Volkswagen is planning to introduce its sportier ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX electric vehicles to Australia as the German brand continues to ramp up its local EV plans.
The GTX badge is the equivalent of VW’s GTI badge used for its petrol Polo and Golf hot-hatches.
The ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX both feature the same 77kWh battery with dual motors producing 220kW and 460Nm, making them the fastest variants in the respective SUV and coupe SUV ranges.
The ID.4 GTX accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.2 seconds, with the ID.5 GTX fractionally slower at 6.3 seconds. Top speeds are electronically limited to 180km/h.
This compares with 6.9 seconds for the fastest all-wheel-drive version of the regular ID.4, the Pro 4Motion, while rear-wheel-drive, single motor ID.4s range from 10.9 to 9.0 seconds.
The ID.4 GTX has a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 500 kilometres, nine kilometres extra over the ID.5 GTX.
Each comes with 175kW fast-charging capability.
They also come standard with VW’s Vehicle Dynamics Manager system, which helps optimise electromechanical chassis functions – including the brakes, electronic ‘diff’ lock, all-wheel-drive distribution, and the optional adaptive dampers if fitted.
“GTI and R models are among the most popular as a proportion of Golf sales in Australia, so naturally we are very interested in the [ID] GTX models,” said Volkswagen Australia spokesperson Dan DeGasperi.
“We have seen interest surge in EVs and are therefore putting our hand up for as many relevant variants as we can get. We’re confident if they don’t arrive at launch with the regular ID.4 and ID.5, they will follow shortly after.”
VW Australia is hoping to secure supply of the regular ID.4 and ID.5 for 2023.
Two regular versions of the VW ID.4 electric SUV have arrived in Australia this week for evaluation.
VW Australia has already confirmed it is looking to import the ID.4 and ID.5 from next year. The smaller ID.3 electric hatchback is also planned but the company is waiting for the facelifted model.
COMMENTS