Volkswagen has reimagined one of its most beloved models with the introduction of the ID.Buzz, a modern and fully electric tribute to the classic Microbus. This, however, is not the only fan-favorite in the company’s lineup.
Unveiled at the 2023 Munich Auto Show, the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept aims to bring the same refreshing update to the Golf GTI hot hatchback — VW’s well-known performance car — that the ID.Buzz has brought to the Microbus. VW has confirmed that a production version is in the works, though they haven’t specified an exact release date.
The Golf GTI, now in its eighth generation, made waves in the performance car market when it first appeared in Europe in 1976. It didn’t make its way to the U.S. until 1983, where it was known as the Rabbit GTI. What set it apart was how it transformed the practical Golf hatchback with more power and better handling, creating a fun, affordable, and practical car for everyday use.
VW has applied the same approach to the ID.GTI. This concept is built upon another concept car, the ID.2all, which was first showcased in March. The ID.2all serves as a preview for a production model that VW plans to release in Europe in 2025, targeting a base price of 25,000 euros (around $27,000).
Much like the Golf GTI, the ID.GTI adds sportier elements such as large wheels and a rear spoiler to the design, which is largely retained from its base model. This gives the ID.GTI a somewhat retro vibe, as the ID.2all features Golf-like design elements, including short front and rear overhangs and a slanted rear roof pillar.
Inside, the ID.GTI pays homage to the Golf GTI with features such as updated versions of the classic plaid seats and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel. A nod to the original GTI’s golf-ball-dimpled shifter also appears, although this time it’s adapted to a center-console knob that adjusts drive modes and other settings due to the use of the column-mounted switch from the ID.7 sedan.
The car is packed with technology, including an augmented reality head-up display projecting information onto the windshield, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customized to resemble the gauge clusters from classic GTI models.
Built on a simplified version of the MEB platform called MEB Entry, which also supports the ID.Buzz and ID.4 crossover SUV, the ID.GTI is front-wheel drive like the gasoline GTI. Volkswagen hasn’t revealed the powertrain specifications but mentioned that it can be configured to emulate classic GTI models, such as the original Mark I from 1976, a 1986 Golf GTI Mark II, or the 25th-anniversary edition of the Mark IV from 2001.
The production version of the ID.GTI is expected to be released around 2025, following the launch of the ID.2all in Europe. Similar to the current U.S. market where VW only offers the GTI and its Golf R sibling, we might only see the GTI variant of this electric vehicle. With Hyundai also prepping an N performance version of the Ioniq 5, car enthusiasts have an exciting electric hot-hatch rivalry to anticipate.