2027 Volkswagen ID. GTI

It was only a matter of time before the legendary GTI moniker would step into the electric era, and the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept hatchback you see here is the first sign of what that will look like. Based on the ID. 2all and set to go into production in 2027, the "I" in GTI now stands for intelligence instead of injection, in reference to the advanced chassis technology that has been employed in the ID. GTI. Volkswagen referenced the Golf hatchback over 30 times in the official press kit for the ID. GTI, and the modernized yet familiar chunkiness of the styling speaks to that. The front-wheel-drive configuration and front-axle differential lock are other similarities shared with the existing Golf 8, but can this fully electric GTI possibly live up to the badge's reputation? Let's find out.

As we are only at the concept stage, it will be a bit of a wait for this sporty VW. The release date for the production Volkswagen ID. GTI EV is only expected in early 2027, but Americans may have to wait even longer - as was the case with the current gas-powered Golf GTI. On that note, VW hasn't actually confirmed the ID. GTI will be coming out in the USA, but the intention is certainly there. Pablo Di Si, VW Group of America CEO, said that "everybody wants the car in the US," which is much more than the generic "nothing is confirmed at this stage" spiel automakers tend to reply with when asked about new concepts.

Early signs are that the price of the 2027 Volkswagen ID. GTI will start at about $33,000, not much more than the MSRP of the current Golf GTI. Of course, by 2027, a lot could have changed to escalate the cost, but it looks like this will be another relatively affordable enthusiast's car.

Rivals will include the new Mini Cooper Electric, which is also set to arrive in sporty JCW guise. As for traditional Golf GTI rivals like the Toyota GR Corolla and Honda Civic Type R, it's less clear if they will have fully electric alternatives by the time the ID. GTI arrives.

If VW revealed this concept and called it a future Golf GTI that just happened to be fully electric, nobody would be surprised. The fuss-free lines are typically Golf, as are features like the chunky C-pillar and the honeycomb structure of the front air intake (a pattern associated with the front of the Golf GTI since the fifth-generation model). The same goes for the red surround of the radiator grille; since this is an EV, the grille area is almost entirely enclosed.

Headlights are IQ.Light LED matrix units framed in a horizontal LED light bar. The VW emblem is illuminated, and the GTI name is positioned lower down on one side. Vertical LED daytime running lights are incorporated lower down on the sides of the front bumper, which has a motorsports-inspired design with a black front splitter. The front also features twin red motorsport-style towing eyes.

The large 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels are at odds with the compact body length of just 161.6 inches. This is made possible by extremely short overhangs. VW looked to the past for the wheel designs, drawing inspiration from the Mk 1's Pirelli rims and the Mk 5's Denver rim design. Meanwhile, side skirts covered at the bottom with plastic elements in matte-black contribute to making the hatch appear low-slung. The concept doesn't have traditional handles for the rear doors, adding to the sleek side profile.

At the back, there is a horizontal LED taillight cluster bar with a darker tint than the one on the ID. 2all concept. The frames of the 3D taillight clusters and badge are illuminated, while the black area below the cluster bar is a throwback to the black bumper of the first GTI. There is a two-part black rear diffuser and wheel arch extensions.

The colors for the production Volkswagen ID. GTI haven't been confirmed, but the red works well on the concept.

The dimensions of the Volkswagen ID. GTI concept are compact. At 161.6 inches in length, it's over seven inches shorter than the Golf GTI and even shorter than the Chevy Bolt EV. The wheelbase is 102.4 inches, though, so that's not much shorter than the Golf's. The height of this electric hatch is 59 inches, and the width is 72.4 inches.

Whereas the gas-powered Golf GTI weighs between 3,133 and 3,206 pounds, the 2027 ID. GTI is likely going to be heavier since it is an EV. Then again, the FWD layout and single electric motor should keep it below 3,800 lbs.

