VW has proven an electrical model of its basic GTI sizzling hatch. It’s only a idea thus far, however VW says the all-electric ID. GTI is deliberate for eventual manufacturing.

The electrical VW ID. GTI idea was unveiled immediately upfront of the IAA auto present in Munich, Germany.

The unique Golf GTI, launched in 1976, was the primary VW to make use of direct gasoline injection, thus the mannequin identify which stands for Grand Touring Injection. VW expanded the GTI designation to different performance-oriented fashions, and the VW Golf GTI has been in style as an reasonably priced however fast sizzling hatch, defining the phase.

So lending this designation to a future electrical mannequin is a giant deal, displaying that VW thinks the approaching electrical ID. GTI shall be worthy of that heritage (particularly because it mentioned it wouldn’t use the GTI designation for the ID.3 sizzling hatch model).

VW mentioned that the brand new ID. GTI will use this basic naming conference, regardless of the shortage of a gasoline injection system, changing “injection” with “intelligence.” The “I’ now stands for “clever pondering within the sports-car world,” says VW.

The ID. GTI idea is predicated on the ID. 2all, a small and cheap electrical hatchback. The 2all is anticipated to begin underneath 25,000 Euros (~$27k USD), however VW doesn’t have a value but for the ID. GTI. We’re positive it is going to be extra, but when it’s ranging from a cheap platform to start with, that’s signal.

Apart from that, we don’t have quite a lot of specs. It’s an inch taller than the Golf GTI, two inches wider, and 7 inches shorter in size (although with simply 1 inch shorter wheelbase). Because of this shorter size, it has barely much less rear cargo house than the Golf GTI, however extra cargo house with the seats folded down, and it sits on barely bigger tires and wheels. And people are about all of the specs that VW shared – nothing powertrain-related, but.

We do know that the ID. GTI idea is deliberate to be front-wheel drive, just like the 2all is. And it’ll have what VW is asking “GTI Expertise Management,” a brand new system that VW says will enable drivers to regulate numerous points of auto dynamics. This contains including sounds and simulated shift factors – permitting you to faux that your automotive is working on a loud fuel engine with a slim energy band as an alternative of a superior electrical one, if that takes your fancy for some bizarre motive.

The outside has numerous sport-oriented touches, like a spoiler and large rear diffuser, entrance tow hooks, and black facet skirts.

Whereas it’s solely an idea, every thing concerning the exterior seems fairly lifelike. We will think about the ultimate model will look considerably like this.

On the inside, nevertheless, issues get a bit of totally different. VW says it desires to include an intensive augmented-reality heads-up show.

VW hasn’t launched images of this inside, however has launched idea renderings of it. It seems fairly futuristic – maybe excessively so.

However then, these are renders, so who is aware of what the true factor will appear to be. We will think about the game seats and 12.9-inch touchscreen show will make it to manufacturing, and maybe some type of HUD, however possibly rather less excessive than these idea drawings recommend.

VW has mentioned that “the choice has been taken that [the ID. GTI] will go into manufacturing,” however thus far we’ve no date for when this can occur. The idea seems pretty far alongside, by way of exterior design, however the inside is clearly not completed, nor can the powertrain be completed since we’ve no particulars on it (apart from that the battery with be low-slung within the automobile, serving to decrease the middle of gravity, as has turn out to be the usual in EVs). So we don’t know when to count on it, but it surely will occur, ultimately, says VW.

Electrek’s Take

We had been all fairly excited after we noticed this hit the newsroom, particularly with this 12 months’s proliferation of gigantic 3-row electrical land yachts which appear to be taking the place of something reasonably-sized. It’s good to see an organization providing one thing in the wrong way, and particularly in a phase, sizzling hatches, that’s famend by fans for providing little compromise between enjoyable and practicality.

A number of years in the past Mercedes introduced an electrical EQA sizzling hatch, however later stole the EQA identify and gave it to yet one more bland crossover SUV that seems like actually each different automotive on the highway, and we’ve heard nothing extra concerning the superior electrical sizzling hatch idea. As you possibly can inform, we’re nonetheless miffed about that.

So right here’s an opportunity to get an actual electrical sizzling hatch, from the model that defines the phase, at what looks like it may be an affordable value, and with a manufacturing dedication – however with an unspecified date, and few particulars in any other case.

It’s excellent news on stability, and we will’t wait to listen to extra. So long as this one doesn’t go the best way of the EQA.

Although I’ll say that one odd factor about that is the front-wheel drive structure. Many sizzling hatches use front-wheel drive, however it is because a fuel engine can go underneath the hood and drive the entrance wheels, that means no want for a driveshaft to switch torque to the rear wheels, saving house and complexity in a small automobile.

With an electrical automotive, smaller electrical motors will be put wherever, and a driveshaft isn’t obligatory. So a rear- or all-wheel drive model could be fairly simple to do, and would give efficiency advantages as properly (driving the rear wheels makes a automotive faster, as a result of weight transfers to the rear underneath acceleration).

Entrance-wheel drive has advantages for less-experienced drivers and in low-traction situations, however for a performance-oriented fanatic automobile just like the GTI, we’d like to see rear- or all-wheel drive choices sooner or later.

However there’s nonetheless time to go earlier than this automotive hits the highway, and we don’t actually know any specs but, so possibly that is within the plans. We’re definitely wanting ahead to listening to extra about this, as a result of we’d like some extra enjoyable, reasonably priced hatchback EVs, particularly with the Bolt EV going out of manufacturing this 12 months (although Chevy says it will come again ultimately).

What do you consider the GTI idea? Tell us within the feedback.