Volkswagen brings the GTI into an EV future

Volkswagen has announced that the company’s GTI badge is firmly lined up for an all-electric future with the presentation of a new ID.GTI Concept car at the opening of the IAA Mobility trade show in Munich.

As part of an announcement that Volkswagen will launch 11 new models by 2027, ranging from a compact car priced at less than €25,000 through to a new family saloon, the new range will also include GTI versions of selected models in the ID. range.

The production version of the ID.GTI will be based on the company’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform and initial customer deliveries are intended to hit the roads within four years.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, is excited about taking the GTI badge into the electric age.

“The perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability – that is what the GTI has meant for decades,” said 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.”

Images of the concept ID.GTI show a vehicle which is clearly channelling the early GTIs with black bumpers, rear window surround and the prominent GTI badge displayed front and rear. The new all-electric GTI is intended to offer an advanced head-up display (HUD), displaying information not just for the driver but also for the front passenger.

By 2033 at the latest, Volkswagen will produce only electric vehicles in Europe. Up to that deadline, the company will continue to produce a range of efficient combustion engine vehicles.