Volkswagen opens reservations for its electric “toy” with 226 HP, a top speed of 190 km/h, and a range of 424 km

Volkswagen has just taken an important step in the history of its sports cars. coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first Golf GTI, the German brand has officially opened orders for the new Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI, the first fully electric model to use these iconic initials. Its sales have just begun in Germany at a starting price of 39,995 euros.

It’s worth recalling that the ID. Polo is manufactured at the Martorell plant and represents one of Volkswagen’s key electric vehicles for our market. The GTI version will join this lineup with 226 horsepower, a tailored tuning setup, and up to 424 km of WLTP range. Although the brand has not yet announced the final price of the GTI in Spain or opened national orders, its arrival is part of Volkswagen’s European electric vehicle push.

The Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI brings back the essence of classic sports cars

The new ID. Polo GTI follows a formula very similar to that of the original 1976 Golf GTI: compact dimensions, front-wheel drive, and an engine powerful enough to deliver enjoyable driving. In this case, it’s powered by an electric front motor producing 226 HP and 290 Nm of peak torque.

Thanks to this engine, the compact sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 km/h. Volkswagen claims it chose this top speed figure based on its customers’ preferences. But the biggest difference from a regular ID. Polo lies in the chassis, which comes standard with adaptive sports suspension DCC, progressive steering, and an electronically controlled front differential to improve cornering performance.

It also introduces a specific driving mode called GTI, which can be activated via a button on the sports steering wheel. When selected, the engine response, steering, and suspension adopt a more sporty setup. At the same time, the interior changes its graphics and colors, and an artificial sound specifically developed for this version is activated.

Up to 424 km of range and an interior inspired by the Golf GTI

The battery has a usable capacity of 52 kWh and uses NMC chemistry. Volkswagen claims up to 424 km of range under the WLTP cycle, while the maximum DC charging power reaches 105 kW. With a suitable charger, it can charge from 10% to 80% of the battery in approximately 24 minutes.

The exterior design features all the characteristic elements of a GTI. Notable are the red strip on the front, honeycomb pattern details, 19-inch alloy wheels, and specific logos. It also comes equipped with matrix LED headlights, illuminated Volkswagen emblems, and a split rear spoiler that enhances its sporty appearance.

Inside, we find sports seats with the traditional checkered upholstery, red stitching, and a steering wheel featuring a central mark in the same color. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is paired with a 12.9-inch multimedia screen, along with a quirky retro function that replicates the appearance of the clocks from the original Golf GTI. Even music can be visually represented as if it’s playing from an old cassette tape.

Despite its sporty approach, it retains one of the major advantages of the electric ID. Polo, such as space efficiency. Its trunk offers 441 liters, compared to 351 liters in the gasoline-powered Polo GTI, and can be expanded to 1,240 liters by folding down the rear seats.

How much will the Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI cost in Spain?

For now, the only confirmed price for the new Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI is in Germany, where it has just gone on sale at 39,995 euros. In Spain, the official price or a specific date for opening reservations has not yet been announced, so it would be incorrect to automatically apply that amount to our market.

For reference, the standard ID. Polo is already available in Spain, and Volkswagen recently announced a promotional price of 17,900 euros for the 116 HP Match version with a 37 kWh battery, including financing, marketing incentives, and subsidies. The GTI will be significantly more advanced than this variant in terms of power, equipment, and chassis technology.

The arrival of the ID. Polo GTI will also mark the beginning of a new family of electric sports cars from Volkswagen. The company is already preparing the ID.3 GTI, with orders set to open in early 2027. In the meantime, the small 226 HP GTI will serve to demonstrate that a name coined half a century ago around a gasoline engine can also find its place in the new generation of electric vehicles.