Volkswagen is officially building the next generation of the iconic Golf GTI—and this time, it’s going fully electric. While India is gearing up to welcome the petrol-powered Golf GTI for the first time, Volkswagen is already shifting gears toward the future with an all-electric GTI model currently in development.
Announced by Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schäfer at the Financial Times’ Future of the Car Summit in London, the upcoming Golf GTI EV is being designed to retain the thrilling character of the original while embracing clean energy and modern performance standards. “It has to be exciting, it has to be authentic,” said Schäfer, expressing his satisfaction with the progress of the new GTI so far.
The electric Golf GTI will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)—a cutting-edge mechatronics architecture that will underpin a range of future EVs. While the prototype isn’t ready yet, Schäfer confirmed that the dimensions and platform have been defined, with design and performance goals already in motion.
Performance-wise, Volkswagen intends to deliver all the speed and excitement fans expect. Drawing on experience from the ID.3 GTX, the Golf GTI EV is expected to be a front-wheel-drive (FWD), single-motor hot hatch with quick acceleration and agile dynamics. However, replicating the aural drama of the current petrol GTI—known for its exhaust growl and pops—may prove tricky. Synthetic sound enhancements via speakers might not fully satisfy purists.
In addition to the GTI EV, a more powerful, all-wheel-drive Golf R EV is also in the works. This top-tier variant will use a dual-motor setup for enhanced grip, sharper handling, and stronger straight-line performance.
Meanwhile, in India, the internal combustion-powered Golf GTI is finally arriving. Limited to just 250 imported units in its first batch, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds and has an electronically capped top speed of 250 km/h. This marks the debut of the GTI in the Indian market and sets the stage for future electric successors.
Volkswagen’s electrification of its most beloved performance hatchback signals a bold new era. As the company blends heritage with high-voltage technology, all eyes are on how the Golf GTI EV will deliver on the legacy it’s built over decades.
