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When the Volkswagen ID.GTI Idea debuted final yr, it gave followers all around the world some hope that the legendary scorching hatchback would survive to be a part of the automaker’s all-electric future. However that additionally relies on whether or not the precise EV, slated to go on sale later this decade because the ID.GTI, will make it to one of many international locations that loves the GTI essentially the most: the US.
The excellent news is that Volkswagen Group of America CEO Pablo Di Si is as enthusiastic as anybody about that proposition. “I liked it,” he informed InsideEVs in an interview this week. “It is a wonderful automotive. I believe it will promote in America. I believe it has potential. It is a ‘love automobile’ within the U.S.”
The unhealthy information is bringing it stateside could also be simpler stated than carried out. Whether or not the ID.GTI could be priced accurately for the U.S. is an open query.
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Volkswagen has dedicated to going all-electric within the coming years, whereas including extra hybrids to its portfolio within the meantime. The ID.GTI idea made an enormous splash when it was unveiled final yr, however whether or not it is sized and priced proper for the American market is an open query—as is what is going to occur to the legendary GTI itself within the EV future.
The manufacturing model of the ID.GTI Idea has been greenlit for arrival in 2026. The automotive it’s based mostly on, the Volkswagen ID.2, could not make it to our shores. Final yr, a VW spokesperson stated it would not, and Di Si himself informed Automobile and Driver that it is most likely not the proper measurement for U.S. consumers.
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Regardless of its decidedly Golf-like seems to be, the ID.2 is kind of a bit smaller than the present Golf. It is somewhat nearer in measurement to the subcompact Polo. And American consumers have actually not been within the behavior of shopping for Golfs in quantity like the remainder of the world. With the discontinuation of the U.S.-market Golf in 2021, the one variants now offered listed here are the GTI and the extra highly effective Golf R.
You possibly can thank these vehicles’ rabid fanbase for that call. At the same time as Volkswagen has pivoted closely to crossovers and SUVs to fulfill market demand within the U.S.—they make up the majority of VW’s present American portfolio, together with the lone EV for now—the GTI and Golf R have a devoted fanatic automotive tradition surrounding themselves. The GTI is credited as being the unique scorching hatchback, and whether or not it is slammed to the bottom or only a bone-stock day by day driver, their mixture of pace and practicality has made it an iconic gearhead staple on par with the Mazda Miata, Ford Mustang and BMW M3.
And whereas the ID.GTI’s specs have not been launched but, the ID.2all idea was stated to place down 223 horsepower to the entrance wheels. The ID.GTI will definitely pack an even bigger punch, making it extra highly effective and certain sooner than any gas-powered GTI.
So whereas Di Si would not verify the ID.GTI for the U.S., he is fascinated with what levers may very well be pulled. “It could make sense if we hit the worth factors,” he stated. The corporate desires a volume-player EV priced round $25,000, Di Si stated. If it goes too excessive, he stated it is an excessive amount of of a “area of interest automobile.” (The present gas-powered GTI begins at round $32,000.)
“Do now we have a plan? Not but, however it’s on our radar,” Di Si stated. “Nearly all of the fee comes from the batteries.”
Electrical efficiency vehicles are clearly on Volkswagen’s radar generally. This week, the automaker additionally unveiled the ID.3 GTX, a 321-horsepower variant of its Golf-like electrical ID.3, in addition to the ID.7 GTX Tourer, a go-fast wagon with 335 hp.
But whereas the ID.3 GTX looks as if a shoo-in to take up the GTI’s mantle, the ID.3 is not offered within the U.S. in any respect. After which there’s the query of what is going on to occur with the longer term Golf itself, which can be slated to go electric-only on a brand new platform.
However that is additional down the road. The ID.GTI needs to be on sale earlier than then, and it will be a disgrace if American followers needed to wait so lengthy for some new electrical Golf GTI to seem. Clearly, the ID.GTI is a hype machine already, and with an increasing number of People asking for reasonably priced EVs—and even smaller ones—it seems like not bringing this EV scorching hatch stateside could be an actual misfire.
Let’s put it this manner: If Dodge can deliver in some way the Charger into the electrical period, certainly Volkswagen can determine this one out.
Contact the creator: patrick.george@insideevs.com
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