Major car brand ‘to launch EV version' of popular model next year – and it will be faster than its flagship vehicle
Volkswagen is reportedly preparing to unveil an electric GTI hot hatch, based on its ID.3 model, with a launch expected in 2026, according to
Advertisement
5
The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge
Credit: Getty
5
The ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model
Credit: Supplied
5
This electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive
Credit: Photo by Paddy McGrath
This comes after the German manufacturer first stepped into the electric hot hatch space last year with the ID.3 GTX.
The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge, though it won't have the fuel injectors that gave the original its name.
And unlike traditional GTIs, which have front-wheel drive, this electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive.
According to Auto Motor and Sport, the ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model.
Advertisement
Read more on Motors
VW is also said to be working on major upgrades to the chassis, steering, and suspension to give drivers a more exciting and responsive experience behind the wheel.
Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan.
But with delays to the next-generation electric Golf, now expected near the end of the decade, the
This update is set to bring the ID.3's design and technology closer to the upcoming ID.2 range.
Advertisement
Most read in Motors
Latest
The ID.3 first launched in 2019 and saw a refresh in 2023.
Inside the Volkswagen ID
With the latest facelift, expected in 2026, the ID.3 GTI will take centre stage as VW's new electric performance star.
VW has already shown off the ID. GTI concept, which previews the company's first electric car to wear the iconic badge.
However, the larger ID.3 GTI now looks likely to beat it to showrooms.
Advertisement
Pricing details are still under wraps, but in Germany, the current ID.3 GTX starts at just over €47,000, while the upcoming ID.2 will launch from around €25,000.
Naturally, the GTI versions will carry a premium.
Several other VW electric models have already received the GTX badge, including the ID.7 saloon, ID.7 Tourer estate, and even the ID.Buzz GTX minivan.
It's still unclear whether Volkswagen plans to eventually replace GTX with the more recognisable GTI name across its electric range.
Advertisement
There's also speculation that an electric R-badged model could follow.
And with rumours that VW may redesign the GTI logo to feature a lightning bolt in place of the 'I,' the brand's electric future is certainly shaping up to be electrifying.
5
Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan
Credit: Volkswagen AG
5
The ID.3 first launched in 2019 and saw a refresh in 2023
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Queen Elizabeth II's luxury helicopter as it goes on sale for staggering 7-figure sum
THE plush interior of Queen Elizabeth II's luxury helicopter is revealed for the first time as it goes on sale. King Charles is flogging the trusty eight-seater red Advertisement 5 Queen Elizabeth II's luxury helicopter is going on sale Credit: Getty 5 The plush interior of the Queen's chopper is revealed for the first time as it goes on sale Credit: Bav Media 5 King Charles is flogging the trusty eight-seater red Sikorsky and replacing it with two £8.5million eco-friendly Leonardo choppers Credit: Bav Media 5 The late monarch's copter is expected to fetch at least £5million Credit: Getty Exclusive pictures, the first of its interior, show comfy grey leather and suede seats and a royal blue carpet. Tinted windows, magazine racks, a cordless phone and a wooden clock are among the other extras. The chopper, which has flown 5,222 hours, was described as a 'Head of State Aircraft' with 'one owner since new' when listed for sale by Aero Asset. It was part of Advertisement Read More on Royals Her Majesty made countless trips in it, although royal experts claim she feared flying. One was from Meanwhile, her customised The supercharged L322 she used between 2006 and 2008 has modifications including side steps, rear grab handles and a dog guard for her Advertisement Most read in Royals It has done just under 120,000 miles and is tipped to sell for up to £70,000 at Iconic Auctioneers, of Ashorne, Warks. Most iconic moments of the last 20 years revealed - from the King's coronation to the late Queen's helicopter parachute 5 Her Majesty's customised Range Rover is also for sale and is tipped to sell for up to £70,000
Irish Examiner
16 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Tesla sales surge 32% in Munster but slide in Dublin
