The ID. Polo GTI: the first all-electric GTI

A Volkswagen GTI embodies a clear and timeless design, with balanced proportions and a powerful presence. This was the case with the first Golf GTI in 1976, was just as true for the first Polo GTI in 2006, and now the new ID. Polo GTI carries on this legacy.

Power, torque and acceleration

The newly developed ID. Polo GTI is a powerful and highly agile compact sports car that features an output of 226 PS and goes from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. All that power is perfectly proportioned thanks to the electronically controlled front differential lock that comes as standard.

The GTI driving profile

Another new feature is the GTI driving profile, which can be activated with the simple press of a button on the sports steering wheel. With a single click, the cockpit changes to a sporty colour and graphics scheme, while all drive and chassis systems are switched to maximum sportiness. This includes the power delivery of the electric motor, the progressive steering and the adaptive DCC sports chassis.

Front differential lock, DCC suspension and progressive steering

In addition to the front differential lock, the standard technical equipment includes the adaptive DCC sports suspension and progressive steering specially developed for the GTI. The progressive steering system makes it easier to turn at low speeds and sharpens your handling at higher speeds. Furthermore, the ID. Polo GTI’s high output of 226 PS and maximum torque of 290 Nm are always available to deliver particularly dynamic handling and that unique GTI feeling. As a result, the first electric GTI feels like a quintessential GTI.

The ID. Polo GTI features a 52-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, which has a WLTP range of up to 262 miles. Thanks to its particularly constant charging curve, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 24 minutes at DC quick-charging stations with up to 105 kW.

The red stripe and the front end

The iconic red stripe is a distinctive feature at the front, serving as a hallmark of this sporty brand since the first Golf GTI. This red stripe nearly stretches across the entire width of the ID. Polo GTI and features a 3D GTI logo incorporated on the left. The LED light strip, illuminated VW badge and new standard IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are positioned above this stripe, as a horizontal bar. The air intake features the classic GTI honeycomb pattern and on either side of that are red elements that are designed to resemble towing eyes from motorsports.

Silhouette, roof spoiler and rear

The ID. Polo GTI silhouette is powerful and clearly Volkswagen, revealing an iconic design feature: the
C-pillar inspired by the first Golf. The straight-lined window shoulder serves as a stabilising element, while the rear end has its own striking design. The black two-part rear diffuser adds to its powerful look, plus as a unique feature, the GTI is equipped with a roof spoiler that’s split down the middle. The transparent areas between the taillight clusters and the VW logo are also illuminated in red. Each cluster is equipped with standard IQ.LIGHT, which features two LED elements with a three-dimensional design. To put it simply, even without the three legendary letters on the rear, this model is unmistakably a GTI.

Sports seats and the tartan check, reimagined

The interior of the ID. Polo GTI is dominated with red and black, which can be found across multiple cockpit features, like the narrow red stripe that crosses the entire width of the dash panel. Red topstitching can be found in the doors, and along the outer edges of the standard premium sport front seats and the rear seats. The inner surfaces of the seats are upholstered with a reinterpretation of the legendary tartan check from historic GTI models. A red GTI emblem is integrated into the head restraints on the front sports seats.

Steering wheel, screens and the retro display

The multi-function sports steering wheel has contrasting red topstitching, an illuminated red GTI emblem, and a red marker at 12 o’clock, similar to the marking commonly used in motor sports. A new feature of the steering wheel is two paddle controls, which allow you to adjust the recuperation level for regenerative braking. The landscape of the Digital Cockpit in the ID. Polo GTI has a clear and balanced layout, with the digital instruments and infotainment display arranged on the same visual axis. The Digital Cockpit measures 10.25 inches diagonally, and the touch display for the infotainment system in the centre of the dash panel measures 12.9 inches diagonally. By pressing the View button on the steering wheel, the retro display can be activated, which transforms the digital instruments and interior displays to resemble the style of the Golf Mk 1. When playing music in retro mode, whatever song is currently playing appears as an old-school cassette.

Boot space and passenger room

The ID. Polo GTI is a small space miracle thanks to the particularly compact drive modules. The interior provides more headroom and width giving passengers 19 mm more space than the Polo GTI with a combustion engine. The biggest change is the boot volume, which has grown by more than 25%, going from 351 to 441 litres, and with the rear seats folded down, that jumps to 1,240 litres verses 1,125 litres in the Polo GTI. This extra space makes the ID. Polo GTI more of a dynamic all-rounder than any of its predecessors.

Towing and bike carriers

The detachable ball coupling offers additional versatility, and with a drawbar load of 75 kg it can easily handle a bike carrier with two e-bikes. This small Volkswagen can also pull something heavier, like motorbikes on a trailer, thanks to its towing capacity of up to 1.2 tonnes (braked, 12% gradient).

The optional equipment for the ID. Polo GTI includes features like the large panoramic glass roof or the premium sound system from Harman Kardon with 425 Watts of audio output, 10 speakers including centre speaker for clear voice transmission, and a subwoofer for ultra deep bass. The front seats can be electronically adjusted 12 ways, and the driver seat also has a memory function, which will save your preferred seat settings. A new feature in this segment is the pneumatic massage function for the front seats, which makes every drive feel luxurious. For drivers who prefer a particularly dynamic experience, a 19-inch premium sports tyre (235/40/19), the Bridgestone Potenza Sport specifically developed for the ID. Polo GTI, will be available as an option.

Thanks to MEB+ and new software, the ID. Polo GTI comes with a host of state-of-the-art assist systems as standard. The next generation of Travel Assist is additionally available as optional equipment, and since this system uses online data, it has been renamed ‘Connected Travel Assist’. The system for assisted lateral and longitudinal guidance can now also detect red traffic lights and automatically brake the ID. Polo GTI to a standstill within the system limits. This system can manage your speed, keeping a safe preset distance between you and the vehicle ahead, while the front camera and radar sensors actively centre your car in its lane. Another new feature is one-pedal driving for rapid deceleration through control of the accelerator alone.

The ID. Polo GTI uses Volkswagen's MEB+ platform with front-wheel drive. The battery has a capacity of 52 kWh and a maximum DC charging capacity of 105 kW. The WLTP consumption rate is 16.4-14.4 kWh/62 miles, with a range of up to 262 miles. The ID. Polo GTI produces 226 PS, giving it a top speed of 108 mph, going from 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The ID. Polo GTI is 4,096mm long, 1,816mm wide and 1,513mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,599mm, and the minimum EU curb weight without the driver is 1,540 kg. In the UK the ID. Polo GTI will cost £35,295 (OTR RRP inc VAT).

Half a century after the first Golf GTI, Volkswagen is bringing the GTI feeling into the age of electric mobility for the very first time with the ID. Polo GTI. This dynamic compact model combines cutting-edge technologies and a crisp design, following in the footsteps of the original GTI from 1976. Just like the first Golf, the ID. Polo is the perfect starting point for creating a GTI: with lightweight front-wheel drive, a powerful 226 PS electric motor, muscular proportions, an appealing design and everyday practicality. The ID. Polo GTI delivers a fresh and powerful GTI feeling, as maximum output and torque are available instantly. The exterior and interior also feature classic GTI insignia that are newly interpreted and further developed for the electric era.

The ID. Polo GTI be available for order in the UK later this year.