Volkswagen Opens Order Books for Its First Electric GTI, the ID. Polo GTI

Volkswagen has begun taking pre-orders for the ID. Polo GTI, marking the first time the legendary GTI badge has appeared on a fully electric model. The brand timed the launch to coincide with the GTI nameplate’s 50th anniversary, framing the compact hot hatch as the start of a fresh chapter for its performance line. Pricing for the new arrival starts at 39,995 euros, which works out to roughly $45,000 at current exchange rates.

The ID. Polo GTI keeps a front-wheel-drive layout, echoing the original Golf GTI that debuted back in 1976. A front-mounted electric motor produces 222 horsepower (166 kW) and 213 lb-ft of torque, enough to push the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Volkswagen has also fitted an electronically controlled transverse differential lock on the front axle to help distribute power evenly, which should sharpen cornering and low-speed maneuverability.

Visually, the car leans hard into GTI tradition. Expect the signature honeycomb detailing, a red accent strip across the nose, and 19-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Inside, the cabin goes dark with red sport accents, a new GTI-specific steering wheel, and premium sport seats. A 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit pairs with a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, and a quirky “Retro Display” mode reshapes both screens to mimic the first-generation Golf’s instruments, complete with cassette-era audio styling. A dedicated GTI driving profile, triggered by a steering-wheel button, lets drivers instantly recalibrate the drivetrain, steering, and suspension for maximum response.

The battery setup mirrors the standard ID. Polo: a 52 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt pack delivering up to 431 km (267 miles) of WLTP range. DC fast charging tops out at 105 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% top-up in roughly 24 minutes. Dimensionally, the car measures 4,096 mm long, 1,816 mm wide, and 1,514 mm tall on a 2,599 mm wheelbase — essentially the footprint of the combustion Polo. Thanks to compact drive modules and a flat battery layout, though, it offers 19 mm more interior room than the gas-powered Polo GTI, and cargo capacity with the rear seats folded grows to 1,240 liters versus the gasoline model’s 1,125 liters. For reference, the standard ID. Polo starts at 24,995 euros. Volkswagen has said a more powerful ID.3 GTI — its first rear-wheel-drive GTI — will follow, with pre-orders scheduled to open in early 2027.