Volkswagen is getting ready to launch an electrical sizzling hatch sporting the GTI badge in 2026, design chief Andreas Mindt has revealed, although it will not be a Golf GTI.

In an Instagram publish made earlier this week, and first noticed by Motor1, Mindt mentioned the primary GTI, primarily based on the Mk1 Golf, was unveiled in 1975, and that in 2026 an electrical model of the enduring hatch might be launched.

It is potential the automotive might be proven a yr earlier to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the unique Golf GTI’s reveal.

Included in Mindt’s publish was a sketch exhibiting the unique Golf GTI along with VW’s ID.GTI idea unveiled in September and already confirmed by VW for manufacturing.

Instagram publish by Andreas Mindt – Dec. 2023

The ID.GTI idea is not prone to be badged as a Golf GTI as idea’s subcompact dimensions level to it previewing a substitute for the Polo GTI, simply because the associated ID.2all idea proven in March seemingly previews a substitute for the common Polo.

Take a look at mules for the manufacturing ID.2all utilizing modified our bodies of the bigger ID.3 have been noticed testing. The automobile, and sure any GTI model, will use a brand new platform derived from the present MEB design present in autos just like the ID.3 and ID.4. The brand new platform, dubbed MEB Entry, is shorter than the common MEB platform and contains a single motor on the entrance.

Volkswagen ID.GTI Idea

Within the ID.2all, the motor is rated at 222 hp, and the idea’s battery is claimed by VW to ship 280 miles on the WLTP check cycle used abroad. A decrease determine would consequence utilizing the stricter EPA cycle. VW hasn’t supplied any specs for the associated ID.GTI idea however mentioned it additionally featured a single motor on the entrance.

Crossover followers may also sit up for an MEB Entry-based providing from VW in 2026.

VW in September mentioned it’s planning an electrical Golf, and this mannequin will seemingly provide a GTI variant, although the electrical Golf will not arrive till 2028 on the earliest, as that’s when its SSP platform is scheduled to be prepared. Which means an electrical Golf GTI, the automotive we historically consider as a GTI, might be the second EV to put on the GTI badge.

Sarcastically, the I in GTI signifies gas injection, a know-how that clearly will not function within the electrical GTI. Equally, Porsche makes use of a Turbo badge on its Taycan, a reputation that additionally signifies a know-how for ICE autos and never EVs.