Golf GTI

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
Hatchback

Volkswagen's Board Member for Technical Development Kai Grunitz has revealed to Top Gear that the German automaker is already hard at work on a sporty version of the just-revealed ID. 2all concept. The attractive EV previews what a production-bound electric Golf could be like (this has not been explicitly confirmed yet, but all signs point to this being a logical conclusion), and reactions have been largely positive.

"We're working on a sporty version," said Grunitz. "It will only be front-wheel drive. No all-wheel drive." That fits with GTI tradition, but the electric "Golf" could get a different suffix that the brand first mentioned in 2019: GTX.

"Whether it will be a GTI or GTX or whatever, we will see," said Grunitz. Whatever it's called, it needs the fun-to-drive handling characteristics that made the original GTI such a hit in its day.

The regular ID. 2all concept produces 223 horsepower and is claimed to do 0-60 mph in under seven seconds, but we're optimistic that a hot version would be powerful enough to outperform the current, combustion-powered Golf GTI, which produces 241 hp and can get from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. What the ID. 2 GTI/GTX's horsepower figure will be is a secret that remains closely guarded, but more information should be revealed soon.

"I've got a number in mind for the power figure," says Grunitz. "But this will be a surprise for the next time we see each other."

As for the high-performance Golf R, don't let Grunitz's earlier comments about a lack of AWD (for now) worry you - the R division will live on in the electric age.

Volkswagen wants the regular ID. 2all to cost less than €25,000 (roughly $26,000) in production guise, which means the sporty version should be stylish, quick, and affordable. But will it be fun? Volkswagen's ongoing commitment to the tuning community in Europe is a positive sign, but that's not enough.

Last year, Volkswagen boss Thomas Schaefer said he wants to "make the brand shine again." This comment suggests that VW is aware of the diminishing enthusiast base it has worldwide. Volkswagen used to symbolize affordable fun in a package that could rival premium brands for quality. Now, the Toyota GR Corolla, Honda Civic Type R, and even Hyundai's new hot hatches generate more hype and go more viral online than anything VW puts out.

Thankfully, VW seems to be aware of the problem and has already begun experimenting with leveraging nostalgia to add to a car's fun factor. The retro appearance themes previewed on the ID. 2all concept may seem gimmicky, but they're precisely what many of us have been looking forward to since the advent of digital car screens.

BMW includes an easter egg of the M1 with the latest M3, and the incoming S650 Mustang can be configured to display Fox-body-style gauges. VW is jumping on this trend, too; hopefully, the driving experience will provide even more smiles.

If not, VW may fade into obscurity among enthusiasts.