Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI would make its public debut at the 2026 Nürburgring 24h weekend, opening a new chapter for the GTI badge as it goes electric for the first time.
The near-production ID. Polo GTI is due to be shown on May 15 at the Ring-Boulevard during the 24h Nürburgring, which runs from May 14 to 17.
Volkswagen is using the event to mark 50 years of GTI, so the setting is deliberate: a massive German motorsport crowd, the Nordschleife in full chaos, and roughly 280,000 spectators expected across the weekend.
The ID. Polo GTI is not yet on sale, but it is already symbolically important. GTI has always meant compact performance, petrol engines and a very specific Volkswagen flavour. Putting the badge on an electric model shows where Wolfsburg wants to take that identity next.
Volkswagen is not stopping at the show car. Three Golf GTI Clubsport 24h race cars would compete in the endurance race, all prepared by Max Kruse Racing. Two cars, carrying numbers 50 and 76, would run in the SP4T class, while a third car, number 10, would compete in SP3T.
The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h has also been upgraded for the race. Output is rated at 291 kW (396 PS), with active gearbox cooling added for reliability.
Volkswagen has also fine-tuned the engine calibration and cut weight further, with the boot lid now made from carbon-fibre composite, following the carbon-composite doors used from 2025. The car weighs 1,200 kg without driver.
All three race cars would run on E20 fuel, made from 60% renewable raw materials. Volkswagen said it offers strong performance while helping cut CO2 emissions.
There is a heritage side too. Around 40 GTI models from all eight generations would parade on the Nordschleife before the race, joined by the new ID. Polo GTI.
Volkswagen would also show the Golf R 24H3 concept, a preview of its 2027 Nürburgring 24h race car.
