The GTI for a new era: 50 years after the debut of the first GTI, Volkswagen is now presenting the first all-electric model with the world-famous badge – the completely newly developed ID. Polo GTI with an output of 166 kW (226 PS). It is a powerful and highly agile compact sports car that passes the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in 6.8 seconds – but at the same time is suitable for everyday driving. Like with the first GTI in 1976, the drive power of the new ID. Polo GTI is also transferred to the wheels via the front axle – a maximum of 290 Newton-metres that is available at lightning speed. This power is perfectly proportioned thanks to the electronically controlled front differential lock equipped as standard. The world premiere of the ID. Polo GTI took place today, Friday, at the 24h race at the Nürburgring. Pre-sales are scheduled to start in Germany this autumn at a price of just under 39,000 euros.
With its clear design, GTI features and powerful front-wheel drive, the ID. Polo GTI continues the legacy of the first Golf GTI from 1976. These unique hereditary characteristics have been visually and technically reinterpreted. In addition to the front differential lock, the standard technical equipment includes the adaptive DCC sports suspension and progressive steering specially developed for the GTI. Furthermore, the ID. Polo GTI’s high output of 166 kW (226 PS) and maximum torque (290 Nm) are generally available at all times to deliver particularly dynamic handling and that unique GTI feeling. As a result, the first electric GTI also feels like a quintessential GTI.
Another new feature is the GTI driving profile, which is activated by a button on the sports steering wheel. All drive and chassis systems (including the power delivery of the electric motor, the standard-equipment progressive steering and the adaptive DCC sports chassis also on board as standard) are switched to maximum sportiness with a single click. The cockpit also changes to a specific colour and graphics scheme.
A GTI from Volkswagen embodies clear design – timeless, with balanced proportions and powerful. This was already the case with the first Golf GTI in 1976 and was just as true for the first Polo GTI in 2006. The new ID. Polo GTI seamlessly follows on from this. In terms of body layout, it follows the new Volkswagen Pure Positive design language, creating a compact sports car with a clear and powerful stance atop its standard-equipment 19-inch alloy wheels. The iconic red stripe is a distinctive feature at the front. It has served as a hallmark of this sporty brand since the first Golf GTI. On the ID. Polo GTI too, the stripe stretches over almost the entire width, with a 3D GTI logo incorporated on the left. An LED light strip, the illuminated VW badge and the new standard-equipment IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are positioned above this as a horizontal bar. The air intake with a characteristic GTI honeycomb pattern is located slightly lower down. Two red-painted vertical elements are incorporated in the outer areas. Their design resembles the towing eyes from motor sports.
The ID. Polo GTI silhouette is powerful and clear. It reveals the most well-known Volkswagen design feature: the C-pillar inspired by the first Golf. This states clearly that this is a Volkswagen. A stabilising element is the straight-lined window shoulder, and the rear end also has a striking design: as a unique feature, the GTI is equipped with a roof spoiler that is divided in the middle. The ID. Polo GTI’s light design is characterised by the standard-equipment IQ.LIGHT version of the tail light clusters, each with two outer three-dimensional LED elements. On the GTI, the transparent areas between them and the VW logo are also illuminated in red. The two-part black rear diffuser has a muscular appearance. In short: even without the three legendary letters on the rear, this model is clearly recognisable as a GTI.
Red and black dominate the interior of the ID. Polo GTI. The colours can be found in a number of features in the cockpit landscape. These include the contrasting red topstitching on the new GTI sports steering wheel and the red marking incorporated in the steering wheel rim at 12 o’clock, similar to the marking commonly used in motor sports. A narrow red stripe also extends across the entire width of the dash panel. Red topstitching is also used in the doors and on the front outer edges of the standard-equipment premium sport seats (front) and rear seats. The inner surfaces of the seats are upholstered in a fabric that reinterprets the legendary tartan check of historic GTI models. The red GTI emblem is integrated into the integral head restraints on the front sports seats. This can also be found – illuminated – on the multi-function sports steering wheel. The two paddles for adjusting the recuperation level are another new steering wheel feature.
GR Snippets
- GTI of a new era – the new ID. Polo GTI1/2, the first all-electric model in the 50-year success story of the GTI, is making its debut
- GTI power for new small car – the 166 kW (226 PS) ID. Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and enables high cornering dynamics
- GTI equipment designed for driving pleasure – the ID. Polo GTI comes as standard2 with an electronically controlled front axle differential lock, adaptive DCC chassis, 19-inch alloy wheels, premium sports seats and IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights
- New GTI driving profile – drive and chassis systems are switched to dynamic mode at the touch of a button, and the cockpit also changes to a specific colour and graphics scheme
- Long range and suitable for everyday use – the 52 kWh battery of the ID. Polo GTI enables a WLTP range of up to 4243 km; luggage compartment volume of up to 1,240 litres
