Volkswagen ID Polo GTI Interior Revealed – Dual Screens, Ambient Lights, Sports Seats

The iconic ‘GTI’ badge, which captivates the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide, has finally entered the electric era. Just a month after unveiling its all-new electric hatchback ID. Polo, German automaker Volkswagen has officially unveiled its high-performance variant, the Volkswagen ID Polo GTI.

Shown as the ‘ID. GTI Concept in 2023, the car has now been revealed in a fully production-ready avatar. Volkswagen’s electric ‘ID’ series has previously used the ‘GTX’ badge for high-speed vehicles, but this time, the company has, for the first time, combined this iconic name with a pure electric powertrain, keeping alive its 50-year-old history.

Exterior Styling

In terms of appearance, the new-gen Volkswagen ID. Polo GTE boasts a more aggressive and sporty stance than its standard coupe model. To enhance its front end, signature red highlights are added to the lower portion of the headlights and the center lightbar, revealing its racing identity from a distance. The front bumper has been completely redesigned, featuring a large mesh-pattern air intake grille and vertical LED lighting elements.

Specifically designed 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels give the car a strong road presence. Muscular ‘GTI’ branding is emblazoned on the side skirts just ahead of the rear wheels. At the rear, attention is drawn to the gloss-black roof spoiler and the aggressive diffuser element below the bumper. The traditional ID. Polo nameplate on the tailgate has been replaced by a proudly emblazoned ‘GTI’ badge, completing the look.

Premium Cabin

As soon as you step inside the cabin, the standard model’s calm and subdued atmosphere completely disappears. Inside the GTU (GTI), you find an all-black cabin with a black theme, accented by red contrast stitching and vibrant red ambient lighting. The flat-bottom sports steering wheel features GTU badging and a red marker strip at the 12 o’clock position, reminiscent of racing cars.

Premium sports seats with excellent grip are standard in this car’s cabin. Despite the hassle-free gear shifting, Volkswagen has provided dedicated paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, allowing the driver to easily control the car’s regenerative braking system with their fingertips. The gear select lever has been relocated to the steering column, providing ample space for mobile phones and luggage on the center console.

Advanced Tech

The main focus on the dashboard is the massive 12.9-inch central touchscreen infotainment system, which serves as the nerve center for all the car’s settings. The driver is provided with a 10.35-inch fully digital instrument cluster, featuring a unique ’80s-inspired virtual dial display option that takes you back to the era of Volkswagen’s classic cars. A row of physical buttons is located just below the central AC vents to adjust the cabin temperature.

To enhance the luxury, the car features 12-way electrically adjustable front seats with a massage function. Music lovers are also treated to a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system and a large fixed panoramic glass roof to enhance the cabin’s airiness.

To ensure 100% road safety, the car features Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology, IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights that illuminate dark roads like day, and adaptive sports suspension that adapts to different terrain conditions.

Powertrain & Range

On the performance front, this electric hot-hatchback fully lives up to its name. It features a powerful electric motor mounted on the front axle, instantly generating a whopping 223 bhp of power and a massive 290 Nm of torque.

This power allows this pocket-rocket car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds, and reach a top speed of 175 km/h. Like its petrol predecessor, it’s a front-wheel drive car, but comes standard with an electronic locking front differential to maintain its balance in turns. Speaking of battery and range, it’s equipped with an advanced 52 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack. This battery pack provides an impressive 424 kilometers of driving range on a single full charge under the WLTP test cycle.

To eliminate waiting for charging during long journeys, the car supports 105 kW DC fast charging, which allows the battery to be charged super-fast from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes. Despite such a heavy battery, thanks to German engineering, its total weight has been kept to just 1,540 kilograms, which is the key to its agile handling.