Volkswagen reveals the near-production ID.3 GTI, and I see 2-sides to this coin. 3 sides actually. On one hand, I’m not hating the concept of an electric hot-hatch. But on the other hand, I DO still vigorously hate the fact that carmakers & governments hand-in-hand made a play to force us into EVs… and strip away freedom of choice. I don’t have the memory of a goldfish, and it turns out, that did longterm damage on my perception of EVs.
And the 3rd side of the coin?? It’s doubtful the ID.3 GTI will ever see American dealers. Having said that… American enthusiasts seem interested. Why??
A ~300hp, RWD, electric hot-hatch seems to be movement in the right direction…
If I’m being honest, on at least some level… the Volkswagen ID.3 GTI excites me. 300hp doesn’t seem groundbreaking in today’s stat-driven world. But it’s important to realize – we’re not actually in a horsepower contest, we’re in a connection contest. Drivers want to DRIVE! We yearn for thrills, grins, & an unleashed sense of excitement. Not autonomy. That’s the difference between existing, and living.
A hot-hatch (yes, even an electric one) gives us that chance…
I’m open-minded to the ID.3 GTI, because an EV hot-hatch offers something to rip our errands in… not just run. Something for our daily routine… that breaks the daily routine! And honestly, a raw-natured electric hot-hatch has more intrigue/appeal to me than an internal combustion hot-hatch with an automatic. You feel me there?
3-row SUVs, country club trucks, and Teslas are a spreading cancer over soul, style, and the unique spirit of travel…
Admittedly, most (American) families need a larger family car as a primary vehicle. But that doesn’t mean everyone needs to drive them ALL THE TIME. I believe there’s a wide open lane for an affordable, more exciting, alternate option like the ID.3 GTI. Drive the soccer mom/dad SUV when you’re hauling the entire family, and drive the efficient little ripper during all the space in-between.
But then I quickly realize…
As with every electric vehicle thus far (and new cars in general), 2 things are too high with the ID.3 GTI – the cost & the weight. You can’t have a genuine hot-hatch if it’s heavy. That’s like hiring a fat jockey to run your racehorse. The ID.3 GTI is likely well over 4,000lbs. Game over. That’s not a driver’s car. Granted, it may “feel like one” by modern interpretations… but what you’re probably feeling is software & simulation tricks… you already know.
And then there’s the price…
$50,000 (or anywhere in that vicinity) misses the target yet again. A hot-hatch cannot be $50,000 unless you don’t want to sell many of them OR make a real impact on the market. Like I said at the start: I’m not against the concept of an electric hot-hatch. But is this hot enough? VW’s big comeback happens when they truly get back to farfegnugen.
