VW ID GTI already in testing with no fake gearshifts, while design boss hints at future electric R car with high-performance AWD chops

Volkswagen earlier this week gave us a glimpse at its future electric hot hatch in the ID GTI concept shown off at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. More recently, the company revealed to Autocar that the sporty compact hot hatch was already in testing as a functional prototype and will launch as a production vehicle in the coming years. 

While VW didn't share any images of the ID GTI it is testing, it did reveal some key information about the platform and battery it will use, as well as the upgrades it will make to the design of the car. First and foremost, VW reiterated its goal that the ID GTI must be an agile, driver's car, just like the Golf GTI always has been.

VW also added that the ID 2 MEB Entry platform that the ID GTI will be based on will receive some upgrades. While it will feature the same 56 kWh battery that grants the ID 2 450 km (~279 miles) of range, VW will upgrade the battery hardware and cooling system to ensure it can put out enough power for the upgraded motors.

Volkswagen's design boss, Andreas Mindt also revealed that the GTI brand will stand separately from the GTX and R branding, which will represent VW's standard and top-performing all-wheel-drive vehicles, respectively. Mindt also confirmed that there are R-branded EVs coming soon, which is an exciting prospect for fans of the Golf R.

Mindt also confirmed that the new ID GTI test unit is more compact than the ID GTI concept revealed at IAA Mobility earlier this week, coming in at just 4.1 metres in length. In addition, the production electric GTI will not ship with the simulated gearshifts that initially debuted in the ID GTI concept, although there will be simulated engine noise inspired by modern GTI vehicles. 

The production ID GTI is expected to be fully unveiled in 2026, with production starting in 2027, and, while pricing has not yet been announced, the ID 2 is expected to start at around €25,000 (~US$26,800). It wouldn't be unreasonable to see the ID GTI launch close to €30,000 (US$32,200).

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