The battery-electric Volkswagen ID.GTI is three years away. We’re speaking concerning the scorching hatch that shall be based mostly on the approaching ID.2all supermini stated to reach in 2025, the automaker concentrating on a value round 25,000 euros ($27,544 U.S.). Andreas Mindt, VW’s head of design, posted a sketch of the ID.GTI alongside the classic GTI with the caption, “The Golf GTI was first unveiled at the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show with a production run of 5000 units. To date, we have sold more than 2.8 million. In 2026, we will introduce an electric version of this iconic model.” That is doubtless for a debut, nevertheless. As for when it goes available on the market, model CEO Thomas Schäfer informed Autocar the ID.GTI will not come to market till early 2027, roughly priced someplace round 30,000 euros ($33,029 U.S.).
VW hasn’t stated a phrase about U.S. availability. The specs aren’t far off one thing we may see coming this fashion, and higher than some new choices available in the market now or quickly. The idea’s size of 160.4 inches and wheelbase of 100.7 are nearly similar to the VW Polo GTI offered in Europe and elsewhere — however by no means offered right here — though it is truly 1.4 inches taller than the Golf-based GTI offered right here. Cargo house is equally a little bit smaller than the Golf GTI at 17.3 cubic-feet versus 19.9. There’s a little bit extra space general, maybe on account of its better peak, at 47 cubic ft with the again seat folded. The VW R&D staff is already behind the wheel of a drivable prototype, staff lead Kai Grunitz telling Autocar the prototype is a tiny bit smaller than the present automobile. If the prototype had been 160 inches lengthy, that is 8.8 inches shorter than a 2023 VW GTI, 3.2 inches shorter than a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt. However, that is 15 inches longer than the 2024 Fiat 500e.
As for vary, the usual ID.2all is anticipated to supply two batteries of both 38 kWh or 56 kWh, the bigger one returning a predicted vary of 280 miles on Europe’s WLTP cycle. For instance that is 240 miles within the U.S., a distance we would anticipate to some due to the ID.GTI’s extra highly effective motors. That would put the ID.GTI just a few dozen clicks down on the Bolt’s 259 miles, however nonetheless past the 149-mile vary of the 500e and the bottom Nissan Leaf S. The ID.GTI is sounding extra like a foil for the approaching 2025 Mini Cooper SE John Cooper Works, which is rated at 250 miles of vary from its 54.2-kWh battery on the European cycle, may land within the mid-$30,000s for MSRP, and would even be roughly 12 inches shorter than the ID.GTI. So it is anybody’s guess as as to if VW will convey it right here, however we all know VW USA desires it.
The few particulars now we have on it predict greater than the 223 hp within the ID2.all, front-wheel-drive solely, a locking entrance differential, a “GTI Experience Control” mode selector formed like a golf ball between the seats and capable of tweak steering and throttle responses in addition to manufactured sounds, and wi-fi charging pads that characteristic magnetic locking.
If none of this tantalizes you, the Golf is making the electrical transition, too. Though it would lose its rights to the GTI identify, we all know VW has plans for tuning. The R division’s been dreaming up all-electric situations for some time now, and the GTX nameplate is reserved for all-wheel-drive efficiency trims, an ideal manner for the Golf to distinguish itself.
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