THE NEW version of one of Volkswagen’s most iconic cars is already turning heads, even before it hits the road.
The company’s CEO, Thomas Schäfer, recently spoke about the upcoming car after he had a “mind-blowing” experience test-driving a prototype.
Volkswagen AGVolkswagen is preparing to launch an all-electric version of its hot hatch GTI[/caption] GettyCEO Thomas Schafer claims that the EV GTI will be a “monster car” (stock image)[/caption]The Germany-based automaker is preparing to launch an all-electric version of its iconic Golf GTI.
Schäfer told Autocar the model is shaping up to be a “monster car.”
“We have driven a few prototypes that we have built on the new setup, it is mind-blowing,” Schafer told Autocar.
“It will be a real go-kart,” he added, echoing comments from other VW executives.
Volkswagen first teased the idea of a fully electric GTI last year.
And now, Schafer is making bold claims about the performance and feel of the prototype.
He says the team is focused on how the EV GTI “feels, sounds, and handles.”
A “whole group” of future GTI-badged cars is in the pipeline, he revealed.
The EV GTI is expected to lead that pack, but won’t arrive until the end of the decade.
The current gas-powered Golf GTI will stick around through 2028 or 2029, giving buyers something to drive in the meantime.
And when the electric one lands, it will keep a feature that car enthusiasts have begged automakers not to ditch: front-wheel drive.
The GTI has always been front-wheel drive since it launched in 1976.
Despite new tech making rear-wheel drive easier than ever for EVs, VW is keeping the GTI’s traditional setup.
“This is what a GTI is, has always been and, at least for the foreseeable future, will be,” Schafer said.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
Convenient (when charging at home) Cheaper (depending on state or city) Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts Great for commuting Reduced CO2 emissions Federal and state tax incentives More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)EV CONS:
Higher initial cost Higher insurance rates More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts) Low resale value High depreciation rates Lack of charging infrastructure Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times) Poor winter and summer performance Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources Range anxietyGAS PROS:
Highly developed refueling infrastructure Fast refueling Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration Established repair industry Lower initial cost Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines Cheaper refueling, depending on the locationGAS CONS:
Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum) Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases Higher repair costs Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and countySource: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
While some drivers prefer rear-wheel drive for handling and fun, VW engineers believe the new GTI doesn’t need to change its roots.
Modern tuning and torque vectoring tech help balance out older FWD complaints like understeer and torque steer.
And Schäfer says the EV GTI is being fine-tuned to deliver the familiar thrills that make it a fan favorite.
VW executive Kai Grunitz said last year, “With a GTI, what’s more important than power is drivability.”
“I’ve driven a prototype and it’s really amazing,” he added.
Grunitz also pushed back on the idea that it needed massive horsepower numbers.
“Do we need 300 or 350 bhp?” he asked, saying that a 280-horsepower GTI could still feel like a blast.
The current GTI puts out 240 horsepower.
Schefer’s latest comments suggest VW might be pushing the next-gen model even further.
But the company says the feel of the car, not just the specs, is what matters most.
Volkswagen hopes its loyalty to GTI heritage will win back buyers, especially in the struggling US EV market.
The brand is planning a 50th anniversary edition of the gas GTI at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in June.
Meanwhile, the electric GTI brand is set to kick off in 2026 with the ID GTI – a hot version of the ID 2 supermini.
And by 2029, VW promises the next-generation electric GTI will finally hit showrooms.
Volkswagen AGVolkswagen first teased the idea of a fully electric GTI last year[/caption] Read More Details
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