
Major car maker to release range of ‘mind-blowing' performance models including reimagined fan favourite hot hatchback
VOLKSWAGEN'S fan-favourite GTI performance range is set to continue into its all-electric future.
In fact, the German giant promises it will be better than ever, with multiple model lines confirmed by CEO Thomas Schafer - who claims these new machines will be "mind-blowing" to drive.
3
Volkswagen's iconic GTI range is set to electrify the roads before the end of the decade
Credit: Volkswagen AG
3
The ninth-generation all-electric Golf GTI promises excitement and innovation, blending sustainability with the unmistakable GTI spirit
Credit: Volkswagen AG
3
Celebrating 50 years of Golf legacy, Volkswagen prepares to redefine hot hatchbacks once again
Credit: Getty
According to
Naturally, a GTI version of the forthcoming all-electric ninth-generation
Golf
will also arrive by the end of the decade, marking the beginning of 'a whole group of GTI"
models
set to roll out in subsequent years.
Work is reportedly already under way on the development of the first electric GTI
models
, with particular attention being paid to ensuring they are just as fun to drive as their predecessors.
Schafer said: "First of all, can you make an electric
Golf
exciting? Absolutely.
Read more Motors News
"We have driven a few prototypes that we have built on the new set-up, and it is mind-blowing."
He added that the brand's priority is to engineer its electric GTI range in a way that makes its hot hatchbacks feel distinct from the standard models.
Schafer said: "What about the sound? What about the total feel? The handling and so on can be done.'
However, with the current petrol-powered car set to remain on sale for several more years, the production version of the electric Golf GTI will not appear in showrooms for some time.
Most read in Motors
Schafer added: "We have time now, as the Golf is running very well into the end of this decade, and at the end of the decade, we'll bring an electric Golf."
He also claimed the electric GTI will be "a monster car", adding: "I'm very happy with the progress.
The world's most famous hatchback turned 50 in 2024 – key reasons why it's still going strong and loved by millions
'It's cool, and you can make it exciting. It has to be exciting, and it has to be authentic.'
No date has been given for when VW plans to unveil the final version of the ID 2 GTI, although the standard car is due to launch in early 2026.
Earlier this year, we revealed how the most noticeable change to the ninth-gen Golf would be its nameplate - with it set to be called the ID Golf.
VW
's ID range, which currently includes several models, is how the brand separates its lineup of fully electric vehicles - all developed as part of their commitment to sustainable mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
The "ID" stands for Intelligent Design, Identity, and Idea, which reflects the German marque's vision for the
future
.
Last year, the Golf celebrated its 50th year and we were lucky to rub shoulders with the
.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Don't believe everything that's written' – Florian Wirtz hits out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statement
FLORIAN WIRTZ has hit out at reports claiming he wants to snatch a Liverpool star's shirt number to join the club. The German ace is on the brink of joining the Reds if they can strike a deal with Advertisement 4 Florian Wirtz has hit out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statement Credit: Instagram @flowirtz 4 It comes after reports suggested he wanted to take the No10 shirt off of Alexis Mac Allister Credit: Getty Bayer have already rejected an offer worth £109million as they hold out for a British transfer record payment of £126m (€150 million). A report from Sky Sport Germany claimed the 22-year-old wanted to be given the No10 shirt if he joins the Anfield outfit - having already agreed personal terms. However, Wirtz has directly addressed that claim on social media. Taking to his Instagram story, he wrote: "Who says I want the 10 [emoji]. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "I respect players. "Don't believe everything that's written," followed by a clown emoji. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is the current owner of the shirt, having taken it when he joined Liverpool from Brighton in 2023. Wirtz wears the No10 for his club but wears the No17 for the German national team. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Previous owners of the No10 shirt at Liverpool include Sadio Mane, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Frimpong jets into UK with Leverkusen star to complete £30m Liverpool move City pulled out of the race early after realising the cost of the overall package to land the German could set them back £252m. Advertisement Wirtz will become the biggest English transfer of all time if Liverpool stump up the money Bayer are demanding to sell him. Liverpool have already announced the 4 Advertisement 4


The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
