The German brand has just revealed a concept car that will make the mouths of fans of electric cars and GTI. There is still a long way to go before the market launch, but the teasing orchestrated by Volkswagen is effective enough to make us wait in peace.
Volkswagen was the first brand to introduce the sporty compact car concept. Presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1975, the Golf GTI was a small revolution and paved the way for affordable sports cars for Mr. and Mrs. Everybody. Generations followed one another until the Golf VIII GTI in 2020, but still no completely electric sports car on the horizon until then. This is where the ID.GTI concept points the tip of its body, just unveiled in preview at the IAA Auto Show in Munich.
The ID.GTI: an electrified tribute
Impossible to deny it, Volkswagen is betting a lot on its ID range to ensure its transition to electrification. Between the arrival of the ID.3, the announcement of the ID.7 and that of the ID.2all, we can say that the brand is not idle. It is also on the basis of this last model that the concept of the ID.GTI is based. Obviously, no internal combustion for the little news, but the brand has chosen to keep the acronym GTI (Grand Tourisme Injection). On the other hand, the “I” will mean “intelligence”. The GTI coat of arms takes on a rather mythical aspect, which Volkswagen did not wish to abandon.
The overall design of the concept is supposed to draw its inspiration from the old historic GTI models: red piping on the black front panel, plastic fender flares and black spoiler on the tailgate, imagined as homages to the original model. While exact powertrain details have not been disclosed, the model could be fitted with a 226 horsepower motor powered by a 56 kWh battery, according to information held by TheArgus. Enough to pass the exercise from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 7 seconds, according to Volkswagen’s expectations.
An (too) futuristic interior?
It can be clearly said that Volkswagen has let loose when it comes to the interior of its concept. Even if no photo is published, we can see an idea of the final rendering thanks to the design drawings. The passenger compartment promises to be oriented, to say the least, towards a very typical “video game” atmosphere: semi-bucket seats resembling gaming chairs and a huge 12.9-inch touch screen, accompanied by a fully digital dashboard of 10 .9 inches. An augmented reality head-up display should take up a good portion of the windshield. Some will love it, some won’t.
New features will appear to bring a playful side to driving. Force feedback motors will be integrated inside the seats to mimic the sensations of dynamic low-speed driving, and it will be possible to simulate the behavior of older GTI models using on-board software. This gadget may appeal to old school enthusiasts.
The ID.GTI will not remain in the concept state and is destined to become a production model, this has been confirmed by Volkswagen. It should be presented in 2026, which leaves plenty of room for the brand to refine its vehicle. It remains to be seen whether this attempt located on the border between the heritage of the GTI and the full electric with neo-futuristic airs will convince customers.
Sources: Electrek, TheArgus
9