Volkswagen has opened pre-sales for the ID. Polo GTI, its first all-electric GTI, at a starting price of €39,995 (about $44,770) with 166 kW (222 hp) of output. The company launched the ID. Polo GTI pre-sale this week, positioning the front-wheel-drive hatchback as the electric continuation of the GTI line that began with the 1976 Golf GTI. According to Volkswagen, pricing and equipment specifications refer to the German market and may differ in other countries.
Highlights
- Performance: 166 kW (222 hp) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque, 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of 118 mph (190 km/h)
- Battery and range: 52 kWh net battery with up to 268 miles (431 km) of WLTP range
- Charging: Up to 105 kW DC, with a 10–80 percent charge in about 24 minutes, according to the company
- Cargo: 15.6 cubic feet (441 liters) of cargo space, up from 12.4 cubic feet (351 liters) in the combustion Polo GTI
Powertrain and Chassis
The ID. Polo GTI sends its power to the front wheels, like earlier GTI models. An electronically controlled front-axle transverse differential lock distributes torque between the front wheels, which Volkswagen says aids the car particularly in corners.
Standard chassis equipment includes a specially tuned progressive steering system and adaptive DCC sports suspension. Volkswagen says it set the 118 mph (190 km/h) top speed based on customer feedback.
What Does the GTI Driving Profile Do?
A new “GTI” driving profile, activated by a button on the sports steering wheel, tunes the electric drive, steering, and suspension for maximum sportiness. Selecting the profile also starts a dedicated GTI sound and switches the cockpit to its own color and graphic scheme.
Battery, Range, and Charging
The 52 kWh net battery delivers up to 268 miles (431 km) on the WLTP cycle. Combined power consumption is rated at 25.3–22.9 kWh per 100 miles (15.7–14.2 kWh/100 km).
The navigation system includes an e-route planner that schedules charging stops along a route. At DC fast chargers, the car accepts up to 105 kW, and Volkswagen attributes the roughly 24-minute 10–80 percent charge time to a constant charging curve.
Design and Interior
Exterior GTI cues include a red stripe across the front, the honeycomb grille pattern, and standard 19-inch alloy wheels. The car also gets IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, illuminated Volkswagen logos front and rear, a split roof-edge spoiler, and GTI lettering on the front, rear, and side sills.
Inside, the standard equipment includes:
- Top sports seats with a modern version of the traditional GTI check pattern
- Red accents, including contrasting seams and a 12 o’clock marking on the sports steering wheel
- Dual displays: a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and a 12.9-inch central infotainment screen on one visual axis
- Retro display mode with instrument graphics styled after a late Golf I, plus music playback shown as a cassette
Practicality and Options
Volkswagen says the compact electric drive components give passengers more interior room than the combustion Polo GTI. With the rear seatbacks folded, cargo space reaches 43.8 cubic feet (1,240 liters). An optional detachable tow hitch has a 165-pound (75 kg) tongue weight rating, enough for a bike carrier with two e-bikes.
Optional equipment includes:
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- 12-way power front seats with pneumatic massage
- Harman Kardon 425-watt sound system
- 19-inch premium sports tires developed for the car
- Connected Travel Assist, which provides lateral and longitudinal guidance within its system limits and can detect red traffic lights and brake the car to a stop
The pre-sale follows the launch of the standard ID. Polo and puts into production the electric GTI direction Volkswagen first showed with its ID. GTI Concept.
