Does Volkswagen just bury the gasoline GTIs?
- Published on 20/09/2026 15:38
With its 326 hp and its three historic letters, the Volkswagen ID.3 GTI electric claims the legacy of the Golf and the power record of the lineage.
Fifty years after the first Golf GTI, Volkswagen celebrates the event with a car that doesn’t burn a drop of gasoline. For fans of the badge, the birthday cake might have a strange taste. The new ID.3 GTI boasts 326 hp, 545 Nm, and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds. According to Volkswagen, no production GTI has ever been this powerful.
The real power play, however, takes place elsewhere. By moving from GTX to GTI, the electric compact takes on three letters that carry much more historical weight. The message seems clear: the electric vehicle can now claim to embody the popular sports car from Wolfsburg.
Volkswagen therefore takes care of the lineage: red trim, “Superclark” checkered upholstery, Tornado Red paint, and Wörthersee wheels, a nod to the gatherings of enthusiasts. But beneath this familiar outfit, the break is profound: the engine drives the rear wheels. An electric and rear-wheel drive GTI certainly shakes up the habits.
The DCC adaptive suspension, progressive steering, and Launch Control come as standard. A GTI button sharpens the settings and enhances the interior ambiance. It also triggers a sound reminiscent of a combustion engine. Driving away the gasoline while mimicking its voice: Volkswagen embraces a certain nostalgia.
With a net battery of 79 kWh, up to 601 km of announced range, and a recharge from 10 to 80% in about 29 minutes, this GTI also aims to preserve the versatility that earned the badge its reputation.
So, are the gasoline GTIs buried? This launch does not signal their disappearance. But Volkswagen removes their exclusivity on the name and the power crown. It remains to be seen behind the wheel whether this heir possesses anything beyond the family’s hallmark features. Because a tartan seat cover has never been enough to create a GTI.
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This page is translated from the original post "Est-ce que Volkswagen vient d’enterrer les GTI essence ?" in French.
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