Volkswagen has unveiled their first ever electric GTI. The five-door ID. GTI concept show car was revealed at the 2023 IAA Mobility car show in Munch, Germany. The unveiling comes 48 years after the launch of the first Golf GTI at the 1975 IAA in Frankfurt. The ID. GTI is set to go into production in 2026 utilizing their modular electric drive (MEB) platform. Volkswagen wants to only offer electric vehicles in Europe by 2033. Electric and gasoline powered vehicles will continue to be offered until then.

“We have realigned Volkswagen over the course of recent months. Our actions are always focused on the question of what customers expect from us. The complete range of our new orientation will be visible for the first time at the IAA Mobility. Volkswagen is delivering what customers want: whether electric, combustion engine or hybrid vehicles – all our new models impress with enjoyable efficiency, intuitive operation and high quality that is evident in all areas. In this way, we are meeting our promise of once more focusing completely on customer needs.”

European buyers have been able to buy several different GTI models over the years including the Golf GTI, Scirocco GTi, Polo GTI, and Up! GTI. The new ID. GTI Concept is based on the ID. 2all which was unveiled earlier this year.

Power, performance and pricing details for the new ID. GTI has not been released. Horsepower will likely exceed the 223 hp that is believed to be powering the top of the range ID.2all. Volkswagen has not indicated if the ID. GTI will be available outside of Europe.

The ‘I’ in GTi used to stand for Injection, as in fuel injection. It now stands for Intelligence, as in high-performance drive and chassis intelligence, according to Volkswagen.

“The perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability – that is what the three letters GTI have 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. 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 percent emotion.”

The three core design values of the ID. GTI, according to Volkswagen’s head of design, Andreas Mindt, are stability, sympathy and the secret sauce.

Photography & Videos By Volkswagen