New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI revealed with 326PS and 373-mile range

• Available to order in early 2027, prices confirmed closer to the on sale date

• GTI trim features 20-inch wheels, DCC and launch control

• Tops the new ID.3 Neo range and replaces GTX trim

• Rivals smaller Alpine A290 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The new Volkswagen ID.3 GTI has been revealed as the most powerful GTI yet, with 326PS, rear-wheel drive and a claimed range of up to 373 miles. It replaces the outgoing ID.3 GTX at the top of the new ID.3 Neo range and will be available to order from early 2027.

Despite swapping petrol power for electricity, Volkswagen says the ID.3 GTI follows the familiar GTI formula of combining performance with everyday usability. It gets an adaptive DCC sports chassis, progressive steering, launch control and a dedicated GTI driving mode, while its 79kWh battery provides the 373-mile maximum range.

With 545Nm of torque, the ID.3 GTI can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, while its top speed is limited to 124mph. Prices will be announced closer to its UK on-sale date.

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI price and release date

Buyers for the ID.3 GTI will need to wait until next year to put in their order, but VW has confirmed a host of details about its new electric hot hatch. Its 326PS motor makes it the most powerful road car VW has sold with a GTI badge by just 1PS, taking it past the VW Golf GTI Edition 50.

However, of more importance is the EV’s torque at 545Nm, which beats the Golf’s 420Nm and should make for impressive real-world performance. The ID.3 GTI also gets a GTI mode which puts the car’s power delivery, progressive steering and DCC into their most aggressive settings, and activates launch control for 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.

Aside from the performance upgrade, the GTI makeover includes GTI badges, honeycomb mesh grilles and the iconic red stripe inspired by the original grille of the Golf GTI of 1976, which runs between the headlights.

New 20-inch Wörthersee alloys feature, named after the famous GTI meet in Austria. Buyers will get the choice of classic GTI silver, black, white and Tornado red colours - the latter being the quintessential GTI colour.

Inside, there are more GTI badges, red stripes and a new Superclark pattern on the seats which recalls the tartan check pattern of the original Golf GTI. As it’s based on the new ID.3 Neo, all that car's options, including its panoramic roof, massaging front seats and upgraded stereo, are available on the GTI.

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI rivals and used alternatives

When it arrives next year, the ID.3 GTI won’t have many direct rivals to face. However, for those looking for an electric car that provides a decent drive, there’s the front-wheel drive Alpine A290.

Smaller and less powerful than the VW it may be, the Alpine offers a cool, retro design and nice drive, just with less of the GTI’s famed everyday practicality and performance mix. Above the ID.3 is the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, which features a fantastic 650PS all-wheel drive powertrain, but, at over £65,000, is likely to cost significantly more than the ID.3 GTI.