Nearly fifty years ago, Volkswagen changed the hatchback world forever with the Golf GTI. The “GTI” moniker stood for Grand Touring Injection, a nod to the four-cylinder engine’s fuel injection system at a time when carburetors still ruled the roads. A lot has changed since then, but one thing remained constant: GTIs were powered by gas. Well, it looks like that’s about to change.

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Volkswagen is now working on the next era for the GTI sub-brand, one that will see the performance label expanding into a variety of segments with new models. However, unlike what we’re used to, all future GTI offerings will feature fully electric powertrains, with VW promising to deliver a “mind-blowing” driving experience.

The company has already confirmed the production version of the ID.2 GTI, with plans to follow it up with the next-generation Golf GTI. But those two won’t be the only GTI-branded models. According to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer, these electric hot hatches will “start a whole group of GTIs,” hinting at even more electric performance models on the horizon.

The Electric GTI Revolution

While Schafer didn’t dive into specifics, there have been rumors about an ID.3 GTI, along with the possibility of an entry-level ID.1 GTI, assuming there’s enough demand for the slightly larger ID.2 GTI, which is set to arrive first. And let’s not forget about the potential for performance versions of VW’s electric SUVs, which have already proven their chops with the GTX models.

Schafer, speaking with Autocar, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the electric Golf GTI’s development. While the current gasoline-powered version of the hot hatch is expected to run “very well into the end of this decade,” Volkswagen is already testing prototypes of its fully electric successor, which will be built on the new SSP platform.

Schafer, who’s taken some GTI prototypes for a spin, says that an electric Golf can still offer an exciting, authentic experience. He describes the new setup as “mind-blowing,” promising that the electric hot hatch will be “a monster car.”

He also emphasized that the aim isn’t just to make it fast, as VW wants to make sure the electric GTI models feel distinct from their standard counterparts. Expect upgrades in sound and handling, along with the inevitable performance improvements.

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This lines up with comments from VW’s technical boss, Kai Grunitz, who noted that electric GTIs will be about more than just raw power. The focus, he says, will be on “drivability,” ensuring that these models aren’t just fast, but fun.

A 2026 Debut?

While Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed a debut date for the first electric GTI, it could arrive in 2026, which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original Golf GTI. With the ID.2 (or whatever VW decides to name it) set for release next year, it’s possible the first electric GTI will be unveiled next summer during the GTI festival in Wolfsburg. Looks like the future of hot hatches might be electrifying, after all.

The VW Golf GTI has earned its place as one of the most iconic hot hatches in history, but even this legend isn’t immune to the electric revolution. Just after Volkswagen announced it’s working on an ID.3 GTI, company boss Thomas Schafer confirmed that an electric Golf GTI will be hitting the market towards the end of the decade.

The new electric Golf will be built on VW’s SSP platform, but it’s still a while off because the current combustion Golf will stick around until at least the end of the decade. Even though the electric GTI is years away from production, development is already well underway. Schafer is adamant it will stay true to the GTI spirit, maintaining that front-wheel drive layout fans know and love.

Read: VW Is Making A New GTI, But Not The One We Want

“At the end of the decade we will bring an electric Golf [GTI], and that will be a monster car,” he told Auto Express. “I’m very happy with the progress. It’s cool. You can make it exciting, it has to be exciting, it has to be authentic. If we bring a GTI, it has to be a [true] GTI.”

While VW hasn’t yet built a physical prototype of the electric Golf GTI, the car’s dimensions and basic platform are already locked in, though, as Schafer pointed out, the final design isn’t fully set yet. “We have many iteration steps to get through,” he added, likely referencing the challenges of perfecting this new chapter of the GTI legacy.

A FWD Beast

Like all previous Golf GTI models before it, the new one will funnel its power exclusively through the front wheels, despite the current ID.3 GTX and future ID.3 GTX being sold as rear-wheel drive hatches. Fighting to put immense power to the ground without loads of torque steer in a front-wheel drive car can be difficult, but it’s possible the Golf GTI could match the 322 hp of the ID.3 version, which itself is roughly the same as the all-wheel drive Golf R. Some trick software systems to control this power at the front end efficiently will be a necessity.

