The legendary GTI badge has a place in Volkswagen’s electric future, as revealed by the new ID. GTI concept car.
Ahead of the 2023 Munich Motor Show, which opens its doors on Tuesday 5 September, Volkswagen has released these official images of the ID. GTI.
Based on the ID. 2all concept, shown earlier this year, the ID. GTI is described by Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer as the “perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability”.
Classic GTI styling
Volkswagen head of design Andreas Mindt ensured all the typical hot hatch styling features were included on the ID. GTI. In terms of proportions, the car is only fractionally larger than the ID. 2all, measuring 4,104mm in length. This makes it closer in scale to a Volkswagen Polo than the current Mk8 Golf.
Despite its supermini size, Volkswagen has fitted 20-inch alloy wheels, which are inspired by Golf GTI models of the past. At the rear, the darkened area below the tail light cluster is a nod to the original Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Other GTI staples include a rear spoiler, plus liberal use of honeycomb trim inside the front bumper. A red stripe spans the radiator grille, while the Mars Red and Diamond Silver colours of the concept cars are also taken from Golf GTIs of the past.
A modern GTI interior
If the outside of the ID. GTI concept is all traditional Volkswagen hot hatchback, its interior is far more futuristic.
This includes a head-up display that can project across the entire windscreen. This allows the passenger to see lap times on a circuit, for example, along with other driving or infotainment data.
Engaging GTI mode via a steering wheel-mounted button switches the dashboard back-lighting to red. Take the ID. GTI concept onto Germany’s famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit and a map of the track will appear on the windscreen.
Still a front-driven hot hatch
Currently just a concept car, Volkswagen has not released any major technical details about the ID. GTI. We know it’s front-wheel drive, but with an electronically controlled differential lock that can be adjusted by the driver.
With the production version of the Volkswagen ID. 2all concept expected to arrive in 2025, the electric GTI could reach showrooms the following year.
Volkswagen plans to launch 11 new EVs by 2027. However, enthusiasts can feel reassured that the GTI badge won’t be lost in the move to electrification.
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