Volkswagen has given the ID.4 electric SUV a 91 hp power boost and resurrected an old badge for its sportiest ID model yet. The 295hp ID.4 GTX sits above the 201 hp ID.4 that’s just arrived in showrooms, and can sprint from zero to 62mph more than 2 seconds faster.
This extra punch hasn’t come from simply up-sizing the rear motor. While the standard ID.4 gets by with a single 201 hp motor driving the rear wheels, the GTX gets the same setup, but adds a second motor to the front axle for a total of 295hp (Volkswagen doesn’t specify a torque figure). In addition to dropping the 62mph time from 8.5 seconds to 6.2 seconds, VW has also raised the electronic speed limiter from 99mph to 112mph.
Neither of those figures is going to give a Golf R sleepless nights, but they do instantly answer one of our biggest ID.4 gripes: it’s big on sensible, but short on sizzle next to rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y.
Entry-level ID.4s in some markets get a 58 kWh battery, but the GTX comes with the 77 kWh pack that’s fitted to all ID.4s sold in North America. While the standard ID.4 is rated at 310 miles on the European WLTP cycle (250 miles EPA), the heavier – though again, VW doesn’t say by how much – GTX can only managed 298 miles.
Driven: VW ID.4 Is Here To Give Tesla Something To Think About
The GTX still charges at the same 125 kW rate as the standard 201 hp car, which isn’t as fast as some of the most advanced electric cars like the Porsche Taycan or Hyundai’s new Ioniq 5. But VW says it’s still speedy enough to add 186 driving miles in around 30 minutes.
Does the GTX badge sound familiar? VW has used it before on various models in different markets over the last 40 years, including the Mk2 Scirocco coupe. From now on it will be used only on sporty versions of VW’s ID electric cars, but maybe not the outright sportiest: we hear Volkswagen could be working on an ID.4 R.
The GTX gets VW’s IQ.Light LED Matrix headlights as standard, plus a gloss black spoiler and intake grilles. Inside, it sets itself apart with 30-color interior ambient lighting, red stitching and a heated steering wheel. It also rolls on 20-inch wheels as standard, but can be upgraded to 21s.
Sporty, But Not As Standard
But we’d suggest you consider ticking some other options while you’re there selecting the bigger rims. It appears that an un-optioned GTX is stuck with the same slow steering ratio and comfort-biased suspension used on the base car. But go for the Sports package and you get 15mm lower suspension and progressive steering, whose ratio gets faster the more lock you apply, just like on a Golf GTi. Want the extra poise but worried about ruining the ride comfort? Sports Plus adds DCC adaptive dampers.
US and UK prices for the ID.4 GTX haven’t been revealed, but in Germany it costs €50,415 ($60,623) before government grants, making it around €6000 ($7200) more expensive than the Pro, the most affordable single-motor ID.4 fitted with the 77 kWh battery pack.
