By Xolile Hopa

Volkswagen has revealed the first photos and details of its new ID.3 GTI, marking 50 years of the GTI badge with its most powerful production GTI to date. Pre-sales are set to begin in early 2027.

Design

From the side, the ID.3 GTI looks longer and sportier than its predecessor, the ID.3 GTX. That’s partly because the roof, roof spoiler and boot lid, which were previously always black, are now painted in the car’s main colour, giving it a sleeker, more streamlined profile.

It also comes with new 20-inch alloy wheels nicknamed “Wörthersee” after the famous GTI fan meet-up in Austria, along with glossy black mirror caps and side trim.

Buyers can choose from five colours: Tornado Red, Moonstone Grey, Scale Silver, Grenadilla Black and Glacier White. Tornado Red has a special history, as it was one of the original GTI colours dating back to the first Golf GTI.

Interior

Inside, red-and-black styling reflects the car’s GTI heritage. A red stripe runs across the dashboard, while the steering wheel features a red marker at the top. The seats use a tartan-style pattern inspired by those fitted to the very first Golf GTI in 1976.

GTI Mode

Pressing the dedicated GTI button on the steering wheel activates a special driving mode that sharpens the car’s performance by adjusting the motor, steering and suspension for maximum sportiness.

It also unlocks Launch Control for quicker acceleration, switches the interior lighting to red and even plays a simulated engine sound, despite the car having no traditional engine.

Technology and practicality

The ID.3 GTI shares its interior layout with the standard ID.3 Neo, featuring a larger digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch touchscreen.

Optional extras include a panoramic sunroof, massaging seats, a premium Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display.

Power and range

The ID.3 GTI is fully electric, with a motor delivering 240 kW to the rear wheels and 545 Nm of torque. Despite its performance focus, it still offers a driving range of up to 601 km, while Volkswagen says it remains practical for everyday use with plenty of interior space.

A useful new feature allows the car to power or charge other devices, including e-bikes, through an optional adapter, making it well suited to weekend trips.

The car’s driver-assistance systems have also been upgraded and can now detect red traffic lights and automatically bring the car to a stop.