It’s been almost a year since Volkswagen announced plans for an electric GTI. The ID. GTI Concept is set to become a production model in 2026 for the European market. VW aims to offer the sporty hatchback in the U.S. at around $25,000, (The Gulf region’s prices are not known yet) though this is still just a hopeful target for now. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Motor1 Italy talked with the top exec in Wolfsburg about the first GTI without a combustion engine.
Thomas Schäfer took the opportunity to build excitement around the electric GTI, noting that its suspension and chassis will be “even more advanced” compared to the current gas model. The objective is “to create a car that’s not only high-performing” but also “more thrilling to experience and drive.” The senior VW official also revealed that the car will feature a “GTI e-sound,” meaning artificial engine noise will be played through the speakers.
It’s important to clarify that the ID. GTI Concept did not showcase an electric version of the Golf GTI but rather a smaller vehicle. The performance-focused prototype from last year’s IAA Mobility in Munich was actually based on the ID. 2all, which is an electric hatchback similar in size to a Polo. The compact car is still available in Europe with a combustion engine as the GTI, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 204 horsepower. Prior to its discontinuation in 2023, the even smaller up! GTI was offered with a 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder engine delivering 115 hp.
A new all-electric Golf, following the Mk7-based model, is not expected until the end of this decade, when the Mk9 is planned for release. The existing Mk8 Golf with gasoline engines could potentially be on the market until 2035, as VW may consider selling two generations simultaneously for a few years. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Golf, with the GTI set to celebrate its 50th in 2025.
Technically, the Scirocco GTI was the first GTI to roll off the production line, with its series production beginning in the summer of 1976, while the Golf GTI arrived later that fall. However, VW showcased the first Golf GTI at the 1975 IAA show in Frankfurt.
At the GTI Fan Fest in Wolfsburg, Schäfer told Motor1 Italy that VW is capable of carrying the “DNA spirit [of the gasoline GTI] into the electric era.” He added that the future GTIs, which will move away from ICE power, will offer “high performance and iconic design” while still being unmistakable. The three iconic letters represent Grand Touring Injection, but a trademark from last year suggested that the “I” might be replaced by a lightning bolt for the performance EVs.
In the same interview, VW’s top executive reiterated the company’s goal for electric vehicles to make up at least 80 percent of annual sales in Europe by 2030. However, VW Group’s luxury brands, including Bentley, Porsche, and Audi, have recently updated their EV targets, acknowledging that gas-powered cars may remain on the roads longer than previously expected.
Source and Images: Motor1