Volkswagen ID7 GTX
The rear motor is the primary drive unit, with the front one called upon when needed. If you were wondering, Volkswagen chose to use an asynchronous unit on the front axle because it claims this is more efficient when not being called upon to provide power.
Despite the two motors offering 282bhp and 107bhp respectively, total system output is capped at 335bhp. That's 53bhp more than the standard version of the ID 7 but significantly down on the 460bhp Tesla Model 3 Performance.
Crucially, the modifications made for this GTX model extend beyond simply adding more power than you could sensibly enjoy. The progressive steering has been tuned to offer more feel, with the electronic differential lock system also reworked. There has also been extensive work to broaden the variance in dynamics enabled by the Dynamic Chassis Control (fitted as standard in the UK). Notably, Volkswagen engineers say the big advances have come from developments of the system software.
The other big technical change is in the battery: the 77kWh pack used in the Pro model has been switched for an 86kWh one (also found in the long-range Pro S). It's a different design, with the pack containing 13 cell modules instead of 12. It means that in saloon form, the GTX offers a range of 370 miles.
The exterior styling changes that mark out the GTX from standard versions of the ID 7 are subtle but notable.
There's a new front bumper design exclusive to the performance line, along with revamped daytime running lights and a gloss-black front air intake. The bumper is aerodynamically styled to aid efficiency, while the front-end design now features a light-up VW logo as standard.
At the rear, there's a bespoke horizontal light strip (the rear VW badge illuminates as well) and customisable 3D-effect LED clusters.
On the saloon, the lower area of the rear bumper features a honeycomb grille pattern and there's a notable diffuser.
The GTX sits on 20in wheels as standard, with 21in versions available as an option (and fitted to our test car). There are also custom GTX wheel rim designs.
The GTX is also offered in Tourer estate form, which has an identical footprint and wheelbase to the saloon version but a bulkier rear end to accommodate a usefully larger boot.
The two machines are visually identical at the front and share identical mechanicals, but because of the greater surface area, the Tourer has a reduced – but still substantial – range of 363 miles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
11 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
iPhone 17 release date rumors — this could be the full schedule
Summer's winding down, and that means Apple's big annual keynote is just around the corner, promising exciting new announcements about the iPhone 17 line-up, new Apple Watches, and more. While Apple hasn't revealed the rollout's full schedule yet, the rhythm of iPhone launches feels as predictable as the turning leaves. If history serves, we have a pretty good guess when you'll be able to get your hands on a shiny new iPhone 17. Rumors suggest Apple will unveil its major fall product line-ups on September 9. If history serves, we expect the event to take place at the company's Cupertino campus, where the iPhone 17 series will be revealed. Notably, Apple's rumored to shake up the iPhone lineup this time around by replacing the Plus model with the super-thin iPhone 17 Air. In addition to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, we expect Apple to debut the Apple Watch Series 11 and possibly the Apple Watch Ultra 3. A new version of the AirPods Pro, an updated Apple TV 4K, and the long-awaited smart home hub HomePod 3 could also make an appearance. Apple event announcement date 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET on August 26 iPhone 17 launch event September 9 iPhone 17, Air, and Pro available for pre-order September 12 iOS 26 release date September 15/16 iPhone 17, Air, and Pro on sale September 19 Apple's yet to confirm the keynote's official date, but trusted voices like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Forbes suggest we should hear more on that by Tuesday, August 26. That's also when invites should start rolling out via email to select members of the press. Looking at the time tables of previous iPhone generations, we're likely to see Apple open pre-orders for the iPhone 17 a few days later. Apple tends to roll out pre-orders on the Friday after the initial announcement, with sales going live the Friday after that. So if history serves, the iPhone 17 could go on sale on Friday, September 19. As for iOS 26, the latest update expected to ship with the iPhone 17, that's easy to pin down as well. Last year, Apple pushed out iOS 18 on September 16, exactly one week after its annual keynote and four days before the iPhone 16 series went on sale. If Apple follows the same pattern, we can expect iOS 26 to arrive on either Monday, September 15, or Tuesday, September 16. We don't have long to wait until we learn more. All signs point to Apple's iPhone 17 launch event being just a few short weeks away. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
The Drive
13 hours ago
- The Drive
Even Volkswagen Is Doing Horsepower Subscriptions Now
