VW’s First Performance EV To Be Based On The ID 4 SUV Under New GTX Badge

Volkswagen plans to launch a series of performance electric models with the new GTX badge, starting with a souped-up version of the ID 4 SUV.

VW’s technology chief Matthias Rabe confirmed the news to Autocar, saying that choosing the ID 4 as their first performance electric model “makes sense” because it’ll be offered with four-wheel drive, courtesy of its twin-motor setup, unlike the ID 3 which will stick to a single-motor, rear-drive form.

Also Read: VW ID 4 Looks Virtually Production Ready, Will Be Launched In Europe Later This Year

Rabe declined to comment on the use of the GTX badge in the “hot” ID 4 however, but said that these faster electric models would appeal to a different customer base than their traditional GTI clientele.

“At the moment, we need four-wheel drive for the performance version,” said Rabe. “I drove a component test car [for the ID 4 GTX] recently; you get fantastic response and can make fantastic drifts. It’s easy to control and will do exactly what you say.”

Base variants of the VW ID 4 will employ a single rear-mounted electric motor and rear-wheel drive, featuring up to 201 HP and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, while the more expensive derivatives will feature a front-mounted motor that lifts the combined output to 302 HP and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. Just like the ID 3, the upcoming VW ID 4 will be offered with different battery sizes, the largest of which will offer a driving range of up to 310 miles (500 km).

“With electrification, we will see some other possibilities for compact sporty cars. In the ID family for sure we will see some sporty versions, but in a different way,” Rabe added.

The upcoming VW ID 4 SUV will be followed by its coupe version, dubbed the ID 5, which will also receive the GTX treatment. But what about the ID 3? Well, the VW executive didn’t rule out the possibility of a ID 3 GTX hot hatch, adding that it would “make a fantastic sports car”.