Latest news with #KaiGrünitz
Auto Blog
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
VW CEO: All-Electric GTI Will Be a 'Monster Car'
With electrification on its side, the OG hot hatch gets even more sizzle Some cars seem destined to be better with electrification. Mini, for example, should've been a slam dunk. The same goes for most of the Fiat lineup. Whether or not those brands have lived up to expectations, of course, is another conversation. Volkswagen's iconic Golf GTI has a lot of the same traits: small, practical, and quick. For over 45 years, it's been the poster child for accessible enthusiast rides in the VW portfolio, and the company doesn't plan on blowing it. At least, not if its CEO is to be believed. VW ID GTI Concept VW ID GTI Concept VW ID GTI Concept VW's CEO has driven a 'mind-blowing' electric Golf GTI prototype In conversations originally cited by Autocar, VW CEO Thomas Schäfer discussed some of the finer points of the upcoming, all-electric GTI. He's under the impression that an electric Golf can 'absolutely' still be exciting. How can he be so sure? 'We have driven a few prototypes that we have built on the new setup…it is mind-blowing.' He goes on to say that VW is paying special attention to how the car feels, sounds, and handles. He claims that, based on the prototypes, the EV GTI will be 'a monster car.' Last year, we got our first glimpse at what exactly an EV GTI might look like. VW executive Kai Grünitz's comments rang a bit more modest relative to Schäfer's more recent ones. 'Do we need 300 or 350 bhp? With a GTI, what's more important than power is drivability,' he said in 2024 at GTI Fan Fest in Wolfsburg. 'It will be a real go-kart. I've driven a prototype and it's really amazing.' The current gas-powered GTI makes 240 horsepower (236 bhp), and while a 280-something horsepower GTI still sounds like a ton of fun, it's probably not what most drivers would call a 'monster.' But who knows, VW may have changed its tune (literally and figuratively) in the 10 months since Grünitz's comments. The GTI badge is spreading, according to Schäfer Shreds of hope for the EV GTI weren't the only clues Schäfer dropped regarding what's coming out of Wolfsburg. Schäfer claims the electric Golf won't debut until close to the end of the decade, but it will be the forerunner for a 'whole group' of cars wearing GTI badges. While we're hoping that means something more in the way of a Jetta GTI than an ID.4 GTI, we don't have any other information right now. The current Golf's lifecycle will run until 2028 or 2029. VW ID GTI Concept VW ID GTI Concept Final thoughts Electric cars can be fun, and the GTI is a natural fit for electrification. It all comes down to implementation, though, as the feel has almost always been the reason shoppers end up in the driver's seat of a GTI as opposed to any other hot hatch. From the tartan/plaid seats to the iconic gear selector, there is no shortage of things besides the powertrain that make a GTI decidedly 'fun.' It's good news that the CEO of VW is excited about the new GTI; we just hope the small details don't get missed.
The Drive
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Future VW EVs Will Get Real Names
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The Germans have been a fickle bunch as of late, at least when it comes to naming their vehicles. Volkswagen is the latest to reassess its branding strategy with plans to do away with the alphanumeric 'ID' badging in favor of actual car names. Just as electric vehicle styling ebbs and flows between avant-garde and traditional, so do the model names. In an interview with Auto und Wirtschaft , VW brand board member Martin Sander revealed that the name wasn't actually going to stick. Not for other upcoming models, either. 'The cars will get proper names again,' he said. 'This question will arise specifically with the market launch of new models – neither the ID.2all nor the will have those names in series production.' What the production names would actually be, Sander, who is part of Sales, Marketing, and After Sales management team, remained mum. 'We'll announce that when the time comes.' According to Carscoops , future ID vehicles could adopt names that already exist in the VW vault. For example, the ID.2 could be renamed Polo, and the ID.1 could be identified as Lupo, Fox, or Up! Or, you know, Volkswagen could choose new names altogether. Kai Grünitz, another VW board member who is on the Technical Development side, previously mentioned that ID models would be significantly updated starting in 2026. Carscoops says that could be the ideal time to not only give every ID a facelift but also a new non-alphanumeric name. At the very least, drop that period and the awkward spacing (no space if followed by a number, space if followed by a letter). Marketing mayhem at its best. The ID EV sub-brand was launched in 2017. In the U.S., we currently have ID.4 and to choose from. The ID.7 was set to arrive, delayed, and then ultimately canceled. Having a vehicle name that doesn't resemble a NASDAQ chart is one thing, but the VW EVs still have