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Subscriptions are coming for us all, in every aspect of life, and all we can do is avoid them. That just became a little tougher for owners of Volkswagen's smallest EV, the ID.3, in the U.K. See, we're used to hearing about subscriptions for improved performance and creature comforts on luxury cars, but VW's trialing BMW and Mercedes-Benz's greatest hits of consumer-hostile policies and gating an additional 27 horsepower behind a $22.30 monthly payment on the ID.3. Alternatively, owners can shell out $878 to unlock that power permanently, for the life of the vehicle. This news comes courtesy of AutoExpress , and it's alarming for several reasons. First, again, the ID.3 isn't exactly a bargain, starting at the equivalent of $41,770, but it's also no Mercedes EQE. Second, as the article points out, the car is registered at 228 hp stock, which affects insurance rates, even though owners only get 201 hp before subscribing. So, you're paying a penalty on your insurance premium based on power that you can only access if you give Volkswagen yet more money every month. This monthly fee also lifts torque from the standard 195 lb-ft to 228 lb-ft, and VW says that the increase in output doesn't impact range—so at least there's that. The optional software upgrade applies to all trims of the ID.3 except for the speedy GTX variant, which has around 320 horsepower and costs $21,600 more. All told, that's roughly $63K—for VW's smallest EV! And you thought the Golf R was pricey. The more I learn about this thing, the less sad I am that it's not offered in the States. Side note: This is a $63,000 car. Hendryk Meyer/Volkswagen The best outcome we can hope for in these cases is that the outcry against it becomes so loud that VW relents. That's worked to some degree on this side of the pond, with BMW's heated-seat policies. But the retractions don't last forever, and automakers are pretty much set on biding their time until software-locking everything is normalized, and they can get away with all of it. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Car and Driver
13 hours ago
- Car and Driver
1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Camper on Bring a Trailer
The VW "Westy" is a classic 1980s and 1990s camper. This one ditches the cassette tape experience with modern batteries and audio, but keeps the nostalgic charm. It's also quick and reliable enough to go the distance, with modern VW power. While not a cultural icon like the original VW Microbus, the Volkswagen T3 van of the 1980s and 1990s is nonetheless steeped in nostalgia. Especially so the Westfalia camping variant: for many a kid, sleeping in the pop-up roof tent of a Westy is as much a part of childhood camping memories as s'mores and mosquito bites. The only problem is, by 2025 highway standards, a classic Westy is slow enough to be little more than a rolling pylon for traffic to swerve around. But not this one. Bring a Trailer Camping-friendly pick of the day from Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of the Hearst Autos) is a 1990 VW Westfalia with some lovely modern upgrades, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with enough gumption to muster up easy interstate cruising. With a few weeks left for late-summer camping, as well as sunny days left in the shoulder season, it's the ideal machine for some West Coast cruising. Bring your own marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. Let's start with the engine. Early Volkswagen campers of this generation had an air-cooled engine that made even short-range trips take longer than a Grateful Dead concert. By the end of the Vanagon's run in the U.S., the engine was a more modern water-cooled unit, but still never broke the 100-hp mark. This 2.0-liter four-cylinder crate engine is sourced from Foreign Auto Supply (FAS) and is good for approximately 135 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, it should imbue this Westfalia with Golf-like performance. There are faster Vanagons out there–Porsche even swapped a flat-six into a couple of them as testing support vans—but this example should be adequately powered and have good parts availability from any VW dealer. Bring a Trailer Next is updating a 1990s camper van for the modern era. To that end, this Westy has a replacement lithium-ion auxiliary battery with power converters. There's a portable solar panel, and the original 12V fridge has been swapped out for storage, with a much more efficient portable 12V fridge/freezer included. The stereo now works with Apple CarPlay, and the sink has been upgraded. Additionally, the suspension has been treated to new bushings and springs, the canvas top is new, and various seals have been replaced. It's got upgraded headlights, tough-looking front and rear bumpers from specialist Rocky Mountain Westy. You get that vintage Volkswagen camping experience with just enough modern convenience to make it even better than you remember it. Bring a Trailer This Westy is being sold out of Portland, Oregon, and you could hardly do worse than fly out and drive back home, camping all the way. Or head out to the Oregon coastline on vacation, for some of the best coastal camping there is, and pay your respects to The Goonies. A Vanagon Westy might not have the Woodstock vibes of an original 1960s VW, but it's still a magic bus. The auction ends August 21. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
