THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE IS A 90S ICON REIMAGINED - EVS REALLY CAN BE COOL AF.
Volkswagen’s turning up the nostalgia and the voltage with the new ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE, a limited-run EV that mixes that good old 90s flair with futuristic performance. Created in collaboration with high-end sportswear brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE, this EV hot hatch pays homage to the cult-classic Golf II Fire and Ice of 1990, right down to the ultra-violet paint, but instead there’s now 545 Nm of torque, a 0–100 km/h time of just 5.7 seconds, and an all-electric range of up to 591 km. Only 1,990 units will be made - we see what you did there, VW. That production number marks the debut year of the Mk2 Fire & Ice original and guarantees instant cult status for this high-voltage throwback. The FIRE+ICE DNA runs deep here. On the outside, the ID.3 GTX gets a bespoke Ultra Violet Metallic finish that’s a direct nod to its 90s ancestor, accented by a contrasting Flaming Red anodised roof strip, C-pillar decals, and a reimagined FIRE+ICE logo on the spoiler. Sitting on 20-inch Locarno wheels with violet-anodised surfaces and red GTX centre caps, the car stands out like a modded showcar. Even the LED taillights have been custom-tinted for the special edition, and when the doors open, light projections cast animated fire and ice graphics onto the ground, because why the hell not?
Under the skin, it’s all cutting-edge kit. Two versions are on offer - 210 kW and 240 kW - both powered by a 79 kWh lithium-ion battery and paired with an electronic sports differential and DCC adaptive chassis control (standard on the higher-output variant). Fast-charging capabilities of up to 185 kW mean you can go from 10% to 80% in just 26 minutes, while the powertrain delivers 545 Nm of instant torque to all the right places. And yes, the sport suspension is standard, no matter which version you choose. This is a proper electric performance hatch, built to do more than just cruise the streets of Sandton. That said, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll ever see these on local shores.
Inside, it’s a head-turner. BOGNER’s design language comes through in the two-tone interior - On Fire Red on the driver’s side, Keep Cool Blue on the passenger’s - split down the centre like a fashion week concept car. The quilted seat patterns mimic the brand’s signature puffer jackets, complete with zip-like details and embroidered FIRE+ICE logos. There’s coloured contrast stitching on everything from the steering wheel to the floor mats, and premium touches abound. A massage function, AR head-up display, and a Harman Kardon sound system are bundled in as part of the Interior Plus package, while the Convenience and Assistance packages bring in dual-zone climate control, navigation, Park Assist Plus, Keyless Access, and ACC. For those old enough to remember, the original Golf II Fire and Ice wasn’t just a styling exercise - it was a full-on cult car. Originally planned for just 10,000 units, it proved so popular that over 16,700 were sold, most of them GTIs. And like its forebear, the new ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE isn't just a showpiece - it’s a genuine performance package wrapped in nostalgia. Martin Sander, VW Board Member for Sales, sums it up best:
“The ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE demonstrates the emotive appeal of our premium sports model, while also carrying a piece of Volkswagen history into the electric future.”
This is more than a special edition, it's a rebooted icon that, while aimed at the new young and upwardly mobile crowd, will likely be bought by fans of the Mk2 who are approaching the 50-year-old mark. A wearable-tech take on the hot hatch, where heritage meets high voltage, and performance meets personality. The 90s are back… and this time, they run silent, fast, and fully electric.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the folks at Volkswagen that clearly shows the inspiration of the iconic Mk2 GTi on this new electric hatchback that's rather freaking rad: 🔥❄️ Built with fire, cooled with ice – driven by both. Introducing the all-new ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE! | Volkswagen News
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