Volkswagen unveils its first electric GTI; no US sales opportunity

When Volkswagen launched the first Golf GTI in Europe in 1976, it may not have been the first hot hatchback, but it was a golden version. Unlike in America, where large cars were cheap and affordable, Europe’s smaller roads and smaller car costs made cars a little cheaper in terms of both size and fuel. Small, front-wheel-drive hatchbacks were the answer, but they weren’t exactly fun. The GTI changed that perception with a more powerful engine, more powerful handling, and sleeker styling, paving the way for the next 50 years. And today, VW revealed its first electric GTI.

While the new EV may be inspired by the original Golf GTI, it’s a fraction smaller than that Current golf– meet the VW ID. Polo GTI. VW has given its EVs GTX IDs so far, but this is the first to get a GTI badge.

Like the 1976 original, the new car has front-wheel drive, but the ID. The Polo GTI’s electric motor produces 222 hp (166 kW) – more than double the output of the 1.6 L engine in the old car. There is a 52 kWh battery that provides a WLTP estimate of 236 miles (424 km), DC speeds up to 105 kW and a 10-80 percent time of 24 minutes.

VW introduced the electric GTI concept last year; it is now about to be made.

Credit: Volkswagen

Zero to 62 mph (100 km) in 6.8 seconds is faster than fast, and still faster than a 20th century VW GTI. At 3,395 lbs (1,540 kg) it weighs more than most hatchbacks of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.