Volkswagen entered the electrical sizzling hatch area of interest a couple of yr in the past with the launch of the ID.3 GTX. Nevertheless, it’s now apparently engaged on a fair spicier model carrying a much more iconic badge: GTI. Very like Porsche’s electrical Turbo fashions lack precise turbochargers, the ID.3 Grand Touring Injection will clearly not have gas injectors. And whereas conventional GTIs are front-wheel drive, the ID.3 GTI will likely be rear-wheel drive. A lot for custom.

A brand new report from German journal Auto Motor und Sport claims that the inaugural electrical GTI will obtain a modest energy bump over the GTX. It’s believed the zero-emissions GTI will ship 335 hp, or simply 13 hp greater than the present flagship model. Rumor has it VW’s engineers are planning vital updates to the chassis, steering, and suspension to make the ID.3 GTI extra participating to drive than the GTX.

In response to AMS, the electrical GTI wasn’t a part of the unique plan. Nevertheless, VW is now purportedly giving the ID.3 a second facelift to increase its life cycle. The reasoning behind this choice reportedly stems from the delay of its successor, the ninth-generation, electric-only Golf. Now due close to the top of the last decade, the Golf Mk9’s postponement means the growing older ID.3 will stick round longer than anticipated.

Certainly, the ID.3 debuted again in 2019 and obtained an replace in 2023. To maintain the EV aggressive, a second, extra complete facelift is allegedly set for 2026, coinciding with the launch of the warmer GTI model. This replace will reportedly carry the ID.3’s design and tech extra in step with the smaller ID.2.

Talking of which, the ID.2 GTI idea (pictured under) previewed VW’s first electrical automotive with a GTI badge. Nevertheless, it seems the bigger ID.3 GTI will beat it to market. The usual ID.2 is scheduled to go on sale subsequent yr in Germany with a base value round €25,000, however the GTI model will, after all, value extra. As for the ID.3 GTI, count on it to hold a premium over the present GTX, which begins at simply over €47,000 at house in Deutschland.

A number of different fashions have already obtained the GTX therapy in Europe. The ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer have efficiency variants, and even the ID. Buzz GTX minivan. It stays unclear whether or not the GTX branding will finally be phased out in favor of the GTI title for potent EVs or if it would proceed as a extra reasonably priced different.

We’ll have to attend and see if VW will even put an R badge on its electrical vehicles. If it is decided to launch an EV GTI, presumably with a brand new GTI brand the place the “I” makes means for a lightning bolt, it doubtless does not have an issue introducing an EV R some years from now.