THE Golf GTi of electric cars has arrived in the shape of Volkswagen's first battery powered hot hatch.

With a 0-60mph sprint time of less than 6.2 seconds, the standing start acceleration of the new ID.4 GTX is an exact match for the Golf GTi two litre DSG - but it achieves that without doing any serious damage to the planet.

The zero-emission ID.4 GTX has electric drive motors on both the front and rear axles which together deliver a maximum electrical output of 299 hp and can work together as electric all-wheel drive - a first for Volkswagen's electrified ID brand.

While top speed is electronically limited to 111mph, the powertrain's massive torque makes this newcomer a star sprinter, accelerating from standstill to 37mph in a mere 3.2 seconds.

Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter describes the GTX as: "The most emotional member of the ID. family to date," and says that the newcomer "shows that electric mobility and top sporty performance are not mutually exclusive."

When it is launched in Germany in the summer it will cost from around £43,850 with customers there being able to apply for a government grant of more than £6,500.

There are no details as yet of when, or even if, this hot new electric hatchback will come to the UK nor what it will cost here - but, following the Government's recent cuts in the plug-in car grant and eligibility - which is now restricted to models costing less than £35k - buyers here will have to pay the full asking price.