Nearly a year has passed since Volkswagen announced its plan to create an electric GTI. The ID. GTI Concept is set to transition into a production model by 2026, targeting the European market. Volkswagen aspires to introduce this hot hatch to the United States at a $25,000 price point, though this remains a hopeful aspiration. Meanwhile, Motor1 Italy spoke with Volkswagen's top executive in Wolfsburg about the first GTI without a combustion engine. Thomas Schäfer emphasized that the electric GTI's suspension and chassis will surpass those of the current gas model, aiming to deliver a vehicle that is not only about performance but also more thrilling to drive. Schäfer also mentioned the inclusion of a "GTI e-sound," suggesting artificial engine noises through the speakers.

It is important to clarify that the ID. GTI Concept does not foreshadow an electric Golf GTI but a smaller model. The concept car showcased at last year's IAA Mobility in Munich was based on the ID. 2all, a Polo-sized electric hatchback. In Europe, this supermini is still available as a GTI with a combustion engine, featuring a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 204 horsepower. Prior to its discontinuation in 2023, the smaller up! GTI was equipped with a turbo three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine delivering 115 horsepower.

Another all-electric Golf, following the Mk7-based model, is not expected until the end of the decade with the release of the Mk9. The current Mk8 Golf with gas engines may continue until 2035, as Volkswagen does not exclude the possibility of selling two generations simultaneously for several years. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Golf, with the GTI set to celebrate the same milestone in 2025. Technically, the Scirocco GTI was the first GTI to enter production, debuting in the summer of 1976, while the Golf GTI was unveiled later that fall at the 1975 IAA show in Frankfurt.

At the GTI Fan Fest in Wolfsburg, Schäfer expressed to Motor1 Italy that Volkswagen aims to carry the "DNA spirit" of the gasoline GTI into the electric era. He assured that future electric GTIs will maintain high performance and iconic design, remaining instantly recognizable. Traditionally standing for Grand Touring Injection, a recent logo trademark suggests the "I" might be replaced by a lightning bolt for performance EVs. Schäfer also reiterated Volkswagen's goal to have electric cars comprise at least 80 percent of its annual sales in Europe by 2030. This comes as VW Group's luxury brands, including Bentley, Porsche, and Audi, have adjusted their EV goals, acknowledging that gas cars may persist longer than initially anticipated.