West Ham ‘hold talks with Aaron Ramsdale' with Southampton desperate to get £100k-a-week wages off payroll
WEST HAM have opened talks to sign Aaron Ramsdale with Southampton reportedly eager to offload the goalkeeper's wages. The England international, 27, only joined the Saints from Arsenal last summer . 3 Aaron Ramsdale carries the burden of being relegated with three different clubs Credit: Rex 3 Hammers manager Graham Potter is a big admirer of Ramsdale Credit: Getty 3 The former Arsenal man wants to go to the World Cup next year Credit: Getty But the club's relegation means he needs a move back to the Premier League to keep his World Cup hopes alive. Before joining Southampton, Ramsdale spent much of the 2023/24 campaign on the bench at Arsenal after falling out of favour. His spot was taken by Mikel Arteta preferred not only for his shot-stopping ability but also for his composure and distribution with the ball. In a bid to secure regular first-team football, Ramsdale moved to Southampton but things haven't gone according to plan and now he's seeking a fresh start. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS According to a report from Potter is open to bringing in Ramsdale to provide competition for The Hammers are short in the goalkeeping department following the departure of long-serving keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Talks are still at an early stage with West Ham hoping to negotiate a cut-price deal or possibly arrange a loan with an option to buy. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Ramsdale is believed to be keen on securing regular game time knowing that's his best route back into the England squad. This move could also offer him a path back into the limelight following his early success at Arsenal before Raya's arrival. 'Do you want me to swear-' - Graham Potter in meltdown as West Ham boss taunted with X-rated 'the German's right' chants The Hammers endured a tough campaign under both However, Potter is said to have credit in the bank with many believing he inherited a struggling side and will be judged more fairly on progress next season.


RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- RTÉ News
New car registrations down 8.8% in May, but EVs up 5.3%
New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that while new car registrations overall slowed in May, the number of new electric car registrations increased. The SIMI figures show that new car registrations for May were down 8.8% to 5,832 from 6,398 the same month last year. However, registrations so far this year are up 2.4% to 79,301 from 77,461 the same time last year. SIMI said a total of 1,092 new electric cars were registered in May, a rise of 5.3% on the 1,037 EV registrations in May 2024. So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered, marking a 23.3% increase compared to the same time last year when 10,052 electric cars were registered. Meanwhile, imported used cars rose by 7.9% to 5,949 in May of this year compared to a figure of 5,513 in May of last year, SIMI said. Year to date imports are up 7.5% to 28,184 on 2024's 26,206, it added. Today's figures show that petrol cars remain the new car market leader at 27.6%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 23.09%, diesel at 17.42%, electric at 15.63% and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.64%. They also reveal that the top selling new car in May was the Volkswagen Tiguan while the top selling new electric car was the Hyundai Inster. The five top selling new car brands so far this year are Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Kia, while the top five selling new car models are the Hyundai Tucson, the Toyota RAV 4, the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Kia Sportage and the Skoda Octavia. Meanwhile the five top selling new electric vehicles brands are Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and BYD. The five top selling new EV Models are the Volkswagen ID.4, the Kia EV3, the Tesla Model 3, the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Kona. The most popular colour for a new car was grey, followed by black and blue. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said that the fifth month in a row, new electric vehicle sales have increased, with EV registrations 5% ahead of May last year, with over 12,300 new electric cars sold so far this year, representing a 23% increase on last year. He noted that private consumers continue to account for the majority of EV sales. "While we are now on schedule to reach the interim Climate Action Plan target of 175,000 electric cars (EV & PHEV) by the end of this year, as highlighted by the EPA recently, we need to do more to accelerate the growth in EV sales between now and the end of the decade," Mr Cooke said. He said Government initiatives and supports will be vital to achieve this. He also noted that the Commercial vehicle sector experienced a decline in May, with the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market down nearly 2% in May and 9% year to date. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 22% in May and 10% year to date.