The powertrain in the Volkswagen ID. GTI has been kept fairly simple, with a single electric motor directing power to the front wheels. Although no outputs were given, other models in the VW Group stable, such as the Cupra Tavascan and Raval, produce between 226 and 282 horsepower from the same platform. That gives the ID. GTI the potential to be more powerful than the Golf GTI (241 hp), and with the instant power delivery of an electric motor, 0-60 mph times of below six seconds don't seem out of reach.

Like the existing GTI hatch, the ID. GTI uses an electronically controlled front-axle differential lock. This traction control system makes the most of the FWD configuration and should allow the GTI to put its power down cleanly. Compared to gas models, the Vehicles Dynamics Manager of this EV integrates the powertrain into the control system more than before. It all means that drivers will have more control over the various GTI driving profiles, selectable via the new GTI Experience Control system.

Almost everything - the drive system, running gear, sound, steering, and shift points - can be adjusted. Those shift points can even mirror the shift points seen in past gas-powered GTIs, although this sounds like VW's engineers got a bit too overcome by nostalgia. We may have to eat our words if it all translates to a throwback driving experience, though.

VW claims the ID. GTI will be well-suited to track days thanks to its low center of gravity, which is made possible by the placement of the battery in the floor, and the EV's light weight.

As with its performance specs, we don't have official information about range yet. However, the 56-kWh battery pack from the ID. 2 seems like a rational option. While this small battery will restrict the range, it will help keep the hatchback's weight down. This battery pack would be good for a range of about 280 miles based on the WLTP standard, so a more realistic figure will be about 220-230 miles. It should be able to support DC fast charging at up to 125 kW. Naturally, with a couple of years to refine the product, this may improve by the time it's released.

Even though it will only arrive in 2027, the interior of the Volkswagen ID. GTI doesn't seem too far off other current VWs with its dual displays and scarcity of physical controls. Even VW admits as much, saying that the 12.9-inch touchscreen is "already near-production" in its current form. That also applies to the ventilation controls operated by illuminated buttons, and there is also a convenient thumbwheel in this area for the volume adjuster. Lower down is a space for two phones to be wirelessly charged. The touchscreen is complemented by a 10.9-inch Digital Cockpit ahead of the driver that, like aspects of the Volkswagen ID. GTI's exterior, is a throwback to past GTIs.

In Vintage mode, the digital instrument cluster mirrors the instrumentation of the second-generation Golf GTI. For those who prefer to look ahead rather than at the past, there is a more modern instrumentation layout that can be easily selected.

The three-spoke steering wheel has an airbag moved lower down to allow for a visual bridge to the Golf 1 GTI's impact absorber. From this wheel, drivers can manage functions like the augmented reality head-up display (viewable by the front passenger, too) and volume. The iconic golf ball shifter inside previous Golfs has a new role here, having been transformed into the controller for the GTI Experience Control system which changes the driving mode. A steering column switch has been implemented for the transmission.

The background lighting and various displays are lit up in GTI Silver Drive white by default, but the new GTI mode changes everything to a racy GTI Red Turbo hue. Other high-tech features include several 45W USB-C ports and a 230-volt socket for larger devices.

The traditional GTI plaid upholstery with its checkered pattern has been reimagined for the seats in the Volkswagen ID. GTI. The fabric is now known as Jack-e, instead of Jacky, as in the Mk 6 Golf GTI. For the driver, the backrest has a red-pulsating LED element known as the GTI Heartbeat. When the car is locked, this element is visible from the outside, assuring the driver the car is secure.

All GTIs have been known for their ability to double as a practical family car, and this EV is no different. There is space for three passengers in the second row, and this bench seat conceals a 1.8 cubic-foot stowage area. One simple movement can raise this bench to access this space, which has been designed specifically for the charging cable. Ã 60/40 split-folding rear seat can be tumbled to open up 47 cubic feet of total utility space. Behind the second row, there are 17.3 cubes to work with. Although the Volkswagen ID. GTI's cargo space behind the rear seats isn't as generous as what you get in a Golf, but it's an acceptable number considering how much shorter this car's body is.