Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI: The Legendary Name Goes Electric
After the ID. Polo, Volkswagen presents its GTI variant. This is a much-anticipated version, as it marks Volkswagen's first electric GTI. It signals the manufacturer's ambition in the electric vehicle market with this city car.
After the ID. Polo, Volkswagen presents its GTI variant. This is a much-anticipated version, as it marks Volkswagen's first electric GTI. It signals the manufacturer's ambition in the electric vehicle market with this city car. A new era begins at Volkswagen.
The First Electric GTI
Here we are in a world where names like Turbo or GTI (Grand Tourisme Injection) are applied to electric cars. Ultimately, the world of combustion vehicles will continue to exist through electric cars. Volkswagen was the first to use GTI in its lineup in 1976, but when it comes to electric, Peugeot was the first to launch with its e-208 GTI, which we are still waiting for in the lion brand's lineup.
The ID. Polo is thus Volkswagen's first electric GTI. It carries the weight of a heavy legacy and must not disappoint. It features a style inspired by its predecessors, notably the red stripe in the grille and under the headlights. The design also gains in presence with redesigned bumpers and more muscular side skirts.
The wheels adopt a design that pays homage to the Golf GTI Pirelli. Inside, the atmosphere is also very GTI. The ambiance is dark, with a play of materials around black and red tones. The sport seats feature upholstery inspired by the early GTIs from Volkswagen. There is suede on the door panels, a red stripe at 12 o'clock on the steering wheel, as well as a GTI button.
The GTI version of the ID. Polo retains the qualities of the new electric city car, offering ample space on board at 4.07 m and a gigantic trunk for the category (435 liters).
The Most Powerful Polo
There have always been sporty Polos in the Volkswagen catalog, but this ID. Polo GTI stands out. Not only is it the first electric GTI Polo, but it is also the most powerful. Even the Polo R WRC cannot surpass it, despite using the 2.0 TSI petrol engine with 220 horsepower.
With 226 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque, the ID. Polo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 175 km/h. This is good, but not as good as a petrol Polo GTI, which achieves 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and can exceed 200 km/h in top speed. The Volkswagen ID. Polo features a limited-slip differential on the front axle and adaptive DCC suspension, a first for a Polo!
Regarding the battery, it has a capacity of 52 kWh with NMC chemistry. It allows for a range of 424 km for this sporty version, which is only 5% less than the most enduring version of the ID. Polo, which boasts 450 km.
The price has not yet been announced, and orders will open at the end of the year. If the ID. Polo GTI is not radical enough for you, there are whispers of a Clubsport version in the works with 286 horsepower and a simulated gearbox like that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which is particularly impressive.
