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Volkswagen has already announced that it will replace the Golf with an affordable EV called the ID.2, though it will likely be limited to European markets. But this can't be a true Golf successor without a hotter GTI variant, and luckily VW is well aware of that. The German automaker has taken the wraps off the ID. GTI concept car in Munich, and it serves as a sneak preview of what's to come. The sporty hatchback is set for a 2026 launch at home in Europe, and VW execs say they would like to see the GTI EV come stateside––here's to hoping that wish comes true.
Designers already had the electric GTI in mind when creating the original ID. 2all concept from earlier this year, and as a result there are many shared design cues between the two. The same muscular lines are present, but this time they are decorated with a red and black color scheme, along with plenty of GTI badging. Note that in the electric GTI, Volkswagen says the I stands for 'Intelligence' rather than 'Injection.' The ID. GTI also gets sportier front and rear fascias compared to the plainer ID.2, featuring a black grille, darkened taillights, more aggressive bumpers, and a large rear wing. The concept also rides on large 20-inch wheels that feature an eight-spoke design inspired by the Mk1 GTI.
Measuring 161.6 inches in length, the ID. GTI is sized more like the smaller Polo than today's Golf, though Volkswagen promises that the shortened overhangs and simple electric powertrain will keep passenger space similar to the existing Golf.
The ID. GTI rides on the same MEB Entry platform that will underpin the regular ID.2. It's a simplified version of Volkswagen's current MEB architecture that uses front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. Volkswagen was shy to reveal any power or battery specs, but considering that the everyday ID.2 is said to offer 223 hp in its most powerful guise, the GTI version shouldn't disappoint. As for batteries, the GTI is expected to use the ID.2's larger 56.0 kWh pack. In the non-GTI hatchback, VW claimed it would support speeds of up to 125 kW on a DC fast charger and offer up to 280 miles of range under Europe's WLTP cycle.
We do know that the ID. GTI includes an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, just like the gas-powered GTI models of today, along with a variety of driving modes to control traction. And without a snarling engine under the hood, the ID. GTI turns to earlier models for a variety of simulated soundtracks. The most notable examples include the original Mk1 model from 1976, as well as the 16-valve Mk2 from 1986.
While VW hasn't revealed the interior in full, as the ID. GTI mainly focuses on exterior design and performance upgrades, it did provide a couple renderings. The cabin retains the black and red theme of the exterior, and features a large standalone 12.9-inch infotainment system. Below it lies an array of physical climate controls, which will return to future VWs after the touch-sensitive controls found in the current Golf and electric ID. models drew criticism from buyers. Behind the squircular steering wheel sits a slightly smaller 10.9-inch digital instrument display, which has the cool ability to mimic the design of the Mk2 GTI's analog gauges. The seats also serve as a nod to previous GTI models with their subtle plaid pattern.
While most of the interior will likely carry over to the production GTI, one feature that will likely remain in the concept realm is its full-height head-up display. It projects performance data like lap times across the entirety of the windshield, something that would likely be too distracting to translate into production.
The non-performance Volkswagen ID.2 is expected to begin European deliveries in 2026, with the GTI following it in 2027. They will join the other upcoming MEB Entry models from Skoda and Seat at Volkswagen's plant in Spain. It remains to be seen whether the ID.2 or its GTI counterpart will ever reach the U.S., and while company execs have expressed interest in bringing the model stateside, the waning popularity of small cars in America doesn't make it a guarantee.
Do you like the idea of an electric GTI?
Image Credits: Volkswagen
Revealed
Sep 6, 2023
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An Electric GTI Is Coming, And VW Is Previewing It With The ID. GTI Concept
If it reaches the U.S. market, the battery-powered hot hatch could go on sale in 2027.
Volkswagen has already announced that it will replace the Golf with an affordable EV called the ID.2, though it will likely be limited to European markets. But this can't be a true Golf successor without a hotter GTI variant, and luckily VW is well aware of that. The German automaker has taken the wraps off the ID. GTI concept car in Munich, and it serves as a sneak preview of what's to come. The sporty hatchback is set for a 2026 launch at home in Europe, and VW execs say they would like to see the GTI EV come stateside––here's to hoping that wish comes true.
Designers already had the electric GTI in mind when creating the original ID. 2all concept from earlier this year, and as a result there are many shared design cues between the two. The same muscular lines are present, but this time they are decorated with a red and black color scheme, along with plenty of GTI badging. Note that in the electric GTI, Volkswagen says the I stands for 'Intelligence' rather than 'Injection.' The ID. GTI also gets sportier front and rear fascias compared to the plainer ID.2, featuring a black grille, darkened taillights, more aggressive bumpers, and a large rear wing. The concept also rides on large 20-inch wheels that feature an eight-spoke design inspired by the Mk1 GTI.
Measuring 161.6 inches in length, the ID. GTI is sized more like the smaller Polo than today's Golf, though Volkswagen promises that the shortened overhangs and simple electric powertrain will keep passenger space similar to the existing Golf.
The ID. GTI rides on the same MEB Entry platform that will underpin the regular ID.2. It's a simplified version of Volkswagen's current MEB architecture that uses front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. Volkswagen was shy to reveal any power or battery specs, but considering that the everyday ID.2 is said to offer 223 hp in its most powerful guise, the GTI version shouldn't disappoint. As for batteries, the GTI is expected to use the ID.2's larger 56.0 kWh pack. In the non-GTI hatchback, VW claimed it would support speeds of up to 125 kW on a DC fast charger and offer up to 280 miles of range under Europe's WLTP cycle.
We do know that the ID. GTI includes an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, just like the gas-powered GTI models of today, along with a variety of driving modes to control traction. And without a snarling engine under the hood, the ID. GTI turns to earlier models for a variety of simulated soundtracks. The most notable examples include the original Mk1 model from 1976, as well as the 16-valve Mk2 from 1986.
While VW hasn't revealed the interior in full, as the ID. GTI mainly focuses on exterior design and performance upgrades, it did provide a couple renderings. The cabin retains the black and red theme of the exterior, and features a large standalone 12.9-inch infotainment system. Below it lies an array of physical climate controls, which will return to future VWs after the touch-sensitive controls found in the current Golf and electric ID. models drew criticism from buyers. Behind the squircular steering wheel sits a slightly smaller 10.9-inch digital instrument display, which has the cool ability to mimic the design of the Mk2 GTI's analog gauges. The seats also serve as a nod to previous GTI models with their subtle plaid pattern.
While most of the interior will likely carry over to the production GTI, one feature that will likely remain in the concept realm is its full-height head-up display. It projects performance data like lap times across the entirety of the windshield, something that would likely be too distracting to translate into production.
The non-performance Volkswagen ID.2 is expected to begin European deliveries in 2026, with the GTI following it in 2027. They will join the other upcoming MEB Entry models from Skoda and Seat at Volkswagen's plant in Spain. It remains to be seen whether the ID.2 or its GTI counterpart will ever reach the U.S., and while company execs have expressed interest in bringing the model stateside, the waning popularity of small cars in America doesn't make it a guarantee.
Do you like the idea of an electric GTI?
Image Credits: Volkswagen
