Volkswagen has presented a brand new GTi in its ID range – where the ‘i' now represents intelligence, instead of fuel injection. At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, VW presented WhichEV with concrete insight into how it intends to bring this iconic label into the world of electric motoring.
With the new ID.2 likely to come in under €25,000, VW has given itself a bit of scope for a souped-up version where the price could still be under €30,000. This will be an important step, as the company has also committed to creating practical options in the under-€20,000 price sector. With new releases from Dacia, BYD and others coming soon – the German giant won't want to miss out on the mass market for EVs that will follow.
The GTi variant of the ID.2 will be based on a new evolution of VW's popular MEB platform, that has been specifically designed for smaller cars. It will offer front wheel drive. In its ‘non-GTi' form, that platform has enough battery power for a WLTP close to 280 miles while delivering 222 horsepower.
Andreas Mindt, Head of Design at Volkswagen Passenger Cars said, “This series gives a preview of the new design language of Volkswagen, which is based on the three pillars stability, likeability and excitement.”
The regular ID.2 can hit 60mph in around 7 seconds. From what we have seen with ‘performance' variants from other manufacturers (notably Stellantis), that figure will likely be just under 6 seconds in a GTi. While the 99mph top speed for a regular ID.2 is likely to be superseded by the GTi, it is unlikely to deliver much more than 120mph on the autobahn.
Size-wise, the boot is likely to be around 490 litres with the seats up, just over 1,300 litres with them down and if you collapse the front passenger seat back rest – you can carry a small amount of wood etc that is up to 2.2 metres long. Just 20cm shy of the 2.4 metres that you'd normally need for regular timber lengths.
There is a storm coming in the market – as competition is set to ramp up fiercely.
This year alone will see the introduction of the new ID.3, the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and the ID.7. This will be followed by a compact electric SUV in 2026 and, as mentioned, VW is also working on a sub €20,000 car. Combined, this will give the VW group one of the widest ranges electric cars available anywhere. VW has declared that it wants an 80% share of the EV market in Europe. That needs to be taken in context of companies like Hyundai committing $15 billion to achieve an overall 3rd place in the global EV market. It will be a struggle.
By 2033, at the latest, Volkswagen will produce only electric vehicles in Europe.
