VW this weekend surprised us all with the pre-emptive reveal of the new all-electric ID. GTI Concept, which will be showcased at this week’s IAA Mobility Show in Germany.
The futuristic-looking concept car gives fans their first “concrete insight into how Volkswagen will transport the iconic GTI label into the electric future,” said the company.
The news comes around five months after the German automaker’s CEO, Thomas Schafer, announced that the eighth generation of the world-famous Golf which is scheduled to be on the market until 2027 will probably be the last.
The hatchback’s internal combustion engine (ICE) won’t abide by the strict emissions regulations that are set to take effect in Europe in the mid-2030s without significant and costly changes, so unless “the world develops totally differently by 2026 or 2027 than expected”, a ninth-generation ICE Golf is not on the cards, said the CEO.
He also said VW could consider an electric Golf with new technology as early as 2028, but it would need to carry key features that distinguish it from the ID.3 – the brand’s current Golf-sized electric hatchback – a task that is easier said than done.
Now with the unveiling of the ID. GTI Concept, it’s looking more likely than ever that the Golf is on its way out after a nearly 50-year tenure in the global VW catalogue.
I for Intelligence
Drawing inspiration from the very first Golf GTI from 1976, the ID. GTI Concept is built upon VW’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform and features the hallmark design cues of its forebears.
This takes the form of a GTI grille with red surrounds, a dynamic silhouette accentuated by a roof spoiler and sizeable 20-inch alloy wheels, and sporty bumpers and LED light fixtures.
The electric vehicle (EV) then comes in at 4,104mm long, 1,840mm wide, and 1,499mm tall – making it ever-so-slightly shorter than the Golf GTI, but simultaneously wider and taller – resulting in a storage volume of between 490 and 1,330 litres.
The cabin of the ID. GTI Concept was similarly shaped by that of the original Golf GTI, signified by a three-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated 12 o’clock marker and an airbag that is located slightly lower down to create a “visual bridge to the impact absorber in the Golf GTI I,” said VW.
In addition, the golf ball-style gear shifter of old was reenvisioned into a golf ball design for the GTI Experience Controller in the concept car, which is used to interact with the central control hub.
Keeping with the theme of the 1970s hot hatch, the ID. GTI Concept is also equipped with “Jack-e fabric” Sports seats with a chequered pattern, while the driver’s seat features a red pulsating LED element named the “GTI Heartbeat”.
When the car is locked, GTI Heartbeat signals to the driver that the anti-theft system is active and that the vehicle is secure.
Naturally, the new-age EV’s cabin will be generously seasoned with futuristic abilities, including a new heads-up display (HUD) and what’s called the “GTI mode.”
The augmented reality HUD projects a spectrum of data onto the windscreen not just for the driver, but also for the front passenger.
In standard drive mode, this includes information such as the current driving speed and remaining range, but in GTI mode, the background turns red and it shows data points such as race track layouts, lap times, and the driver’s positioning during a race.
Moreover, the production-ready ID. GTI will feature a large 12.9-inch infotainment system, a fully-digital instrument cluster with various themes, and a wireless smartphone charger.
Unfortunately, no performance data for the ID. GTI Concept has been released thus far. VW has only confirmed that the production model, like the Golf, will be front-wheel drive.
The provided illustrations, however, hint that the EV will also have a “Turbo” mode that will likely boost performance for a limited time similar to comparable settings in other high-performance EVs currently on the market, and a range of at least 350km, but this remains subject to confirmation.
Signifying the electric evolution, the “I” in GTI no longer stands for “Injection”, now, it stands for “Intelligence”, as the hot hatch offers the “most intelligent solutions in the sports car world,” said its makers.
11 electric VWs in the pipeline
In the pursuit of reducing its environmental impact and gaining a foothold in the budding EV market, VW has committed to launching 11 new all-electric models by 2027, from the compact ID. 2All with a starting price of under €25,000 (R500,000) through to a flagship family saloon like the ID. 7 with over 700km of range.
Pre-sales of the ID. 7 already kicked off in the European market last week, the ID. 2All is scheduled to go on sale in 2025, and the athletic ID. GTI is set to hit the roads in 2027.
Alongside these EVs, the manufacturer also said it will continue to offer efficient ICE versions of its core models including the Golf, T-Roc, Passat, and Tiguan, as well as plug-in hybrid versions of the latter two.
By 2033 at the latest, VW will only sell EVs in Europe, however, its new-energy approach in countries where emissions regulations are more lax will be determined by market demands.
VW ID. GTI Concept
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