to be identifiable when you consider that ICE-powered models will be sold alongside for another few years. Perhaps VW can take a cue from its countrymen. BMW gave its multi-faceted 'i' a single job now: it'll appear only on its electric models. Also, the eDrive and xDrive word salad might disappear with the Neue Klasse lineup, replaced with a more straightforward system. Audi has shifted its naming structure twice in as many years. First, it was a battle of the odd and even numbers before sensibility fought through to revert back to the As and the Qs. Then you've got Mercedes-Benz pretending the whole EQ thing never happened. As Sander said, only time will tell. Hopefully, Volkswagen doesn't end up on the EV name struggle bus that Honda is apparently in regarding its future electrified lineup. Got a tip? Email us at tips@ Beverly Braga has enjoyed an eventful career as a Swiss Army knife, having held roles as an after-school teacher, film critic, PR manager, transcriber, and video producer – to name a few. She is currently a communications consultant and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets covering automotive, entertainment, lifestyle, and food & beverage. Beverly grew up in Hawaii but roots for Washington, D.C., sports teams.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Volkswagen Golf to keep petrol power
The Volkswagen Golf will reportedly be offered with both combustion and battery-electric powertrains well into the next decade. Autocar reports that a heavily updated version of the recently released Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf will remain on sale – powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) – alongside the new ninth-generation battery-electric small car that's due to launch in 2029 and is expected to arrive in Australia the following year. Volkswagen has previously said it will keep selling ICE versions of the current Golf until the European Union's (EU) ban on the sale of new vehicles with ICE powertrains in 2035, which remains in place despite resistance from some political groups in Europe. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. This would make the Mk8 Golf, launched in 2019, the longest-serving generation of the iconic nameplate to serve in new-car showrooms, stretching to 16 years. Petrol-electric hybrid versions are expected to be sold in the United Kingdom (UK) – where the ban on the sale of ICE vehicles was moved forward to 2032 when the current government won office in July 2024 – and the EU to meet emissions laws. Volkswagen will move production of the ICE-powered Golf – currently made in Germany, China and Malaysia – to Mexico as it begins production of the battery-electric Golf in Wolfsburg. The Mexico move also enables Volkswagen to produce non-hybrid petrol and diesel Golfs for South American and other markets where there may be no electric car mandates or ICE restrictions. The ninth-generation battery-electric Golf will be the first to use a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform – the Volkswagen Group's SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) – but its introduction was delayed by software development issues which have also impacted other electric models from Audi and Porsche. A partnership with US electric truck maker Rivian – which Volkswagen Group also tapped for the relaunch of the Scout brand – was announced in mid-2024 with the aim of fast-tracking software and EV development. When sorted, the SSP will bring an 800V electrical architecture, longer driving range, 350kW DC fast-charging – including bi-directional charging – and modular battery construction. The move to an electric Golf won't see the end of the German auto giant's legendary Golf GTI and Golf R performance models. Volkswagen's head of technical development, Kai Grünitz, previously confirmed the Golf GTI will live on beyond 2028 – but stopped short of confirming an electric version of the iconic hot hatch. If an electric Golf GTI is added to the lineup, it won't appear until at least 2030, following the launch of the bread-and-butter lineup. The higher-spec Golf R will go electric too, with Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer telling Car magazine in early 2024 that the next Golf R will employ the SSP architecture exclusively, meaning it will be solely electric. Schäfer had previously said Volkswagen would be "crazy" to kill off its GTI and R performance sub-brands in the Golf's move to electrification. Content originally sourced from: The Volkswagen Golf will reportedly be offered with both combustion and battery-electric powertrains well into the next decade. Autocar reports that a heavily updated version of the recently released Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf will remain on sale – powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) – alongside the new ninth-generation battery-electric small car that's due to launch in 2029 and is expected to arrive in Australia the following year. Volkswagen has previously said it will keep selling ICE versions of the current Golf until the European Union's (EU) ban on the sale of new vehicles with ICE powertrains in 2035, which remains in place despite resistance from some political groups in Europe. