New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept revealed

• New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept previews a future new GTI EV
• Proves the GTI brand still has a future in Volkswagen’s all-electric future
• Full GTI makeover, sporty chassis, punchy performance – and bosses have already confirmed it’s going into production
• Fully revealed in 2026 and prices could start from under £30,000

The new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept proves that the famous GTI badge has a future even as VW commits to going fully electric – and bosses have already confirmed a production version of this exciting hot hatch concept, based on the new Volkswagen ID. 2all show car, is in the works.

Showroom-ready versions of the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept won't arrive until 2026 or 2027, but it’s hopefully going to be worth the wait, as the designers go all-out to reinvent the GTI as an electric car.

An exciting alternative to a Volkswagen Polo GTI and the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI, the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept is a future rival for the MG4 EV XPower and the upcoming new MINI Cooper Electric. Other challengers may include the much-rumored Tesla Model 2, plus a whole host of other next-generation electric hot hatches.

Here's what you need to know about the exciting new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept.

New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept prices and release date

New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept prices are set to be surprisingly competitive. The new Volkswagen ID.2 has a target price of around £25,000, and there is talk of the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept boasting a starting price of under £30,000.

The new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept is still some way off, though. The new Volkswagen ID.2 is due to appear in 2025, with the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept set to be revealed in 2026, ahead of a likely on-sale date from 2027.  

New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept styling, interior and technology

The new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept has a really sporty appearance that looks authentically ‘GTI’ from every angle. It has what designers call ‘classic GTI’ proportions, with a long wheelbase and very short overhangs. Size-wise, it measures 4104mm long, 1840mm wide and 1499mm tall, placing it between the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept has an authentic GTI radiator grille, with bold red-stripe surround, plus a GTI logo. Naturally, there are LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. A hefty front bumper has honeycomb inserts and a lower splitter with matt black detailing. The air intakes are matt black too, just like the Mk1 Golf GTI.

Chunky side skirts add to the authentic appearance of the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept, as do the 20-inch alloy wheels which are modelled on the steel wheels of the original Golf GTI. There’s a GTI roof spoiler too, just as on every Golf GTI from the past 47 years.

Snazzy LED rear lights are finished in smoked red, and have a distinctive animated start-up and shutdown pattern. The Volkswagen logo is illuminated in red, complementing the white illuminated logo in the front grille. There’s a black rear diffuser too, mimicking the black bumpers of the original Golf GTI.

Official interior images of the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept have not yet been revealed, but VW says plenty of authentic GTI details will feature there too, from the three-spoke steering wheel, to the sports seats covered in checker ‘Jack-e’ upholstery (the original material was called ‘Jacky’).

A large digital dash display will offer plentiful GTI branding, and options include the opportunity to electronically replicate the instruments on classic Golf GTIs, from the Mk1 onwards.

A neat feature is the GTI Experience Control boasting a golf ball pattern, just like the manual gearknob of original Golf GTIs.

The new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept will, like all Golf GTIs, be practical as well. It is a full five-seater, with full five-door accessibility (the rear doorhandles are hidden), and the boot stretches to 490 litres even with the seats up – that’s 110 litres larger than a Golf GTI.

Fold the rear seats and a total of 1330 litres of stowage is on offer. There’s even an additional 50-litre stowage are underneath the rear bench seat.

New Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept electric motor, performance and range

Performance details for the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept have not yet been revealed. However, the firm has told us it will be front-wheel drive, like all classic GTIs. An all-wheel drive version is likely to be called GTX, with a super-powerful R derivative at the top of the range.

To handle the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept’s lightning-fast power delivery, a front axle differential lock will be used, masterminded by the Vehicle Dynamics Manager already seen on the current Volkswagen Golf GTI.

This setup allows there to be a dedicated GTI Experience Control on the centre console, calling up a range of different GTI profiles. The driver will be able to choose the characteristics of the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept, with adjustments to the drive system, running gear, steering, sound and even the simulated gearshift points.

Volkswagen says it will be able to mimic classic Golf GTI models such as the original 1976 Golf GTI Mk1, the 1986 Golf GTI 16v Mk2 or the special edition 2001 Golf GTI Mk4 25 Years.

Sporty handling will be enhanced by a suspension lowered by 20mm, combined with those large 20-inch wheels wearing 245/35 performance tyres.

It’s been confirmed that this car’s Volkswagen Group sister model, the new Cupra Raval, has a 226ps electric motor, and this tech is likely to be used in the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept. Expect 0-62mph performance in 6.9 seconds and, courtesy of a 56kWh battery, an EV range of around 275 miles.