The 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX will likely be one of the most hotly anticipated new hot hatches of the year when it debuts in about seven month and our spy snappers have just spotted a pair of prototypes wearing most of their production-spec trimmings.
Still understated and unassuming, the near-production development vehicles were spotted deep in the arctic circle undergoing winter testing and, while the white paint job gives us a better look at the now-undisguised body, there isn’t actually all that much new to report.
It’s clear the hotter GTX performance version of the Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatch will be something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing when it launches globally next year, given there are no mammoth wings, intakes, side skirts, angry wheels or frowning light signatures.
Instead, there are only a few subtle hints at the expected 220kW/460Nm outputs and resulting performance on offer, including a black honeycomb grille mesh, lower ride height, bigger wheels and uprated braking package.
This is fair step away from the Golf GTI and Golf R which, to car fans at least, are easy to spot due to their more intense exterior designs, even if they’re less gregarious than most rivals.
Indeed, the flagship ID.3 variant is expected to split Volkswagen’s established combustion-powered hot hatches in terms of performance, with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of less than six seconds thanks to generous outputs and all-paw grip.
The GTX will serve as the Volkswagen’s premier sporty EV for a while, positioned above the rear-drive but related Cupra Born and offering more performance than the heavier VW ID.5 GTX mid-size electric SUV.
Given the standard VW ID.3 isn’t due on sale in Australia until mid-2024, alongside standard and GTX versions of the ID.4 and ID.5 medium SUVs, it would be reasonable to expect the ID.3 GTX here by early 2025 – for similar money to the established Golf R hero.
Image source: Automedia