Volkswagen has revealed the ID. Polo GTI, the first all-electric model to wear its GTI badge.
The debut comes 50 years after the original Golf GTI, and Volkswagen is being careful not to turn the badge into a styling pack.
The new hot hatch stays front-wheel drive, like the 1976 original, but swaps petrol power for a front-mounted electric motor producing 166 kW (226 PS) and 290 Nm.
Performance is brisk. Volkswagen quotes 0-100 kph in 6.8 seconds, helped by an electronically controlled front differential lock fitted as standard.
The car also gets adaptive DCC sports suspension and progressive steering, with a dedicated GTI driving profile activated from a button on the steering wheel.
Power comes from a 52 kWh net nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. Volkswagen quotes up to 424km of WLTP range, while DC fast charging peaks at 105 kW. The 10-80% charge is claimed to take about 24 minutes, helped by what Volkswagen describes as a steady charging curve.
The design keeps the familiar GTI cues. There is a red stripe across the nose, a honeycomb lower intake, 19-inch wheels, red detailing and a split roof spoiler. The car also gets IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights and GTI-specific rear lighting with red illumination around the Volkswagen badge.
Inside, Volkswagen has gone heavy on old-school GTI references. The cabin uses red stitching, a sports steering wheel with a 12 o’clock marker, tartan-style seat fabric and illuminated GTI logos. The digital instrument display can also switch to a retro view inspired by the late Golf I, while the infotainment screen can show cassette-style graphics when that mode is active.
Despite the performance brief, practicality has not been ignored. Boot space is 441 litres, rising to 1,240 litres with the rear seats folded. Volkswagen also quotes up to 1.2 tonnes of braked towing capacity.
Pre-sales in Germany are scheduled to start this autumn, with pricing expected at just under €39,000 (about RM180,000).