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. This would make the Mk8 Golf, launched in 2019, the longest-serving generation of the iconic nameplate to serve in new-car showrooms, stretching to 16 years. Petrol-electric hybrid versions are expected to be sold in the United Kingdom (UK) – where the ban on the sale of ICE vehicles was moved forward to 2032 when the current government won office in July 2024 – and the EU to meet emissions laws. Volkswagen will move production of the ICE-powered Golf – currently made in Germany, China and Malaysia – to Mexico as it begins production of the battery-electric Golf in Wolfsburg. The Mexico move also enables Volkswagen to produce non-hybrid petrol and diesel Golfs for South American and other markets where there may be no electric car mandates or ICE restrictions. The ninth-generation battery-electric Golf will be the first to use a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform – the Volkswagen Group's SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) – but its introduction was delayed by software development issues which have also impacted other electric models from Audi and Porsche. A partnership with US electric truck maker Rivian – which Volkswagen Group also tapped for the relaunch of the Scout brand – was announced in mid-2024 with the aim of fast-tracking software and EV development. When sorted, the SSP will bring an 800V electrical architecture, longer driving range, 350kW DC fast-charging – including bi-directional charging – and modular battery construction. The move to an electric Golf won't see the end of the German auto giant's legendary Golf GTI and Golf R performance models. Volkswagen's head of technical development, Kai Grünitz, previously confirmed the Golf GTI will live on beyond 2028 – but stopped short of confirming an electric version of the iconic hot hatch. If an electric Golf GTI is added to the lineup, it won't appear until at least 2030, following the launch of the bread-and-butter lineup. The higher-spec Golf R will go electric too, with Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer telling Car magazine in early 2024 that the next Golf R will employ the SSP architecture exclusively, meaning it will be solely electric. Schäfer had previously said Volkswagen would be "crazy" to kill off its GTI and R performance sub-brands in the Golf's move to electrification. Content originally sourced from: The Volkswagen Golf will reportedly be offered with both combustion and battery-electric powertrains well into the next decade. Autocar reports that a heavily updated version of the recently released Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf will remain on sale – powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) – alongside the new ninth-generation battery-electric small car that's due to launch in 2029 and is expected to arrive in Australia the following year. Volkswagen has previously said it will keep selling ICE versions of the current Golf until the European Union's (EU) ban on the sale of new vehicles with ICE powertrains in 2035, which remains in place despite resistance from some political groups in Europe. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. This would make the Mk8 Golf, launched in 2019, the longest-serving generation of the iconic nameplate to serve in new-car showrooms, stretching to 16 years. Petrol-electric hybrid versions are expected to be sold in the United Kingdom (UK) – where the ban on the sale of ICE vehicles was moved forward to 2032 when the current government won office in July 2024 – and the EU to meet emissions laws. Volkswagen will move production of the ICE-powered Golf – currently made in Germany, China and Malaysia – to Mexico as it begins production of the battery-electric Golf in Wolfsburg. The Mexico move also enables Volkswagen to produce non-hybrid petrol and diesel Golfs for South American and other markets where there may be no electric car mandates or ICE restrictions. The ninth-generation battery-electric Golf will be the first to use a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform – the Volkswagen Group's SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) – but its introduction was delayed by software development issues which have also impacted other electric models from Audi and Porsche. A partnership with US electric truck maker Rivian – which Volkswagen Group also tapped for the relaunch of the Scout brand – was announced in mid-2024 with the aim of fast-tracking software and EV development. When sorted, the SSP will bring an 800V electrical architecture, longer driving range, 350kW DC fast-charging – including bi-directional charging – and modular battery construction. The move to an electric Golf won't see the end of the German auto giant's legendary Golf GTI and Golf R performance models. Volkswagen's head of technical development, Kai Grünitz, previously confirmed the Golf GTI will live on beyond 2028 – but stopped short