And it won’t just be the GTI going electric. Schafer confirmed that an all-electric Golf R is also in the works. This will retain the all-wheel drive layout of the current model, meaning more power, better performance, and a continuation of the high-performance Golf formula we know and love. So, the electric future of the Golf lineup? It’s coming, and it’s definitely not going to be a boring ride.

Back in April, Renault gave us a bit of a price shocker when they announced that their widebody, all-electric R5 Turbo 3E, a tribute to the iconic 5 Turbo, would set buyers back an astonishing €155,000 (a little over $175,000 at current exchange rates). Naturally, many scoffed at the idea of an electric hot hatch costing more than a new Porsche 911 GTS, but as it turns out, demand for the car is, well, shockingly strong.

Read: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Is An Electric Hyper Hatch With Over 500 HP

At their recent Annual General Meeting in France, Renault shared some interesting news: within just one week of the R5 Turbo 3E’s launch, they had secured an impressive 850 orders for the 1,980 units they plan to produce worldwide. What makes this even more noteworthy is that these allocations aren’t as simple as a quick call to your local Renault dealer. Securing one of these hyper hatches is a bit more complicated – and a lot more costly than you might think.

A Hefty Deposit for a Hefty Price Tag

To get in line for the R5 Turbo 3E, prospective buyers need to fork over a non-refundable deposit of €45,000 (around $51,000). This means Renault has already pocketed a cool €38.25 million ($43.2 million) in deposits. The company has confirmed that these funds will help complete the development of the hot new EV, so it’s not just the customers who are investing in this electric dream.

Just a few days after Renault first announced that order books for the car would open, company boss Fabrice Cambolive took to LinkedIn to confirm that 500 customer reservations had already been placed alongside an additional 200 from its dealers. Evidently, there are more people out there willing to spend an extraordinary amount of money on an exciting Renault.

Impressive Specs for a Pricey Package

The R5 Turbo 3E is based around a carbon fiber monocoque with two in-wheel motors out back. Together, they churn out a combined 540 horsepower, propelling the sub-compact car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds.

Under the hood, the 70 kWh battery pack and 800-volt electrical architecture should give the car a range of over 250 miles (400 km). And, if you’re in a hurry, a quick 15-minute charge can take the battery from 15% to 80%. So, while it may cost an arm and a leg, at least you’ll be getting some serious performance in return.

If you’re a car enthusiast with a burning desire to own a piece of automotive history (and, let’s be honest, an ample bank account to match), Renault is about to offer you the opportunity to splurge. The company has just announced that the all-electric Renault 5 Turbo 3E will carry a price tag starting at €155,000 (about $177,000 at current exchange rates) or £135,000, with deliveries set to begin in 2027.

For those keeping track, that’s more than the price of a new Porsche 911 GTS ($169K) in America or two new BMW M2s (£68K) in the UK. In fact, for the price of this limited-edition hot hatch, you could buy a BMW M2 ($65K), a Hyundai Ioniq 5N ($66K), and a VW Golf GTI ($32K), totaling $163K in the US! And, because this is a limited-edition model, only 1,980 of these hyper hatchbacks will roll off the production line. So, if you’re planning to snatch one up, you better move fast, or prepare to pay even more.

A Throwback to the Turbo Legends

Renault lifted the lid on the new R5 Turbo 3E late last year after first previewing it as a concept in 2022. It’s been conceived as a modern-day interpretation of the legendary Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. It looks absolutely brilliant and packs quite a punch, too, but interested shoppers had better be quick to secure an allocation, or they may end up paying even more.

Read: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Is An Electric Hyper Hatch With Over 500 HP

According to the French brand, the factory price of €155,000 (~$177,000) or £135,000 is limited to the first 500 units. That price also comes before any options, accessories, and personalization choices. What’s more, those who want to secure an allocation must hand over an eye-watering €45,000 (~$51,000) downpayment. Oh, and by the way, that amount is non-refundable, so you’d better be sure you really, really intend to buy it.

