At this week’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Volkswagen showed how a GTI might look when it gets electrified exactly 48 years after the debut of the first Golf GTI at the 1975 IAA in Frankfurt. The ID. GTI Concept is based on the ID. 2all concept presented in March of a future electric compact car that costs around €25,000. Just like the ID. 2all also sketched by the new Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, the ID. GTI Concept is more than just a show car, providing the first glimpse of the GTI future headed into production.

“With this concept, we are transporting the GTI DNA into the electric age,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “It remains sporty, iconic, technologically progressive, and accessible, but now has a new interpretation for tomorrow’s world: electric, fully connected, and extremely emotive. Production has already been decided as part of our electrification plans.”

For the new concept, VW the letter “I” that traditionally stood for (fuel) injection in the GTI name now stands for intelligence—in the form of the high-performance drivetrain and chassis. Just like the current generation GTI, the concept uses a front-axle differential lock electronically controlled by a vehicle dynamics manager for its first application on an electric Volkswagen. On the concept, it integrates the powertrain into the control system to an even greater degree than on the gasoline models.

 

Adapting the ID. 2all

“With the ID. GTI Concept, we are showing what a great future the GTI philosophy has at Volkswagen,” said Mindt. “In my opinion, the powerful ID. 2all is the perfect basis for an electric GTI. I already had the GTI in mind when I first put pen to paper for the ID. 2all.”

Like the original GTI, the concept uses the design and technology of an affordable large-series model as its basis but made sportier. In this case, it translates into a compact 161.6-in (4104-mm) overall length on a long 102.4-in (2600-mm) wheelbase for short overhangs, a 59-in (1500-mm) height, and 72.4-in (1838-mm) width. Large 20-in aluminum alloy wheels get 245/35R20 performance tires.

At the front, the concept gets the well-known red GTI “radiator grille” treatment that spans its width below the IQ.Light LED matrix headlights with a red GTI logo integrated with the red line on the right. The headlights are framed by a white horizontal LED bar, with a centered white VW badge.

The motorsports-inspired bumper features a dominant black middle with a front splitter and an air intake above it that has the honeycomb structure debuted on the fifth-generation GTI. On the front bumper sides are red motorsport-style towing eyes and vertical LED daytime running lights in the black-framed air curtains that route airflow to the wheel housings and then outward to optimize aerodynamic performance and cool the brakes. On the car’s sides are matte-black bottom skirts with plastic elements that optimize the vehicle aerodynamically and wheels framed by flared wheel-arch extensions.

Channeling another classic GTI feature of distinctive wheel designs such as the Pirelli examples from the Mark 1 Golf GTI and the Denvers from the Golf GTI Mark 5, are the concept’s examples having eight double spokes and a circle of eight openings. The wheels have black inner surfaces and a high-gloss polished finish for the edges of the eight openings.

The design team reinterpreted the original GTI’s black rear window surround with a black roof spoiler flanked by black side air guides. The spoiler ensures optimum downforce and minimum drag. Under the spoiler, a narrow LED strip runs across the width of the vehicle as a third brake light. A black area below the horizontal taillight cluster bar picks up on the original GTI’s black bumper, with GTI lettering integrated into the middle of this area. The two-part black rear diffuser extends beyond the body to protect the painted bumper surfaces.

VW says that the concept is not only for driving short distances and on the racetrack, partly due to it being “light for an EV” (though no weight figure was provided) and to a low center of gravity due to the in-floor battery pack, but it is also suitable for long journeys thanks to its efficient drive system, good aerodynamics, comfortable suspension, and a large battery.

The infinitely variable electric drive motor system permits the realization of a range of GTI profiles. Using the GTI Experience Control on the center console, the driver can choose powertrain characteristics. It is possible to adjust the drive system, running gear, steering, sound, and the simulated shift points in the style of one of the historic GTI models such as the original 1976 Golf GTI, the 16-valve Golf GTI Mark 2 from 1986, or the 2001 Golf GTI Mark 4 “25 years of GTI”—making the concept a dynamic time machine.

 

Channeling the GTI experience

Since it shares the MEB Entry package with the ID. 2all, it also has the same practical details including an additional stowage box under the double luggage compartment floor. The interior of the four-door concept can accommodate five passengers and 17.3 ft³ (490 L) of cargo.

There is a 1.8-ft³ (50-L) stowage area under the rear bench seat designed for the charging cable and items such as the first-aid kit, high-visibility vests, and breakdown set. There is enough space in this lockable compartment for devices such as laptops and tablets, which can also be charged there. When the 60:40 split rear bench seat is folded down, the luggage compartment capacity increases to 47 ft³ (1330 L).

The sport seats have a reinterpreted GTI plaid pattern, with the fabric being called Jack-e instead of Jacky used in the Mark 6 Golf GTI. The driver’s seat backrest is equipped with the GTI Heartbeat, a red pulsing anti-theft alarm light visible from outside to signal that the vehicle is secure.

The concept’s three-spoke steering has an illuminated 12 o’clock marker for the car’s straight-ahead position. Its two horizontal spokes accommodate an “easy-grip” thumbwheel and two buttons to control the configurable digital instruments, augmented reality head-up display, and functions such as audio volume.

Since the automatic transmission is operated by a steering column switch, the interior designers have transferred the traditional GTI golf ball shifter design to the multifunction GTI Experience Control in the center console. The digital displays allow new designs and functions like different looks for the instruments. The basic configuration displays all information and functions; in Vintage mode, the 10.9-in digital cockpit in front of the driver is transformed into the instrumentation of a Mark 1 or 2 Golf GTI.

The designers and engineers took a unique approach with the concept’s augmented reality head-up display. It projects data onto the windshield for the passenger as well as the driver and merges the virtual and real worlds for the “co-driver” too.

In standard mode, information such as the speed and current range is projected in front of the driver and front passenger, with GTI Silver Drive white used for the background lighting and displays. In GTI mode, the background lighting and all displays switch to the GTI Red Turbo color. If on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife in GTI mode, the driver can display the course, position, and lap times on the windshield. When driving in a race, the driver can also see his/her current position in the field and progress in “GTI Achievements.”

Already near production are the 12.9-in infotainment touch display, with more intuitive graphics and menu structure, and the air-conditioning controls under the display operated by illuminated buttons. In the middle of the air conditioning strip, a small thumbwheel adjusts the volume of the infotainment system. Further down are two large inductive charging interfaces for smartphones that are magnetically locked in position. Numerous 45-W USB-C ports throughout the vehicle interior supply power to mobile devices.