of confirming an electric version of the iconic hot hatch. If an electric Golf GTI is added to the lineup, it won't appear until at least 2030, following the launch of the bread-and-butter lineup. The higher-spec Golf R will go electric too, with Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer telling Car magazine in early 2024 that the next Golf R will employ the SSP architecture exclusively, meaning it will be solely electric. Schäfer had previously said Volkswagen would be "crazy" to kill off its GTI and R performance sub-brands in the Golf's move to electrification. Content originally sourced from: The Volkswagen Golf will reportedly be offered with both combustion and battery-electric powertrains well into the next decade. Autocar reports that a heavily updated version of the recently released Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf will remain on sale – powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) – alongside the new ninth-generation battery-electric small car that's due to launch in 2029 and is expected to arrive in Australia the following year. Volkswagen has previously said it will keep selling ICE versions of the current Golf until the European Union's (EU) ban on the sale of new vehicles with ICE powertrains in 2035, which remains in place despite resistance from some political groups in Europe. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. This would make the Mk8 Golf, launched in 2019, the longest-serving generation of the iconic nameplate to serve in new-car showrooms, stretching to 16 years. Petrol-electric hybrid versions are expected to be sold in the United Kingdom (UK) – where the ban on the sale of ICE vehicles was moved forward to 2032 when the current government won office in July 2024 – and the EU to meet emissions laws. Volkswagen will move production of the ICE-powered Golf – currently made in Germany, China and Malaysia – to Mexico as it begins production of the battery-electric Golf in Wolfsburg. The Mexico move also enables Volkswagen to produce non-hybrid petrol and diesel Golfs for South American and other markets where there may be no electric car mandates or ICE restrictions. The ninth-generation battery-electric Golf will be the first to use a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform – the Volkswagen Group's SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) – but its introduction was delayed by software development issues which have also impacted other electric models from Audi and Porsche. A partnership with US electric truck maker Rivian – which Volkswagen Group also tapped for the relaunch of the Scout brand – was announced in mid-2024 with the aim of fast-tracking software and EV development. When sorted, the SSP will bring an 800V electrical architecture, longer driving range, 350kW DC fast-charging – including bi-directional charging – and modular battery construction. The move to an electric Golf won't see the end of the German auto giant's legendary Golf GTI and Golf R performance models. Volkswagen's head of technical development, Kai Grünitz, previously confirmed the Golf GTI will live on beyond 2028 – but stopped short of confirming an electric version of the iconic hot hatch. If an electric Golf GTI is added to the lineup, it won't appear until at least 2030, following the launch of the bread-and-butter lineup. The higher-spec Golf R will go electric too, with Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer telling Car magazine in early 2024 that the next Golf R will employ the SSP architecture exclusively, meaning it will be solely electric. Schäfer had previously said Volkswagen would be "crazy" to kill off its GTI and R performance sub-brands in the Golf's move to electrification. Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VW eyeing GTI version of the ID.1 EV
As EVs become more affordable, many buyers hope automakers also work to electrify vehicles they've come to love over the years. Smaller VWs, like the Golf and Rabbit, have enthusiastic fan bases who are passionate about GTI versions of those vehicles. If VW has its way, the (or just ID.1 for short) could be the next small VW with a rabid fanbase of GTI enthusiasts. Of course, a lot hinges on whether we see a GTI ID.1, but it's exciting that VW is even considering another electrified GTI. The VW ID.1 is destined for Europe, with VW saying it is 'from Europe, for Europe.' This small hatchback is meant for city-dwellers who want to remain independently CEO Thomas Schäfer describes the ID.1 as 'the last piece of the puzzle,' adding that "this is the car the world has been waiting for.' It's also the first car built in collaboration with Rivian, which is aiding VW with software architecture for its next-generation EVs. While we won't see the ID.1 stateside, a GTI version could be produced if it sells to Autocar, Volkswagen's Technical Lead Kai Grünitz said the possibility of an ID.1 GTI is not out of the question. 'We're using modules from the MEB platform, but it depends on various factors, including customers' reactions to this car," Grünitz said. 