Volkswagen’s electric hot hatch will borrow something from Hyundai

After five decades, Volkswagen is preparing to introduce its first electric GTI this year. Volkswagen is already preparing a Clubsport version of the electric hot hatch that will borrow a feature from Hyundai.

It’s been almost three years since Volkswagen first unveiled the ID. GTI concept at the IAA Auto Show in September 2023.

This year marks the GTI’s 50th anniversary, and to celebrate, Volkswagen will launch the first all-electric GTI vehicle later this year.

We got a sneak peek of it at last year’s Munich Motor Show after Volkswagen revealed the ID. Polo GTI, a prototype of the upcoming electric hot hatch. The company confirmed at the event that the ID. GTI will go into production later this year as the ID. Polo GTI.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Volkswagen launched the standard ID. Polo in Europe just over a week ago, the first of its new family of entry-level EVs.

Next up is the ID. Cross, an electric counterpart to the T-Cross, set to go on sale this summer, followed by the ID. Polo GTI.

We knew the electric hot hatch would be available in at least a few different variants after a blacked-out prototype was caught testing (via AutoEvolution, shown below) earlier this year. While the near-production model was expected to be an R-Line variant, we are learning that at least one more version is in the works.

VW’s EV hot hatch will offer Hyundai-like fake shifting

Volkswagen’s head of driving dynamics, Florian Umbach, told Autocar that the company is planning to launch a more powerful “Clubsport” variant.

While details have yet to be revealed, the report suggests the Clubsport model could deliver around 282 hp, up from 223 hp in the standard ID. Polo GTI, citing insider sources.

“We are working on something,” Umbach told Autocar, confirming, “There is certainly more peak power that we can find from the motor and battery hardware that we have, and more torque that the front axle could handle also.”

According to VW’s driving dynamics chief, the company is developing “a similar kind of paddleshift power delivery that the Hyundai N cars have” for the upcoming electric hot hatch.

Hyundai’s performance EVs, including the IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N, feature a simulated gear-shifting system called N e-Shift that uses paddle shifters on the steering wheel to replicate the feel of an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The system works with Hyundai’s N Active Sound+ to make it seem like you’re really shifting gears.

Since the ID. Polo already features a retro mode that transforms the digital cluster to resemble the first-generation (Mk1) Golf, integrating a gear shift system would make sense.

Volkswagen isn’t the only automaker stealing the idea from Hyundai. BMW and Porsche have both said they are looking to introduce fake gear shifting and sounds in upcoming performance EVs.

Volkswagen opened orders for the ID. Polo Life with the 155 kW drive and 52 kWh battery in Germany just over a week ago, starting at 33,795 euros ($40,000).

The base ID. Polo will follow this summer, starting at 24,995 euros ($29,000). We will learn prices closer to launch, but the ID. Polo GTI is expected to start at closer to 38,000 euros ($45,000). The Clubsport model will likely cost around 40,000 euros ($47,000) to 45,000 euros ($53,000).