Volkswagen ID.4 GTX revealed as brand’s first performance EV

KUALA LUMPUR: In a virtual event held at Berlin Tempelhof Airport, the German auto giant Volkswagen introduced us to its first fully-electric high-performance model, the ID.4 GTX. The action-packed demonstration of the dual-motor all-wheel-drive SUV revealed its capabilities as it climbed up 37.5-degree inclined sweeping mountain roads.

The GTX is basically a badge that denotes Volkswagen fast EVs and the ID.4 GTX is the first member of the family, which is a performance-oriented variant of the ID.4 electric SUV. 

The significant difference between the standard SUV and the GTX is the addition of a second motor in the latter that boosted its performance critically. With a single motor, the SUV has a total output figure of 201 horsepower, while the dual-motor AWD setup increased it to 295 hp. Furthermore, the 0-100 kmph sprint time reduced from 8.5 seconds to 6.2 seconds, while the electronic speed limiter raised from 99 mph to 112 mph.

VW explains that the rear motor of the performance GTX is of permanent magnet type while the front one is an asynchronous motor. About the battery pack, it confirmed that it gets the same size as the standard ID.4 i.e. 77 kWh.

“Electric driving is simply great fun – and with the ID.4 GTX we are adding a new dimension of sportiness and dynamics,” explained Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen Brand. “The most emotional member of the ID. family to date shows that electric mobility and top sporty performance are not mutually exclusive.”

Design-wise, it gets sportier tweaks inside and out. The front fascia features three honeycomb DRLs on each side of the bumper, new headlights, and a high-gloss air intake grille. Added to the unique look are 20-inch exclusive alloys, new tail lights, high-gloss anthracite roof frame bar, and ‘GTX’ badge on the wing and tailgate.

Inside the ID.4 GTX, there are blue leatherette trims and red accent stitching all around. The GTX badge can be found on the front seat backrests, steering wheel, and sill panel trims. Added to the standard features list is an augmented reality head-up display and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre.

The all-new Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is set to go on sale in Europe this summer. In Germany, it fetched a price sticker of 50,415 euros (RM 250,642).

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