The electric hot hatch is here: VW will electrify the GTI
VW has shown an electric version of its classic GTI hot hatch. It’s just a concept so far, but VW says the all-electric ID. GTI is planned for eventual production.
The electric VW ID. GTI concept was unveiled today in advance of the IAA auto show in Munich, Germany.
The original Golf GTI, released in 1976, was the first VW to use fuel injection, thus the model name which stands for Grand Touring Injection. VW expanded the GTI designation to other performance-oriented models, and the VW Golf GTI has been popular as an affordable but quick hot hatch, defining the segment.
So lending this designation to a future electric model is a big deal, showing that VW thinks the coming electric ID. GTI will be worthy of that heritage (especially since it said it wouldn’t use the GTI designation for the ID.3 hot hatch version).
VW said that the new ID. GTI will use this classic naming convention, despite the lack of a fuel injection system, replacing “injection” with “intelligence.” The “I’ now stands for “intelligent thinking in the sports-car world,” says VW.
The ID. GTI concept is based on the ID. 2all, a small and inexpensive electric hatchback. The 2all is expected to start under 25,000 Euros (~$27k USD), but VW doesn’t have a price yet for the ID. GTI. We’re sure it will be more, but if it’s starting from an inexpensive platform to begin with, that’s a good sign.
Other than that, we don’t have a lot of specs. It’s an inch taller than the Golf GTI, two inches wider, and seven inches shorter in length (though with just 1 inch shorter wheelbase). Due to this shorter length, it has slightly less rear cargo space than the Golf GTI, but more cargo space with the seats folded down, and it sits on slightly larger tires and wheels. And those are about all the specs that VW shared – nothing powertrain-related, yet.
We do know that the ID. GTI concept is planned to be front-wheel drive, like the 2all is. And it will have what VW is calling “GTI Experience Control,” a new system that VW says will allow drivers to adjust various aspects of vehicle dynamics. This includes adding sounds and simulated shift points – allowing you to pretend that your car is running on a noisy gas engine with a narrow power band instead of a superior electric one, if that takes your fancy for some weird reason.
The exterior has various sport-oriented touches, like a spoiler and big rear diffuser, front tow hooks, and black side skirts.
While it’s only a concept, everything about the exterior looks pretty realistic. We can imagine the final version will look somewhat like this.
On the interior, however, things get a little different. VW says it wants to incorporate an extensive augmented-reality heads-up display.
VW hasn’t released photos of this interior, but has released concept renderings of it. It looks quite futuristic – perhaps excessively so.
But then, these are renders, so who knows what the real thing will look like. We can imagine the sport seats and 12.9-inch touchscreen display will make it to production, and perhaps some sort of HUD, but maybe a little less extreme than these concept drawings suggest.
VW has said that “the decision has been taken that [the ID. GTI] will go into production,” but so far we have no date for when this will happen. The concept looks fairly far along, in terms of external design, but the interior is obviously not finished, nor can the powertrain be finished since we have no details on it (other than that the battery with be low-slung in the vehicle, helping lower the center of gravity, as has become the standard in EVs). So we don’t know when to expect it, but it will happen, eventually, says VW.
Electrek’s Take
We were all pretty excited when we saw this hit the newsroom, especially with this year’s proliferation of gigantic 3-row electric land yachts which seem to be taking the place of anything reasonably-sized. It’s nice to see a company offering something in the opposite direction, and especially in a segment, hot hatches, that is renowned by enthusiasts for offering little compromise between fun and practicality.
A few years ago Mercedes announced an electric EQA hot hatch, but later stole the EQA name and gave it to yet another bland crossover SUV that looks like literally every other car on the road, and we’ve heard nothing more about the awesome electric hot hatch concept. As you can tell, we’re still miffed about that.
So here’s a chance to get a real electric hot hatch, from the brand that defines the segment, at what seems like it might be a reasonable price, and with a production commitment – but with an unspecified date, and few details otherwise.
It’s good news on balance, and we can’t wait to hear more. As long as this one doesn’t go the way of the EQA.
Though I will say that one odd thing about this is the front-wheel drive layout. Many hot hatches use front-wheel drive, but this is because a gas engine can go under the hood and drive the front wheels, meaning no need for a driveshaft to transfer torque to the rear wheels, saving space and complexity in a small vehicle.
With an electric car, smaller electric motors can be put anywhere, and a driveshaft isn’t necessary. So a rear- or all-wheel drive version would be quite easy to do, and would give performance benefits as well (driving the rear wheels makes a car quicker, because weight transfers to the rear under acceleration).
Front-wheel drive has benefits for less-experienced drivers and in low-traction scenarios, but for a performance-oriented enthusiast vehicle like the GTI, we’d love to see rear- or all-wheel drive options at some point.