'Also, we have the and we have the ID.2all, which will get a GTI version. Having everything in the ID.1 would mean it's not necessary to have everything in the ID.2. The car [ID.2] is larger and has a lot more functions and more value. It's the same as with an Up and a Polo. So we will see.'VW is set to deliver a Golf GTI EV in 2026, so the U.S. will soon have an electrified VW EV Golf GTI is more aligned with the ID.2, so a GTI ID.1 would be a touch smaller, like a Rabbit GTI compared to a Golf GTI. The EV Golf GTI and ID.2 are built on the MEB 21 platform, streamlining modular auto production in the EV realm. The EV Golf GTI will reportedly have 320 horsepower and the same engine as the ID.7. It's believed to start at $40,000. The VW GTI is an enthusiast's vehicle. Golf die-hards love the GTI and have lively discussions about the best iteration. Even casual onlookers know GTIs as tiny but mighty street racers. Like all automakers, VW wants to engage those enthusiast groups in the era of electrification. The GTI nameplate helps VW stand out, and it will make a huge difference if VW can create a fleet of solid EVs from which we want a bit more oomph. While we'd like the ID.1 to come stateside (heck, call it a Rabbit, we won't mind), it would be just as lovely to see Europe get an insanely powerful small EV from a brand with a long history of making them.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen's cheapest EV ever is the first to use Rivian software
Volkswagen's ultra-cheap EV called the ID EVERY1 — a small four-door hatchback revealed Wednesday — will be the first to roll out with software and architecture from Rivian, according to a source familiar with the new model. The EV is expected to go into production in 2027 with a starting price of 20,000 euros ($21,500). A second EV called the ID.2all, which will be priced in the 25,000 euro price category, will be available in 2026. Both vehicles are part of the automaker's new category of electric urban front-wheel-drive cars that are being developed under the "Brand Group Core" that makes up the volume brands in the VW Group. And both vehicles are for the European market. The EVERY1 will be the first to ship with Rivian's vehicle architecture and software as part of a $5.8 billion joint venture struck last year between the German automaker and U.S. EV maker. The ID.2all is based on the E3 1.1 architecture and software developed by VW's software unit Cariad. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. VW didn't name Rivian in its reveal Wednesday, although there were numerous nods to next-generation software. Kai Grünitz, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for technical development, noted it would be the first model in the entire VW Group to use a "fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture." "This means the future entry-level Volkswagen can be equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle," he said. "Even after purchase of a new car, the small Volkswagen can still be individually adapted to customer needs." Sources who didn't want to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to TechCrunch that Rivian's software will be in the ID EVERY1 EV. TechCrunch has reached out to Rivian and VW and will update the article if the companies respond. The new joint venture provides Rivian with a needed influx of cash and the opportunity to diversify its business. Meanwhile, VW Group gains a next-generation electrical architecture and software for EVs that will help it better compete. Both companies have said that the joint venture, called Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, will reduce development costs and help scale new technologies more quickly. The joint venture is a 50-50 partnership with co-CEOs. Rivian's head of software, Wassym Bensaid, and Volkswagen Group's chief technical engineer, Carsten Helbing, will lead the joint venture. The team will be based initially in Palo Alto, California. Three other sites are in development in North America and Europe, the companies have previously said. "The ID. EVERY1 represents the last piece of the puzzle on our way to the widest model selection in the volume segment," Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand and head of the Brand Group Core, said in a statement. "We will then offer every customer the right car with the right drive system — including affordable all-electric entry-level mobility. Our goal is to be the world's technologically leading high-volume manufacturer by 2030. And as a brand for everyone — just as you would expect from Volkswagen." The Volkswagen ID EVERY1 is just a concept for now — and with only a few details attached to the unveiling. The concept vehicle reaches a top speed of 130 km/h (80 miles per hour) and is powered by a newly developed electric drive motor with 70 kW, according to Volkswagen. The German automaker said the range on the EVERY1 will be at least 250 kilometers (150 miles). The vehicle is small but larger than VW's former UP! vehicle. The company said it will have enough space for four people and a luggage compartment volume of 305 liters.
