Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept: a preview of the future electric GTI

Contents

Familiar basics
Scalable design
Redesigned onboard experience
In the studio: Volkswagen Golf GTI or Hyundai Kona N?

The Volkswagen brand wants to launch 11 new electric vehicles by 2027. Not all of them will come to North America, of course, but we will be entitled to an electric version of the sporty Golf GTI.

As part of the Munich Auto Show 2023, we got a preview of this car in the form of the ID concept. GTI. The Car Guide had the opportunity to approach him. Here’s what you need to know…

Familiar basics

First of all, the future electric Golf GTI will use Volkswagen’s MEB electric vehicle platform, the same one used, among others, in the ID.4 crossover. Like the current petrol model, it will transmit its power to the front wheels only thanks to a differential lock system.

If the third letter of the name is used to designate “injection”, it will rather mean “intelligence” in the electric era, specifies the company. These include, for example, smarter and more advanced electronic systems that will control the chassis and engine, providing more tuning possibilities. A “GTI Experience” command will even allow the car to be adapted – including simulated gear changes – to recreate the sensations of classic GTIs.

Unfortunately, Volkswagen didn’t provide any technical details, performance or battery figures.

Scalable design

Visually, we recognize the iconic hatchback silhouette of the Golf family. The designers were inspired by the style of the ID. 2all, giving it a compact posture (4,104 mm) but a long wheelbase (2,600 mm), short overhangs and very original large 20-inch wheels with their two-tone pattern. Note that the Silver Diamond body color is a tribute to the first generation of the Golf GTI.

At the front, the grille is obviously closed as would an electric vehicle, but it retains the decorative red line specific to the GTI. The headlights with IQ.LIGHT technology are new and framed by an LED light strip. The Volkswagen logo is also illuminated.

In addition, the concept features a large black spoiler, an appendage that evokes the Clubsport model offered in Europe. Additionally, the taillights take on a dark tint and sit above a two-piece black diffuser, again somewhat mimicking the style of the original GTI.

Redesigned onboard experience

At the same time, inside the concept, the multifunction steering wheel incorporates a luminous marker in the 12 o’clock position and a transmission selector on the steering column. An augmented reality head-up display sits behind and extends in front of the passenger. The golf ball-shaped gear knob is revived in the form of the “GTI Experience” control.

The digital dashboard is fully customizable and can even look like dials from 40 years ago, which is fun. Ditto for the button on the steering wheel that activates GTI mode, switching the backlight and display from white to red. As for the central touch screen, it measures here 12.9 inches and its menu structure has been simplified.

Finally, the seats naturally take up the checkered fabric that has become the hallmark of the Golf GTI. On the driver’s backrest, a red LED element that simulates heartbeats confirms that the anti-theft alarm is activated once you get out of the car and lock the doors.

The future Volkswagen Golf GTI or electric ID. GTI, whatever it’s called, should go on sale with us in late 2026 or early 2027.