The first electric GTI is finally here. Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Polo GTI, a sporty 222-horsepower EV hot hatch that will start at around $45,000.
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI debuts as first electric hot hatch
50 years after launching the first Golf GTI in 1976, Volkswagen is taking the iconic badge into a new era with the ID. Polo GTI.
The ID. Polo is “100% electric and 100% GTI,” Volkswagen declared after introducing it for the first time on Friday at the 24h race at the Nürburgring.
Volkswagen said the first electric GTI “feels like a quintessential GTI,” equipped with a front-mounted electric motor delivering 222 hp (166 kW) and 290 Nm of max torque, enabling it to sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.8 seconds.
While it’s not the fastest, the ID. Polo makes up for it in other areas, delivering an authentic hot-hatch drive. The ID. Polo GTI features a front differential lock, adaptive DCC sports suspension, and progressive steering, specifically to give you more control with that “unique GTI feel,” according to Volkswagen.
Powered by the same 52 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery as the standard ID. Polo, the GTI model has a WLTP driving range of up to 424 km (263 miles).
With DC charging speeds of up to 105 kW, it can charge from 10% to 80% in around 24 minutes, the same as the standard ID. Polo.
While the design remains true to the first Golf in 1976, it’s reimagined with Volkswagen’s new Pure Positive design. The iconic red stripe remains up front, but now stretches nearly the entire width, featuring its new 3D GTI logo on the left.
Up front, Volkswagen also added an LED light strip, an illuminated VW badge, and new IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, while the rear features the IQ.LIGHT version of the tail light clusters, each with two outer three-dimensional LED elements.
Inside, the cabin is all blacked out with sporty red elements. The electric hot hatch features a new GTI sports steering wheel and premium sports seats.
The cockpit is based on Volkswagen’s new interior design, featuring a 10.25″ digital cockpit and a 12.9″ central infotainment screen.
Like the standard ID. Polo, the GTI model features a new Retro Mode that transforms the digital cockpit and infotainment screen in the style of the first-gen Golf.
Thanks to its compact drive modules and flat battery design, the electric hot hatch provides 19 mm more interior space than the gas-powered Polo GTI. With the rear seats folded, the load capacity increases to 1,240 liters, compared to the Gas Polo with 1,125 liters.
According to Volkswagen’s head of driving dynamics, Florian Umbach, a more powerful version is in the works. Umback told Autocar that the company is planning to launch a ID. Polo GTI Clubsport model that’s expected to deliver around 282 hp, up from 223 hp in the standard version.
Volkswagen will open ID. Polo GTI pre-sales this Fall, starting at under 39,000 euros ($45,000) in Germany, compared to 24,995 euros ($29,000) for the standard version.
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