Volkswagen ID. GTI concept showcases future of VW hot hatches

• The first Volkswagen EV with GTI branding
• Showcased as a hot variant of the Polo-sized ID.2
• At least 220bhp and a sub-seven-second 0-62mph time

Volkswagen has a rich history of hot hatches, having helped pioneer the pocket rocket class with the Golf GTI back in 1976. The brand has just revealed the Volkswagen ID. GTI concept, which previews the future of its hot hatch aspirations for the electric age as a variant of its upcoming ID. 2 electric supermini.

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While there are already a few hot versions of Volkswagen’s electric ID. cars badged ‘GTX’, the German marque’s CEO, Thomas Schäfer, says the well-known GTI branding should live on into the brand’s future and make the transition to electric vehicles.

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The ID. GTI, like the ID.2all concept on which it’s based, gets short overhangs and a long wheelbase, despite a short overall length. At each corner of the ID. GTI Concept sits chunky 20-inch alloy wheels, and there are more aggressive touches to its styling, such as a large rear diffuser, longer front splitter, and more prominent spoiler. The trademark red ‘GTI’ line now sits below the headlights, where the grille would be if it was a petrol model.

Some bold design cues of note on the concept include hidden rear door handles – with the production model likely to be offered in five-door configuration only, this should help to create the illusion of a sporty three-door hatchback, just like the original Golf GTI over 45 years ago.

It’s still early days for the ID. GTI concept, so there are no official performance or powertrain stats, but previous rumours suggest a power figure of over 220bhp and a 0-62mph time of just below seven seconds. The ID. GTI will get a version of the existing Golf GTI’s electronic front differential, modified to work for an EV.

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A full interior is yet to be realised for the ID. GTI concept, but preliminary sketches show a performance-inspired evolution of the ID.2all Concept’s clean design bathed in red lighting and finishings. There’s a 12.9-inch infotainment screen in the centre and some physical switches for the windows, heating and ventilation controls and volume. The hot EV concept also gets bucket seats and an augmented-reality head-up display projecting lap time information, although we wouldn’t expect this to make production.

Given that the Volkswagen ID.2 is set for a 2026 debut, we’d expect a production version of the GTI variant to land hot on its heels, or in early 2027. There’s no word on pricing, but with Volkswagen aiming to give the ID. 2 a price tag from around £22,000, the desirable GTI will command a sizeable premium over that model.

Read about Volkswagen’s existing hot GTX version of the ID.3 as part of our full in-depth review of the electric hatchback here…