Sales of Elon Musk's Tesla brand were down 8% last month but are up 32% in Munster, new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) show. Overall, Tesla sales are down 4.4% for the year with 1,719 vehicles sold this year. The brand has enjoyed strong sales in Munster, up 32% so far this year, with the brand selling 219 cars in Cork alone, and notable sales hikes in Limerick (up 67%), and Tipperary (up 78%). This contrasts with sales in the biggest market in Ireland, Dublin, where sales of Mr Musk's brand are down 14%. Tesla sales have dropped by over a third in Europe in the first six months of the year. Registrations fell 86% year-on-year in July in Sweden, 52% in Denmark, 27% in France and 62% in the Netherlands, but Norway and Spain bucked the trend, with Tesla's registrations up 83% and 27% respectively. Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) were up 33% last month, with overall new car registrations up 4.3%, Simi data shows. New car registrations for July were up 4.3% (26,787) compared to July 2024 (25,676). Registrations year to date are up 3.7% (108,531) on the same period last year (104,655). The top selling new car last month was the Hyandai Tucson. The top five selling car brands were Toyota, followed by Volkswagen, Hyandai, Skoda, and Kia. In July 4,913 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 57% higher than the 3,129 registrations in July 2024. So far this year, 18,542 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 33.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 13,866 electric cars were registered. "Notably, this means that we have surpassed the 175,000 EV target (battery electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle combined) for 2025 contained in the Government's Climate Action Plan," said Simi director general Brian Cooke. "This important landmark on the road to electrification could not have been achieved without the significant levels of Government incentives. If we want to continue this momentum, these supports must be maintained and extended well beyond the end of this year." The top selling electric car in Ireland in July was the Volkswagen ID4. The top selling electric brands were Volkswagen, Kia, Hyandai, Tesla, and Skoda. In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.90%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.72%, Diesel at 17.13%, Electric at 17.08%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.71%. Imported Used Cars have seen a 16.8% (6,803) rise in July 2025, when compared to July 2024 (5,825). Year to date imports are up 9.4% (40,698) on 2024 (37,195). New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCVs) sales increased by 22.8% (6,133) compared to July last year (4,995). Year to date LCVs are down 0.9% (24,945). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are down 18.8% (380) compared to July 2024 (468). Year to date, HGVs are down 11.3% (2,028). "Light Commercial Vehicle sales, which had been disappointing during Q1, have bounced back since then," said Mr Cooke. "The mixed results and market fluctuations in the commercial sector reflect the current economic and political uncertainty.'
Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Irish Times
EVs accounted for 25% of new car sales in Wicklow in July but it was just 10% in Mayo
All- electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 34 per cent of the new cars registered in July, making them the most popular powertrains for 252 registrations. Sales of EVs and PHEVs are ahead of petrol versions on 26 per cent of the market, and diesels on 17 per cent. Conventional (non-plug-in) hybrids had a 22.5 per cent share. Overall, 26,787 new 252-registration cars were registered last month, up 4.3 per cent on July 2024. For the year to date, registrations total 108,531, an increase of 3.7 per cent. While EVs account for 17 per cent of the market, popularity varies sharply across the State. In Wicklow, they hold a 25 per cent market share – the county's best-selling type of car – but in Mayo it's just 10.3 per cent. Shares are 11.5 per cent in Donegal, 9.7 per cent in Roscommon and under 9 per cent in Leitrim. READ MORE The rental market has yet to embrace electric: of 10,530 new hire cars registered this year, just 20 were EVs. [ EV owners have their say: 'After five years of EV ownership, we will switch back to petrol or diesel' Opens in new window ] Toyota leads the 2025 market with 15,288 sales, ahead of Volkswagen (12,722), Hyundai (10,619) and Škoda (10,367). The top-selling model remains Hyundai's Tucson (4,220), followed by Toyota's Yaris Cross (3,171), Škoda's Octavia (3,115) and Toyota's RAV4 (3,072). In the EV segment, Volkswagen tops the chart with 2,690 sales, ahead of Kia (2,338), Hyundai (2,171) and Tesla (1,719). The most popular EV models are the VW ID.4, Kia EV3 and Tesla Model 3. Among the Chinese brands, BYD leads with 1,952 registrations. While the reborn MG brand – now under Chinese control – has 1,240, there's a big gap between these and the next new Chinese brand, Xpeng, with just 117 registrations. At the premium and luxury end of the market, BMW leads with 4,222 registrations, just ahead of Audi with 4,060. Mercedes-Benz has 2,650, Volvo has 1,716, and Lexus 1,120. Jaguar has registered just six new cars so far in 2025. In a sign of the dominance of SUVs in all segments of the Irish market, BMW's best-selling model is the X5 with 780 registrations, three times as many as the once-dominant 3 Series. BMW also sold 129 of its high-performance M5s this year, while Porsche recorded 22 sales for its 911, bringing its overall new car sales this year to 362 and putting it ahead of brands like Jeep, Smart, DS, Polestar and Alfa Romeo and just three car sales short of Honda. In the commercial vehicle market, often a barometer for economic activity in the State, van sales are static, down less than 1 per cent at 24,945 so far this year. However, sales of heavy goods vehicles are down 16.5 per cent to 2,349.
