The ID.3 is certainly one of the smallest compact cars (C segment), but Volkswagen still lacks a real electric city car to replace the aging e-up!, derived from a thermal model. We are therefore impatiently awaiting the future ID.2 (name to be confirmed), which should finally arrive in 2025 after many twists and turns, at a price of less than €25,000 excluding state aid. It will compete in particular with the next electric Renault 5.
Volkswagen’s electric city car is long overdue
A first concept called ID. LIFE was presented in 2021, before Volkswagen unveiled a second vehicle, with a much more consensual style, at the start of 2023. Named ID. 2all, it served as the basis for the development of a third concept presented at the Munich show, which this time shows what the future sports version of Volkswagen’s next electric city car could be.
The ID. GTI, that’s its name, takes up what is perhaps the most mythical acronym in car production. But if the “I” of GTI originally refers to the injection of petrol engines, Volkswagen explains that it is here synonymous with intelligence. We will leave you alone to judge this explanation.
The style is however that of a real GTI, in particular with a specific body kit and rims, a rear spoiler, a red border running along the grille and even rear lights different from the ID concept. 2all.
The interior is also adorned with specific elements, including the seats and the steering wheel with markings at 12 o’clock. There “GTI experience command”, which resembles a knob on the center console, takes up a golf ball design, like the gear lever knob of the Golf GTI. We also note that the amusing acronym play accelerator pedal on ID models. doubles up for this sporty version, becoming a symbol of fast forward.
While GTIs are renowned for offering pure sensations, with a generally simple and functional interior, Volkswagen seems to have deviated from this philosophy somewhat for the ID. GTI. So, “it is for the first time possible to adjust the transmission, running gear, steering, sound and even simulated shift points”, announces Volkswagen. In addition to mimicking that of a combustion engine, the sound signature of the ID. GTI would therefore simulate gearshifts.
The interfaces presented to the driver are not restrained either, with an augmented reality head-up display capable of providing driving information and even the layout of certain circuits. It is deployed over the entire windscreen, in addition to the instrument screen located behind the steering wheel and the central screen dedicated to infotainment.
Not a word on the technical sheet
Alas, Volkswagen doesn’t say a word about the specs of its new concept. Recall that the ID. 2all is based on the new platform dedicated to electric MEB Entry. Unlike the classic MEB, it was developed to produce traction cars. The ID concept. 2all is, for example, equipped with a 166 kW (226 hp) electric motor on its front axle, powered by a 56 kWh battery, for an announced range of 450 km in the WLTP cycle.