It seems Renault needs this money to finish the car. In a press release, Renault said that funds secured from downpayments from private customers, as well as any dealers securing an allocation, will “contribute to financing the development of Renault 5 Turbo 3E.”

Customization and Delivery Timeline

From early 2026, shoppers will be contacted by their selected dealer and can then customize their car. They’ll also be given a chance to meet with Renault designers to create a bespoke exterior and interior livery, should they wish.

Underpinning the 5 Turbo 3E is a bespoke carbon fiber monocoque chassis with two in-wheel electric motors at the rear. It delivers 540 hp and can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds. Providing the motors with juice is a 70 kWh battery pack. The electric uber-hatch an 800-volt architecture, allowing it to be charged from 15 to 80% in just 15 minutes. It sports a quoted range of over 250 miles (400 km).

A Few Rivals, Sort Of

The R5 Turbo 3E doesn’t have any direct competitors, but if we’re being real, the closest comparison might be the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Sure, it’s not limited edition, doesn’t have a carbon fiber chassis, and lacks the R5 Turbo’s legacy, but it does offer more power and costs about half as much.

But, for those who hold nostalgia in high regard (and we know you do), the Ioniq 5 N is missing something crucial: a bit of history and flair that the Renault 5 Turbo packs in spades.

Peugeot has confirmed that it will launch a GTi version of the all-electric e-208 hatch. While limited details about it are known at this stage, it could very well make for an appealing proposition to buyers who’d like to purchase an EV, but also want something engaging to drive.

The new e-208 GTi will be the brand’s first performance-focused electric vehicle and is set to be launched “as soon as possible.” While recently speaking to the media, Peugeot boss Alain Favey said relaunching the GTi brand will help it “reconnect” with its past and history while also establishing a link between Peugeot’s road cars and its involvement in the World Endurance Championship.

Read: 2024 Peugeot 208 Looks Even More Stylish And Has More Impressive Tech

“I’m in a position to confirm that we will reintroduce the GTi on the e-208 as soon as possible,” Favey told Autocar. “We’ve made the decision that Peugeot GTi will be reintroduced. We want to continue to nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations and the fact that our cars produce particular driving sensations, either as a driver or as someone that is being driven in the car.”

The GTi version of the e-208 will use the same platform as the standard model, but could borrow powertrain components from the Abarth 600e. That car is powered by a front-mounted electric motor with 237 hp and comes equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential. Given that the e-208 is a bit smaller than the 600e, Peugeot’s hot hatch should be pretty nippy, perhaps capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 6 seconds.

Favey added that, apart from the e-208, Peugeot will consider launching a new combustion-engined GTi if that’s what customers want.

“We will start with the 208 and [are] definitely listening to your inputs, or what our customers will say as well,” he said. “We don’t exclude that there might be other executions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge, but for today there’s absolutely nothing planned in that sense.”

A flurry of orders, rave reviews and a Car of the Year gong proved Renault made the right decision bringing the 5 back as an EV, and now it’s taken the retro-electric idea a step further. The 5 Turbo 3E is a 535 hp (540 PS) tribute to the nutty 1980s Renault 5 Turbo rally car that reaches showrooms in 2027.

Related: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Is An Electric Hyper Hatch With Over 500 HP

Though it looks like a regular front-wheel drive 5 EV with a wide-arch kit (and you can bet plenty will be converted), the Turbo 3E is built around a bespoke aluminium platform and carries over only a few details like the rear lights and door mirrors. At 1,450 kg (3,200 lbs) VW Golf GTi.

Dual Motors, Drift Mode, and Serious Speed

It features two in-wheel motors at the back making 200 kW (268 hp / 272 PS) each and Renault promises it’ll be capable of pulling off some epic slides with the help of a drift-assist function and rally-style vertical handbrake. A sub-3.5-second zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) time is quoted, which means performance should be on a par with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

A 70 kWh battery housed under the floor provides up to 248 miles (400 km) of range when driven sensibly, and unlike the everyday 5 EV, this one has 800-volt electrics, meaning it can handle 350 kW charging and fill from 15-80 percent in 15 minutes.

