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The Volkswagen GTI hot hatch has gone electric with a high-performance version of the pint-sized ID. Polo city car.
Electric Cars
Volkswagen has revealed its first GTI hot hatch with electric power, the ID. Polo GTI, ahead of its European launch from the second half of this year.
The German car giant has previously sold high-performance versions of its electric cars – including a 'GTX' version of the rear-wheel-drive ID.3 hatch – but it has never before combined battery power with the hallowed GTI name.
The ID. Polo GTI is similar in size to the petrol Polo GTI – set to be axed in Europe this year, but not confirmed to follow in Australia – and more powerful, but the weight of its battery makes it just as quick, if a touch slower, to accelerate.
Australian arrivals for the GTI and its regular ID. Polo sibling are yet to be locked in, but Volkswagen executives have previously expressed interest in the city hatch for local showrooms.
Volkswagen Australia has been contacted for an update on local availability, and the future of the petrol Polo GTI.
Powering the ID. Polo GTI is a single electric motor on the front axle producing 166kW and 290Nm, good for a claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, and a 175km/h top speed.
It compares to a 147kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in the Australian Polo GTI, for 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds, with European versions slightly quicker at 6.5sec, from a 152kW/320Nm engine.
The electric car weighs 1540kg in its lightest form, before the driver is added, compared to a quoted 1322kg tare for a petrol Polo GTI in Australia.
Energy is stored in a 52kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack delivering a claimed driving range in European WLTP testing of up to 424km.
DC charging at up to 105kW allows the battery to be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent full in 24 minutes, while 11kW AC home charging is also available.
Key to the promise of a more enjoyable driving experience is a GTI mode, activated via a button on the steering wheel, which stiffens the suspension, adds weight to the steering, and sharpens acceleration.
It also switches on synthesised noise intended to mimic the "sound of a combustion engine", though unlike a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, there is no simulation of a traditional dual-clutch transmission to go with it.
Reports claim this may be added with a future, 200kW-plus Clubsport edition, alongside a mechanical limited-slip differential in place of the regular GTI's electronically-controlled differential lock.
Alongside the simulated driving sound is a new low-speed chime to warn pedestrians of the car's presence, which plays in standard form at up to 25km/h, unless in Sport mode, when a more "charismatic" version is played at up to 50km/h.
Fitted to the ID. Polo GTI are adaptive dampers, new springs and anti-roll bars, sports brakes with discs front and rear – unlike even a 2.7-tonne ID. Buzz GTX performance people mover, which has rear drums – and tweaks to the front and rear axles for improved handling.
Variable-ratio sports steering is also available, such that Volkswagen claims the ID. Polo GTI – said to be 50 per cent stiffer in the body than a petrol Polo – is "more like a current Golf GTI than the [petrol] Polo GTI".
The electric Polo GTI is closely related to the ID. GTI concept revealed two years ago, and draws inspiration from classic GTI models over the past 50 years.
Styling changes compared to the regular ID. Polo include a new front bumper with vertical light strips, a red accent stripe and GTI branding, honeycomb grille inserts, and black side skirts.
The 19-inch alloy wheels on the vehicle pictured are the optional Wörthersee design, named after an annual GTI owners' festival in Austria, and loosely reminiscent of a golf ball's finish. A new rear roof spoiler and lower diffuser are also fitted.
Inside, the GTI scores a sports steering wheel with red 12 o'clock stripe, red highlights on the dashboard, red contrast stitching, and ArtVelours microfleece trim on the dashboard and door panels.
The same microfleece material is used alongside tartan-patterned fabric on the front sports seats, which are available with 12-way power adjustment and a massage function.
The GTI shares the regular model's 10.25-inch instrument display with selectable graphics, including a layout akin to a 1980s Golf, plus a 12.9-inch touchscreen housing a lap timer and other performance metrics.
Physical buttons are used for a row of air-conditioning controls and on the steering wheel, while a volume dial is also present, along with four window switches – a basic feature absent from the ID.3 GTX.
Order books for the 2027 Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI are due to open in Europe in the northern autumn (Australian spring) of 2026.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
