THE SCOOP
It looks bright (and electric) for GTI and R.
HALLOWED INITIALS
Those famed three letters are making the electric switch, previewed first with the ID. GTI concept (pictured). The design study is essentially a performance version of the ID. 2all concept, which previews a car that’s confirmed for production in 2026. The GTI will follow around six months later with all the trimmings.
A NEW MAESTRO
VW design boss Andreas Mindt conceived the ID. 2all with a view to making a GTI version from the off. ‘I didn’t want to make it a boy-racer car. With some hot hatches, you feel embarrassed driving them – almost wanting to put a paper bag over your head. When you have a GTI, you shouldn’t feel the need to explain yourself.’
PUSHING THE LIMITS
Beneath the skin will be VW Group’s front-driven, neatly packaged MEB Entry platform that’ll also underpin the Cupra Raval. For the ID. 2 GTI, the team want to apply a locking front differential like the one seen on the Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport. They’re also floating the idea of including synthetic gearshifts like on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
THE GTI HALLMARKS
Mindt and his team are keen to keep the GTI spirit alive, with the ID. 2 GTI expected to have several links to past fast Golfs. Red trimmings and wheels that ape the Mk1 GTI are likely and, inside, tartan seats remain. The golfball-textured detail also returns – this time on a large dial on the centre console that will control various functions.
FROM THE SOURCE
VW boss Thomas Schäfer confirmed the upcoming Golf 9 himself: ‘There will be a Golf, and it’ll be a true Golf in terms of packaging and driveability – it’ll be in the line-up we are proposing up to 2028.’ The new Golf will be spun out of VW’s Project Trinity, which will provide it with the next level of driving tech and e