Compared with the stock 5 the two-seat Turbo’s 2,570 mm (101.2 inches) wheelbase is 30 mm (1.2 inches) longer and the windscreen moved back to alter the proportions. Renault says the platform was developed by Alpine so we’d be amazed if this isn’t the same architecture we’ll find under the skin of the new A110 electric sports car due very soon.

Twenty-inch wheels tucked under each distended arch appear much bigger than that and upper vents cut into each rear quarter panel send air exiting through the rear bodywork. Their lower counterparts, meanwhile are used to cool the brakes. We don’t get to see much of the interior in Renault’s picture gallery but it tells us to expect six-point harnesses, carbon trim, Alcantara coverings and 10.1-inch and 10.25-inch OpenR screens.

Retro Colors, Price TBD

Renault launched the 3E in colors that tip a hat to the 1982 Tour de Corse livery of the original Turbo, but other colors and graphics will be available, some retro and others contemporary. There’ll also be plenty of personalization options to help part wealthy buyers from even more money.

Exactly how much money they’ll need to spend to get their hands on one of the 1,980 Turbos (that number a reference to the rally car’s launch date), Renault isn’t saying. But we’re expecting it to be in the junior supercar category. American sales aren’t planned, but fans in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Australia will get the chance to place an order in the next few weeks with first deliveries scheduled for 2027.

Volkswagen has confirmed that a fully electric ID.2 GTI is coming next year, but it seems that an even smaller hot hatchback might be in the works. A VW board member has revealed that an ID.1 GTI could happen, given there is enough customer demand.

While the ID.2 GTI will carry the torch from the soon-to-be discontinued Polo GTI, a possible ID.1 GTI could serve as a successor to the Up! GTI. The smallest member of the future GTI lineup would also be the most affordable, making hot hatch thrills accessible to a wider audience.

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When asked by Autocar about the possibility of an ID.1 GTI, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development Kai Grunitz said: “It could happen because we’re using modules from the MEB platform. So it could. But it depends on various factors, including the reaction of customers to this car.”

However, Grunitz mentioned the potential overlap with the slightly larger ID.2 GTI that will launch in 2026: “Also we have the ID.Every1 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 ID.2 is larger and has a lot more functions and more value. It’s the same as with the Up! and the Polo. So we will see.”

Illustrations: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops

It seems that the sales performance of the upcoming ID.2 GTI might determine whether the ID.1 GTI gets made or not as VW is dipping its toes on the performance EV market. Given that the strict emission regulations have drastically increased the R&D cost for ICE-powered hot hatches, the fully electric equivalents seem to be the only way forward in this segment.

VW Has All The Right Ingredients For A Small GTI

The ID.1 and the ID.2 will ride on the same MEB Entry architecture, with a single-motor, FWD layout. In the ID.Every1 Concept the powertrain is good for 94 hp (95 PS / 70 kW), but the ID.2all Concept had a more potent motor generating 228 hp (170 kW / 231 PS). The latter sounds like a great fit for a small and lightweight ID.1 GTI, transforming it into a pocket rocket.

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Besides the extra power, VW engineers could add a limited-slip differential, a stiffer suspension, and stronger brakes, enhancing the handling credentials of the small EV.

Of course, the performance-focused version of the ID.1 would also benefit from a sporty redesign. Our exclusive rendering borrows styling cues from the ID.GTI concept, transforming the city car into a hot hatch. Modifications could include a new set of alloy wheels, sportier front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts, a rear spoiler, and GTI emblems.

Given that the launch of the VW ID.1 is scheduled for 2027, a GTI version is at least two or three years away. Hopefully, customers will embrace this new era of performance, motivating automakers to invest in hot versions of their city car and supermini offerings.