The Volkswagen ID.GTI Concept car was presented at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Germany this week, validating the German marque’s commitment to staying true to its performance heritage. The fabled GTI lettering will also appear on selected sporty models in the all-electric ID. family.
The ID. GTI Concept is based on the €25,000 ID. 2all1, employing the same front-wheel drive, clear design and powerful proportions. As such, the finished product will be based on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform and is slated to hit showroom floors come 2027.
“The perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability – that is what the three letters GTI have meant for decades,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. With the ID. GTI Concept, we are taking the GTI DNA into the electric age. It remains sporty, iconic, technologically progressive and accessible, but now with a new interpretation for tomorrow’s world: electric, fully connected and extremely emotive. Here, driving pleasure and sustainability are a perfect match. This means GTI has a future – for our brand and for the fans. A Volkswagen sports car for the electric age that is suitable for everyday driving: 100 per cent electric – 100 per cent emotion.”
> Volkswagen ID.3 first drive review
VW ID.GTI proportions and exterior
Like the original GTI of 1976, the ID.GTI Concept takes on the powerful stance we’ve come to expect from a genuine GTI. In terms of the exterior figures, the ID.GTI will stand 1,499mm high and measure 1,840mm wide – a little bigger than the current model’s size. Colours have not been chosen yet but the two concepts on display at the IAA Mobility Show featured the original Diamond Silver Metallic and Mars Red of the first-generation Golf GTI.
In terms of visual drama, the designers have managed to keep the spirit of the GTI alive and the trademark red pinstriping will still feature on the grille below the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights. The GTI logo – finished off in red letters – is integrated on the flanks and side skirts, while the headlights are outlined by a horizontal LED bar. The Volkswagen badge is illuminated in white.
As expected, sporty touches are still on display. There’s a prominent black front splitter in the middle of the bumper with honeycomb-style ‘air intakes’ adding some aggression to the package. The C-pillar has become a distinguishing feature of the ID. range and will also define the ID. GTI Concept silhouette – creating a malevolent facade. Blistered wheel arches help promote a squat and stocky stance, and house 20-inch GTI Concept alloy wheels. The rear end is finished off with a sporty roof spoiler, while horizontal LED tail-lamps and a retro-looking GTI motif and rear valence finish off proceedings at the rear.
VW ID.GTI performance
While Volkswagen has yet to share any concrete information on the electric motor and battery, maximum power and torque will naturally be delivered instantly. The ID.GTI will utilise a front-axle differential lock (electronically controlled by a Vehicle Dynamics Manager) just like the current petrol-engined GTI. Whereas GTI has always stood for Grand Touring Injection, it will now represent Grand Touring Intelligence – a nod to the high-performance drive and enhanced safety technology on offer.
Using a newly developed GTI Experience Control system, the driver can personalise the powertrain characteristics such as the drive system, running gear, steering, sound experience and simulated shift points.
“The perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability – that is what the three letters GTI have meant for decades,” says Schäfer. With the ID. GTI Concept, we are taking the GTI DNA into the electric age. It remains sporty, iconic, technologically progressive and accessible, but now with a new interpretation for tomorrow’s world: electric, fully connected and extremely emotive. Here, driving pleasure and sustainability are a perfect match. This means GTI has a future – for our brand and for the fans. A Volkswagen sports car for the electric age that is suitable for everyday driving: 100 per cent electric – 100 per cent emotion.”
