Volkswagen ID.3 GTI joins the Polo GTI as VW rolls out the GTI badge to EVs

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTI arrives to join the new ID. Polo GTI, as VW continues to roll out its GTI badge to EVs.

Volkswagen is trying to undo all the negativity around its early EVs – quality issues, poor ergonomics, and crappy software – not least by addressing the issues with the new ID. 3 Neo and returning its nomenclature, at least in part, to familiar and historic names.

The ID. 3 Neo does address most of the failings with the ID. 3, and the arrival of the ID. Polo does bring back a familiar badge in a decent EV. But what the ID. Polo has also done is revive the ‘GTI’ badge with the arrival of the Polo GTI.

Now, VW has decided that they’re going to drop the ID.3 GTX and replace it with the ID.3 GTI, proclaiming it to be the most powerful GTI ever. Which it is – by just 1bhp over the Golf GTI 50 – with 322bhp, which is the same as the ID.3 GTX Performance. Which all seems a bit pointless; surely it would make more sense to save this for the upcoming VW ID. Golf?

Still, the ID. 3 GTI is here and comes with all the improvements the ID. 3 Neo brought, and puts its 322bhp through the back wheels (a first for a GTI), enough for 0- 62 mph in 5.6 seconds (so not the quickest GTI), and powered by a 79kWh battery promising a range of 372 miles, which you’ll never achieve.

The ‘GTI’ stuff includes a new front end and ‘Worthersee’ alloys, adaptive DCC chassis, progressive steering, Launch Control, ‘GTI Mode’, Sports Seats with ‘Superclark’ tartan pattern, GTI Instruments, much GTI badging and a sports steering wheel.

No prices yet for the ID.3 GTI – which is expected to go on sale in the UK in the early New Year – but we’d expect it to start just under £50k.