The first electric GTI is here.
Hot on the (w)heels of the new Volkswagen ID. Polo, VW has pulled the covers off the fast range-topper at a 24-hour race at the famous Nurburgring circuit.
The Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI mixes the classic GTI formula with electrification and a host of high-end standard equipment. It all sounds promising, especially because the mechanically related Cupra Raval VZ has been getting rave reviews.
VW ID. Polo GTI performance
The ID. Polo GTI has 226hp and front-wheel drive – a potentially lively combination.
A 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds almost exactly matches the petrol-powered Polo GTI. The top speed is 108mph – up from 99mph in the standard ID. Polo.
To control the power, the ID. Polo GTI gets an electric front diff lock as standard, as well as VW’s DCC system (Dynamic Chassis Control, or adaptive suspension). There’s also a new GTI driving mode that turns everything up to its sportiest setting.
Premium Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres are available as an option, along with a panoramic sunroof and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Range and charging
Like higher-spec ID. Polo versions, the GTI uses a 52kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery. You’ll see up to 263 miles of range if you drive carefully, and much less if you stick it in GTI mode and drive hard.
It’ll fast charge at up to 105kW, which equates to a 10-80% charge in 24 minutes thanks to, VW says, a particularly constant charging curve.
Styling
The ID. Polo GTI leans heavily on classic GTI styling cues. There’s a red stripe, a red GTI badge and a honeycomb grille at the front, and a big spoiler and diffuser around the back. The 19-inch wheels are standard, and their centre caps feature a nod to VW's old golf-ball gearlever.
As the range-topping ID. Polo, the GTI gets the uprated Matrix LED headlights, plus illuminated strips and VW logos front and rear.
The red vertical accents on the grille are inspired by a racing car’s visible tow hooks.
Interior
The red-and-black theme continues on the inside, which is full of sporty details. A new GTI steering wheel includes a red 12 o'clock marker (another inspiration from motor racing) and red stitching. More red thread is on the doors and on the edges of the front sports seats, while the centre stripe is inspired by the tartan pattern that’s been used on GTIs in the past.
The 12.9-inch touchscreen includes a specific theme that comes on when the GTI button is pressed, and you can see pertinent driving information and a lap timer.
As with the regular ID. Polo, boot space stands at 441 litres, or 1,240 litres with the seats down. Both are around 100 litres up on the petrol Polo GTI. You can even tow 1,200kg with the ID. Polo GTI if you’re so inclined.
Price and release date
Volkswagen will start taking orders for the ID. Polo GTI in Germany in autumn. UK sales are likely to start a couple of months later. Prices will start from ‘under €39,000’ in VW’s home market, which is the equivalent of around £34,000 here.
Prefer a petrol-powered Polo?
Shop used Volkswagen Polo cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Volkswagen Polo review.
