Volkswagen shows its first electric GTI; there’s no chance of US sales

When Volkswagen introduced the first Golf GTI in Europe in 1976, it might not have been the first hot hatchback, but it quickly became the gold standard version. Unlike the US, where larger cars were cheaper and fuel was also cheaper, smaller European roads and even smaller car buying budgets required vehicles to be slightly more economical in both size and fuel consumption. Small, front-wheel-drive hatchbacks were the answer, but they weren’t particularly exciting. The GTI changed that perception with a more powerful engine, sharper handling and subtle styling changes, creating a recipe for the next 50 years. And today, VW showed off its first electric GTI.

Although the new EV may be inspired by the original Golf GTI, it is one segment smaller than the existing Golf – meets the VW ID. Polo GTI. VW has given the GTX branding to a few of its ID EVs so far, but this is the first to get the GTI badge.

Like the original 1976 car, the new car has front-wheel drive, but the ID. The Polo GTI’s electric motor produces 222 hp (166 kW) – twice the output of the old car’s 1.6 L engine. It has a 52 kWh battery pack that offers a WLTP range estimate of 236 miles (424 km), with DC fast charging up to 105 kW with a 10-80 percent charge time of 24 minutes.

Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds is insanely fast, and it’s still faster than a 20th-century VW GTI. However, the curb weight of 3,395 pounds (1,540 kg) is significantly higher than that of hatchbacks of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.