With the ID.3 GTX Performance Fire+Ice (What a long name…) Volkswagen is not only launching a particularly powerful version of its compact electric vehicle, but also referencing one of the brand's most iconic design lines. The Fire+Ice Edition is a clear homage to the legendary Golf 2 Fire+Ice from the 1990s and combines sporty performance with striking design and modern technology. We've thoroughly tested the ID.3 GTX Performance Fire+Ice for you.
tl;dr: A tribute as it should be.
The VW ID.3 Performance GTX Fire+Ice combines powerful electric torque with iconic design. 326 hp rear-wheel drive, good range, and noticeably improved quality make it the most emotionally engaging ID.3 yet. Sporty enough for enthusiasts, yet practical for everyday use.
Video report:
Design and first impression: Quite colorful.
The ID.3 GTX Performance Fire+Ice immediately stands out from the rest of the ID portfolio. Its exclusive paintwork plays with cool blue and violet tones as well as warm accents, depending on the light, ensuring high visibility wherever you go. The look is complemented by special 20-inch GTX wheels, aptly named "Locarno" in reference to the annual ID. meeting held in the city of the same name, as well as darkened details and subtle Fire+Ice lettering.
The LED light signature with GTX daytime running lights and illuminated front strip looks modern and high-quality, especially in the dark; unfortunately, the illuminated VW logo is still missing at the front and rear. Overall, however, the ID.3 GTX Performance Fire+Ice conveys significantly more sportiness and individuality than the familiar production models. At 4,26 meters long and 1,81 meters wide (excluding mirrors), it has become a true hatchback with sporty styling.
Interior and workmanship: Finally back to the familiar VW quality?
Inside, Volkswagen continues the Fire+Ice theme consistently. The sport seats pick up on the color scheme and offer good lateral support without sacrificing comfort. There's even a pretty good massage function. GTX logos, contrasting stitching, and exclusive trim elements ensure a distinctive look. Not like a 1:1 copy of the original Fire+Ice Golf 2.
The material quality has noticeably improved compared to earlier ID.3 models. The main contact surfaces feel premium, and the overall workmanship appears significantly more solid. Space remains typical of the ID.3: generous in the front and sufficient in the rear, even for adults. Unfortunately, they haven't skimped on the piano black trim. This rather delicate material is still present in the usual places, and even on our test vehicle, which had only 3.000 kilometers on the odometer, it was heavily scratched.
The boot offers a volume of approximately 385 liters, making it perfectly suitable for everyday use. With the seats folded down, the ID.3 offers even more space in every version. 1.267 liters in terms of storage volume.
Sound system: Finally, more BUZZ!
You definitely can't go wrong with the Harman Kardon sound system in the ID.3. Anyone who doesn't want to miss out on the subwoofer and the bass it delivers can look forward to a well-balanced and well-rounded overall package.
Infotainment and assistance: As usual, pretty good.
A key component is the large touchscreen display with the latest VW software. Operation is smooth, the menu navigation is logically structured, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functioned reliably in testing. The display measures 13 inches, which is even larger than in the previous ID.3 from 2022.
The digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel clearly displays all relevant information. An optional head-up display with augmented reality navigation is available, projecting turn-by-turn directions directly into the driver's field of vision. proIt's been injected. A new demo version illustrates the instructions very practically.
The driver assistance systems include everything you'd expect: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, travel assist, parking assist, and traffic sign recognition. These work very well, as usual, although the sign recognition could rely less on map data, which doesn't always match the current situation. Unfortunately, Volkswagen still doesn't offer a digital vehicle key integrated with Apple or Google Wallet.
Volkswagen App: Faster than before.
During our test, we were also able to use the Volkswagen app almost daily to preheat the vehicle. The functions are straightforward. In addition to remote preheating/precooling, you can view the current range, charge level, and any error messages. The app's map feature allows you to send destinations directly from Google Maps to the car.
The app is somewhat faster compared to my ID.3 from 2022, in terms of sending and ultimately executing commands to the car.
Driving dynamics and handling: Sporty and fun.
The electric motor (APP550) on the rear axle delivers 240 kW, equivalent to 326 hp. This makes the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice the most powerful ID.3 to date. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.6 seconds and is electronically limited to 200 km/h.
The acceleration from a standstill and during overtaking maneuvers is particularly impressive. The power delivery is immediate and linear, typical of electric vehicles, but with a significantly sportier tuning.
Thanks to rear-wheel drive, the handling remains balanced. The sport suspension with dynamically adjustable dampers is firmer than in standard ID.3 models, yet provides plenty of stability and control. If desired, this can be customized to individual preferences in the Individual Driving Mode. In corners, the ID.3 feels surprisingly agile; the steering is direct and precise, just as you would expect from a sporty Volkswagen.
Range and charging: Battery heating finally here!
The 79 kWh battery provides a realistic everyday range of approximately 400 to 430 km. In mixed driving conditions, consumption review ranged between 18 and 20 kWh. pro 100 km. Keep in mind, this is in winter temperatures. On the motorway at a constant 130 km/h, the range is reduced to around 350 km. Charging is possible at up to 175 kW at DC fast charging stations. Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes about 27 minutes. AC charging is standard at 11 kW.
All in all, these are quite good figures for a car in the Golf segment. With the manual and automatic battery preheating function, which is standard on all new VW models, fast charging works very well even in cold temperatures.
Despite its sporty design, the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice remains perfectly suitable for everyday use. The increased performance ensures relaxed driving in any situation. At the same time, consumption is easily controlled with moderate driving. In summer, significantly better consumption figures of an average of 15-16 kWh per 100 kilometers should be achievable.
The sound insulation is excellent; wind and road noise remain pleasantly quiet. The firmer suspension is noticeable but not bothersome, and comfortable enough even on longer journeys. The driver assistance systems operate discreetly in the background and are generally not very intrusive.
Price and positioning
The ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice is priced at the upper end of the series. Depending on the configuration, it costs around €55.000 (including 19% VAT). For this price, you get an exclusive design, powerful performance, and extensive standard equipment.
Compared to its competitors, the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice offers a successful blend of emotional performance and everyday usability. And thanks to its limited production run of 1990 units across Europe, it also has a bit of collector's value.
