Volkswagen ID. GTI to come with fake engine noises

It appears Volkswagen's upcoming electric hot hatch, the ID. GTI will skip the simulated gear shifts – a feature offered by other carmakers like Hyundai in their Ioniq 5 N. Instead, they’re aiming to please (or perhaps tease) your ears with faux engine sounds.

People are creatures of habit so understandably some find EVs, despite their groundbreaking advancements, to lack the visceral sensation that traditional gas-powered cars offer. Volkswagen aimed to bridge this gap with the GTI Experience Control system in their ID. GTI Concept. This system was designed to imbue the electric vehicle with a driving feel reminiscent of the iconic '76 Golf GTI. But, as much as purists were hopeful, the promise of simulated gear shifts in the production model has gone up in wisps of electric smoke.

Kai Gruenitz, the big brain at VW's R&D department, confirmed that the production ID. GTI wouldn’t be featuring these pretend shifts. Perhaps Volkswagen thinks drivers will find solace in the fake engine sounds that aim to mimic their combustion-engine counterparts. Is it a consolation prize for the lack of that gearbox feeling, or an innovative approach to the ever-evolving world of electric cars?

While it’s easy to nitpick over the absence of certain features, it's evident that Volkswagen is focusing on agility and performance for the ID. GTI. As per Gruenitz, the goal is to craft an EV that's agile, direct, and allows drivers to really "feel the road" with specialized damper settings. With an electronic differential in the mix, handling promises to be smooth sailing.

In terms of sheer power, Volkswagen is playing its cards close to its chest. Specific performance metrics remain undisclosed. However, for context, consider this: The ID. GTI is being benchmarked against the ID.2, which boasts 223 horsepower. One can then deduce that the upcoming hot hatch will possess power that surpasses this figure. Staying true to its lineage, this EV powerhouse will feature front-wheel drive, mirroring the much-loved VW Golf.

Expected to make its grand debut in the next three years, the production model of the ID. GTI might not bring simulated gear-shifting to the table. However, the company is certainly making efforts elsewhere to optimize driving feel. Among the slated enhancements are a lowered center of gravity and a reduction in the weight of the battery pack.

The original Volkswagen Golf GTI of 1976 was considered one of the first widely popular "hot hatches," setting the standard for performance in a compact package. 2026 will mark 50 years since the emergence of the entirely new vehicle category and the debut of the new ID. GTI will be a perfect way to celebrate that occasion - and at the same time to ponder over how much the GTI has grown. Will it be quick? Sure. Will it be light and nimble? You can bet your bottom dollar it won’t.

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