New Mini Cooper and VW ID. GTI set for electrifying hot hatch battle
They’re cute, compact and set to be a blast on a backroad or charging through the city. Electric iterations of two of the hottest nameplates in the hatchback scene—the Mini Cooper and Volkswagen GTI—have just been revealed.
VW’s ID. GTI concept car is the first of its new electric sub-brand to wear the tantalising TLA (Three Letter Acronym) that made its debut on the Golf in 1975. Based on the little ID. 2all VW is promising “a new, powerful GTI feeling in the way the first electric GTI unleashes its dynamic capabilities.”
In the original car, “I” stood for injection, but now it means “Intelligence,” says VW. The ID. GTI has an electronically-controlled locking front differential like the latest Golf GTI and a Vehicle Dynamics Manager that offers a wide range of driving profiles. The car’s performance, steering, sound and even simulated gear shifts can all be set, with the latter modelled on the original GTI, the MkII 16v and the 25th anniversary editions.
The car’s exterior has all the trademark features we’ve come to expect from a red-surrounded radiator grille, to inspired bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler, diffuser, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, inside the new ID. GTI goes back to its roots with a simple interior featuring checkered upholstery and the drive selector even apes the original golf ball style gear knob.
Power is a healthy 226 hp which means the ID. GTI should sprint to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds, while its range is claimed to be 273 miles when it goes on sale in 2027 priced from €30,000 ($33,000) in Europe.
You won’t have to wait nearly as long for the next electric Mini Cooper, which is set for sale in spring 2024. This fifth generation of the Mini may look like a minor evolution from the outside, but beneath the skin it’s a whole new car.
Now sitting on a purpose-designed EV platform, which will be built in China under a joint venture with parent BMW and Great Wall, the Mini Cooper will come with two powertrains. The entry-level E will get 184hp plus a 40.7 kWh battery that will see it to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 99 mph, while delivering a range of 190 miles. The more potent SE version gets 218 hp from a 54.2 kWh pack, cuts the sprint to 62 mph down to 6.7 seconds and increased range to 250 miles (expect the EPA to rate it rather lower). Among seven drive modes are a Go Kart setting, which provides maximum performance, sharpened steering response and reduced intervention from the car’s traction control.
The Mini’s cabin is dominated by a huge circular central OLED screen, but there are a few reassuringly tactile switches as well, plus a voice assistant to take care of a variety of controls if you wish. The interior features recycled polyester materials, and Vescin synthetic leather for the sports seats.
The Mini Cooper E looks set to be priced on a par with the VW ID as well as coming close on performance. With the Abarth 500e already available and Alpine’s A290 coming along the new world of electric hatches is hotting up.
What do these 2 cars weigh?
Not a fan of big screens in cars, the Mini circle version is a different idea though.
This is more like what could make sense for EV… smaller vehicles primarily used in urban areas (i.e., not towing trailers down cottage/logging roads), able to go on a longer trip. Embrace the fun aspect of being a posh go-cart…
The USD price even seems alright, but someone is going to make an EV Chevette/Neon/70s Tercel with minimalistic features and sell lots?
The mini interior looks stupid but the Volkswagen is alright I guess… Miata is leagues better than both of them I might consider the VW if I’m alive in 30 years when my Miata dies. Live by the throttle die by the throttle
So this is how China is going to get their cars sold in the U.S. Nobody would buy a Chinese-branded car today, but sneak it in as a Mini and those none-the-wiser can be the first to be tricked. Eventually, there will be enough rebranded Chinese vehicles that people won’t think twice about buying them.
I am all for electric but stale styling, “Sound” and simulated gear shifts, huge OLED screen, synthetic leather and 7 seconds 0-60. Ho hum. Go Kart mode sounds interesting. Stop with the retro stuff, reimagine the sporty electric car of the future and give us something new and exciting. Otherwise I will just shop for used IC cars.
Hard pass.
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I’m more interested in charging times. If I have to stop during a trip to charge up and have to wait hours!!? Give me a break! The technology has not reached a point that makes it viable. Electricity is great but you still have to use oil, coal, or other types of fuel to generate the power to charge it. I’ll keep my Corvette!
You mean like Buick?
This was meant as a response to Tim about sneaking Electric cars into the U.S.
Seems to me as though many manufacturers are putting their better stylists on EV projects. Maybe Toyota & Lexus designs might soon be palatable ? But the whole EV thing is bogus, no matter how much heavy breathing we hear from the media and so many who allegedly write for the auto enthusiast.
The mini gives you a range of 190 miles from a full charge?!? PASS! My 08 Mini gets me 400 miles from 1 tank of gas. I’m currently driving a Polestar as a rental, and the whole “monitoring my charge so I don’t end up stranded somewhere” is a whole different mindset for driving. It’s a terrible thing.