0 kWh unit. Fast charging capability? You bet. Hook these babies up to a DC fast-charger and you can go from 10 to 80 percent battery in under 30 minutes. Of course, that's assuming you can actually find one of those chargers.
And what about range? Well, VW claims the ID.3 GTX can go an impressive 373 miles (600 km) on the overly optimistic European WLTP cycle. The ID.7 is a bit thirstier, but VW still says it should eke out a respectable 426-mile (686 km) range. Let's just hope your road trip doesn't involve too many desolate highways.
So, why aren't American customers getting either of these awesome EVs? Who knows! It's a real head-scratcher. Maybe VW thinks Americans still aren't ready for electric hot hatches and wagons. Or maybe they just like to see Americans suffer. Either way, the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer are a tantalizing glimpse into a future where EVs can be as fun as their gas-burning counterparts. Let's hope VW changes its mind...soon, before we all defect to Tesla.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
