- The Golf Design Vision GTI premiered 13 years ago.
- VW’s one-of-a-kind hot hatch had a V6 engine and only two seats.
- Despite the GTI badge, it had all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen’s 50th anniversary celebrations for the Golf GTI are in full swing. To mark such an important milestone, the Germans are dusting off concept cars that dared to stray from the usual GTI formula. The rear-wheel-drive W12 from 2007 was the worst of them all, while the roofless roadster from 2014 was completely phased out of any production capacity.
A concept GTI that wasn’t so exotic was released in 2013, shortly after the seventh-generation Golf GTI hit the market. VW also pulled this one out of storage, and while it wasn’t as radical as the other two, it still had a lot to offer. Based on the now defunct three-door body style, the Design Vision GTI features an even tougher track-focused version than the New Edition 50.
Engineers at Wolfsburg shortened and lowered the body, widening it by 2.8 inches (71 mm) over the Mk7 GTI for a more aggressive stance. To further differentiate it from the road-going model, VW designed 20-inch center-lock wheels and fitted carbon-ceramic brakes at all four corners.
Photo by: Volkswagen
Inside, the design vision was quite different from the GTI production model. It not only ditched the rear seats to reduce weight, but also included a completely redesigned dashboard. I can’t remember if I noticed the similarities at the time, but the dash has a hint of an Audi R8 vibe. It dates back to a time when VW interiors prioritized functionality, even as this track-oriented, stripped-down concept retained physical buttons and knobs.
Behind the pair of bucket seats sat an X-shaped strut brace to stiffen the chassis, while two helmets strapped to the floor below underscored the concept’s track focus. Elsewhere, the red fabric doors looked like they came straight from a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and there was generous use of Alcantara and carbon fiber throughout the cabin.
Photo by: Volkswagen
Like the GTI Roadster concept mentioned earlier, the Design Vision GTI eschews the traditional front-wheel drive formula in favor of an all-wheel drive setup similar to the Golf R. The similarities extend to the engine, as this one-off uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that produces 503 hp and 413 Nm versus the NB50-50-55 Nm. GTI Roadster.
Mirroring the open-air Golf GTI, the concept also sent power to both axles via a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combination of the V6 and DSG, paired with the 4Motion system, enabled a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). Like the Roadster and the exotic W12 Little Monster, the Design Vision GTI was a fully drivable concept.
VW never intended to put the car into production. Its sole purpose was to attract crowds to the GTI enthusiast meeting on the shores of Lake Wörthersee. Like the other two concepts, it was reportedly a handful to drive. Although fully functional, it lacked the refinement expected of the production model.
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Source: Volkswagen
Motor1’s Tech: All three concepts remind us of a time when VW was eager to experiment with its flagship car. In 2026, the Golf GTI lineup is far less diverse than before. The three-door body style is long gone, and the manual gearbox has also been retired.
Looking at the glass as half full, VW remains committed to the performance hatchback and has no plans to retire the Golf GTI anytime soon. Even with an electric Golf in the works, the current-generation model will likely stick around and be available alongside an EV-only Mk9.
