VW has proven an electrical model of its traditional GTI sizzling hatch. It’s only a idea to date, however VW says the all-electric ID. GTI is deliberate for eventual manufacturing.
The electrical VW ID. GTI idea was unveiled immediately prematurely of the IAA auto present in Munich, Germany.
The unique Golf GTI, launched in 1976, was the primary VW to make use of gas 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 common as an inexpensive however fast sizzling hatch, defining the section.
So lending this designation to a future electrical mannequin is a giant deal, exhibiting that VW thinks the approaching electrical ID. GTI might be worthy of that heritage (particularly because it stated it wouldn’t use the GTI designation for the ID.3 sizzling hatch model).
VW stated that the brand new ID. GTI will use this traditional naming conference, regardless of the dearth of a gas injection system, changing “injection” with “intelligence.” The “I’ now stands for “clever pondering within the sports-car world,” says VW.
The ID. GTI idea relies on the ID. 2all, a small and cheap electrical hatchback. The 2all is predicted to begin underneath 25,000 Euros (~$27k USD), however VW doesn’t have a value but for the ID. GTI. We’re positive will probably be extra, but when it’s ranging from a cheap platform to start with, that’s a very good signal.
Apart from that, we don’t have plenty 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). On account of this shorter size, it has barely much less rear cargo area than the Golf GTI, however extra cargo area 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 looking “GTI Expertise Management,” a brand new system that VW says will enable drivers to regulate numerous facets of car dynamics. This consists of including sounds and simulated shift factors – permitting you to faux that your automobile is working on a loud gasoline engine with a slim energy band as a substitute of a superior electrical one, if that takes your fancy for some bizarre cause (Replace: VW says the faux gearshifts received’t make it to manufacturing, however the sounds doubtless will).
The outside has numerous sport-oriented touches, like a spoiler and large rear diffuser, entrance tow hooks, and black aspect skirts.
Whereas it’s solely an idea, all the pieces concerning the exterior seems fairly real looking. We are able to think about the ultimate model will look considerably like this.
On the inside, nonetheless, issues get just a little totally different. VW says it desires to include an intensive augmented-reality heads-up show.
VW hasn’t launched pictures 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 actual factor will appear to be. We are able to think about the game seats and 12.9-inch touchscreen show will make it to manufacturing, and maybe some type of HUD, however perhaps rather less excessive than these idea drawings recommend.
VW has stated that “the choice has been taken that [the ID. GTI] will go into manufacturing,” however to date now we have no date for when it will occur. The idea seems pretty far alongside, when it comes to exterior design, however the inside is clearly not completed, nor can the powertrain be completed since now we have no particulars on it (aside from that the battery with be low-slung within the car, 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, however it can occur, finally, says VW.
Electrek’s Take
We had been all fairly excited after we noticed this hit the newsroom, particularly with this yr’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 other way, and particularly in a section, sizzling hatches, that’s famend by fans for providing little compromise between enjoyable and practicality.
A couple of years in the past Mercedes introduced an electrical EQA sizzling hatch, however later stole the EQA identify and gave it to one more bland crossover SUV that appears like actually each different automobile on the street, 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 section, at what looks as if it could be an inexpensive 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 are able to’t wait to listen to extra. So long as this one doesn’t go the way in which 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’s because a gasoline 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 area and complexity in a small car.
With an electrical automobile, smaller electrical motors will be put wherever, and a driveshaft isn’t essential. So a rear- or all-wheel drive model can be fairly straightforward to do, and would give efficiency advantages as effectively (driving the rear wheels makes a automobile 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 car just like the GTI, we’d like to see rear- or all-wheel drive choices in some unspecified time in the future.
However there’s nonetheless time to go earlier than this automobile hits the street, and we don’t actually know any specs but, so perhaps 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, inexpensive hatchback EVs, particularly with the Bolt EV going out of manufacturing this yr (although Chevy says it can come again finally).
What do you consider the GTI idea? Tell us within the feedback.
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.