On the sidelines of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Volkswagen unveiled the sporty version of the ID Polo bearing the famous GTI badge. With 226 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of under 7 seconds, the badge returns as a fully electric model, fifty years after the launch of the first car to bear these three now-legendary letters. Volkswagen thus joins Peugeot, Alpine, Opel and Lancia in the small EV sports car segment, with significant ambitions.
The Polo GTi, building on 50 years of history
Having only just been launched, the ID Polo city car is already making a name for itself and has been awarded the famous GTi badge, first introduced in 1976 with the Golf. These three letters have always resonated with fans of small, agile, dynamic and accessible sports cars. Will the same be true of this electric ID Polo version? On paper, the specifications are impressive: a 166 kW motor delivering 226 hp to the front wheels, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, and 290 Nm of torque distributed evenly thanks to a standard electronic limited-slip differential and an adaptive DCC sports chassis. Volkswagen promises a driving experience identical to that of a classic GTi, although the weight (1,540 kg) is increased by the 52 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery (approximately 424 km WLTP range).
GTi button on the steering wheel
Unlike traditional GTis, which are more progressive in their handling, the electric version allows the car’s full dynamic potential to be unleashed at the touch of a new ‘GTi’ button on the steering wheel. The driving settings, steering and chassis settings are then instantly adjusted for maximum sportiness. In sport mode, the dashboard is bathed in bright colours and the displays change their graphic style. Furthermore, the brand’s designers have included numerous retro nods to the GTi lineage, such as red piping, a tartan pattern on the seats, and extensive red stitching on the dashboard, door panels and sports steering wheel. However, there is no mention of the return of an artificial engine sound in the cabin via the speakers.
A rather understated design
Aesthetically, the design remains faithful to the ID Polo, with its clean, balanced lines. The front bumper, side skirts and rear diffuser have been redesigned to create a more dynamic look. GTi badges are featured in various places on the Tornado Red bodywork, the historic GTi colour. The overhangs are short, the 19-inch alloy wheels are unique to this model, and the headlights feature ‘IQ Light’ matrix LED technology.
The ID Polo GTi is based on the MEB+ platform, which is already used for the Cupra Raval. It will go on sale from next autumn, with prices starting at €39,000.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to sporty electric city cars
The ID Polo GTi is entering a rapidly growing market: small electric sports cars. Almost all manufacturers now have a model of this type in their range. The advantage is that these are ‘image’ cars; they are designed to prove to the public that electric vehicles can be fun and high-performance, whilst also offering manufacturers more comfortable profit margins. Among the stars of the segment are:
- Alpine A290: 220 hp, 300 Nm of torque, 0–100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. Price: from €41,700.
- Peugeot e-208 GTi: 280 hp, 350 Nm of torque; it is based on the current e-208 (which is due to be replaced in 2026). Price: from €42,000.
- Opel Corsa GSE: 281 hp, maximum torque of 285 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
- Lancia Ypsilon HF: 280 hp, top speed of 180 km/h and 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Price: €42,400
- Cupra Raval VZ Extreme: 226 hp, 1,610 kg, 52 kWh battery. Price: from €45,500.
- Ford Fiesta ST EV: an upcoming model, expected to be based on the Alpine A290 platform thanks to the industrial partnership between Renault and Ford.
Niche market
Following the gradual disappearance of GTis and small sports cars with combustion engines, there was a void to be filled in the hearts of enthusiasts and ‘fun-seeking’ customers. Cars that are suitable for everyday use, free from penalty charges, far more powerful than their predecessors and boasting strong acceleration (torque), these little powerhouses have plenty to offer. But they are also much heavier, very expensive and still have a limited range (between 300 and 400 km in real-world use, and therefore much less on a track or under intensive use). Furthermore, the absence of engine vibration and sound robs these sports cars of the joyful, spirited nature that once made them so successful.
Whilst this niche market for small, zippy electric cars remains very marginal, the range of models on offer is expanding rapidly, driven by the shared-platform strategy adopted by automotive groups (Stellantis, Renault, Volkswagen, etc.). The question remains: will nostalgia for these famous logos from the 1980s and 1990s be enough to spark enthusiasm for these ‘thrill-seeking’ electric cars?