But there’s still time to go before this car hits the road, and we don’t really know any specs yet, so maybe this is in the plans. We’re certainly looking forward to hearing more about this, because we need some more fun, affordable hatchback EVs, especially with the Bolt EV going out of production this year (though Chevy says it will come back eventually).
What do you think of the GTI concept? Let us know in the comments.
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Tennessee EV charging infrastructure developer PowerUp America just ordered a minimum of 100 new DC fast chargers in Q3 from Kempower, the Finnish company with a manufacturing hub in North Carolina.
PowerUp America, a relatively new player in the DC fast-charging station scene, is preparing to launch its first-ever DC fast-charging station in Kentucky by the end of the year.
These chargers are headed to NEVI-funded sites, which means they must all comply with the Build America, Buy America rules. PowerUp America posted on X/Twitter in October that the 400 kW chargers were already rolling off Kempower’s manufacturing line.
Here’s where they’re going, in addition to the fast charging station in Manchester, Kentucky: five new stations in Tennessee and two in Virginia. That Kentucky site features amenities such as pull-through stalls for easy towing, a full turning radius, a canopy for shade and weather protection, and on-site facilities (likely including snacks and restrooms – you know the drill).
Each charger will offer both CCS1 and NACS connectors and will support tap-to-pay or app-based payments.
Josh Turner, CEO of PowerUp America, said, “Every new site is more than just a charger; it’s an investment in local economies, workforce development, and the transportation future we’re building across the Southeast.”
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Hyundai’s at it again. The automaker is extending its IONIQ 5 lease offer, keeping one of the most affordable EV deals in the US alive at just $189 per month.
Hyundai extends IONIQ 5 lease deal for $189 a month
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular vehicles in the US, and for good reason. Hyundai updated it for the 2025 model year with more driving range (up to 318 miles), a revamped look inside and out, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Hyundai was also offering IONIQ 5 leases as low as $189 per month, making it one of the most affordable options for those looking to go electric.
The offer was set to end on November 3, but Hyundai has extended it for at least another month. Through December 1, you can still lease a 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD for just $189 per month for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is about $300 a month.
That’s still a pretty good deal, considering the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD is listed for lease at $219 a month for 24 months. With $4,499 due at signing, the effective cost is $406 a month, or over $100 more than the IONIQ 5.
Upgrading to the IONIQ 5 SEL RWD with 318 miles of range costs just $50 more per month. The offer is listed at $239 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, or an effective rate of $350.
Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 model year by nearly $10,000 on some trims after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September.
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | Driving Range (miles) | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price* | Price Reduction |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 245 | $42,600 | $35,000 | ($7,600) |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 318 | $46,650 | $37,500 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 318 | $49,600 | $39,800 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 318 | $54,300 | $45,075 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $50,150 | $41,000 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $53,100 | $43,300 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 259 | $55,500 | $46,275 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 269 | $58,200 | $48,975 | ($9,225) |
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was listed for lease starting at $289 per month, but that offer also ended on November 3. Hyundai has yet to update lease offers for the new model. We’ll keep you updated as soon as it’s posted.
Hyundai’s electric SUV remains one of the most affordable EVs in the US, alongside the Chevy Equinox EV and new Nissan LEAF.
For those looking for a spacious, efficient, reasonably priced SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is still worth checking out.
Interested in taking one for a spin? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find available Hyundai IONIQ 5 models near you.
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Polestar is about to make staying on course and finding your exit on the highway a lot less stressful. The EV maker is rolling out Google Maps’ new live lane guidance feature right onto the 10.2-inch driver display in the Polestar 4 – and it’s the first car brand to do so.
If you’ve ever missed an exit because you couldn’t get over in time, this one’s for you. Google Maps’ feature uses in-car AI to determine exactly which lane you’re in by analyzing road elements like road signs and lane markings from one of the Polestar 4’s forward-facing cameras. Then, it gives you visual and audio reminders to change lanes in time. No more guesswork, no more “oh no, that was my exit” moments.
You’ll see every possible lane highlighted for your route, along with a clear indication of which one you’re in. It’s designed to calm the chaos of multi-lane driving, especially in rush-hour traffic or sprawling interchanges.
Sid Odedra, Polestar’s head of UI/UX, says of the company’s latest collaboration with Google: “Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”
The feature is coming first to Polestar 4 drivers in the US and Sweden “in the coming months,” via an over-the-air update. It’ll hit more markets and road types after that.
Google Maps’ Andrew Foster says this is just the next chapter in a partnership that began with the Polestar 2 in 2020, when it became the first car to ship with Google-built-in software. “Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance, which will help people drive with even more confidence.”
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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