Volkswagen intends to leave the crowd in awe at the Worthersee Meeting (Wortherseetreffen) – the largest VW and Audi car show in Europe – with its new GTI Worthersee concept.
It has been 10 years since VW started its famed show car projects at Worthersee. To celebrate those 10 years, the 10th and latest GTI Worthersee concept was promptly named VW Golf GTI First Decade. This is the first GTI to feature a hybrid drive system – a combination of a conventional engine and an electric motor.
A petrol mill delivers 410 PS (300 kW) of power output to the front wheels while a 48-volt electric motor provides 12 kW of propulsive power to the rear wheels. Interestingly, these two drive systems could operate separately, which means the new VW Golf GTI First Decade could be driven conventionally, or in pure electric mode. Of course, the engine and electric could operate together for an all-wheel drive experience.
Drivers could choose and control any of the three modes through a tablet app or through the infotainment display via Mirror Link. Amazingly, the VW Golf GTI First Decade features regenerative braking, with recovered braking energy stored on the two batteries located in the rear.
Inside, the GTI First Decade is provided two handcrafted sports seats in titanium black nappa leather/Alcantara combo with decorative blue stitching; with the driver's seat capable of being adjusted electrically through an app on a smartphone or tablet. The central section features an embroidered "10" at the top. The interior also features strips in Ocean Satin Shimmer color, especially on the air outlets and the instrument cluster. The dark blue trim located above the glove compartment comes with the "First Decade" logo in Satin Ocean Shimmer color. The rear cabin is home to a high-end 1,690-watt sound system with 11 loudspeakers and a subwoofer.
The VW GTI First Decade is a work of 13 VW apprentices – with ages between 18 and 23 years old. These apprentices came from six vocations, each working on their own specialties as motor vehicle mechatronics technicians; vehicle interior fitters; vehicle paint technicians; media designer; technical product designer; and process technicians. These 13 apprentices spent less than nine months to create the VW GTI First Decade.
Aside from the VW GTI First Decade concept, there’s also the VW Golf GTE Estate impulse – the work of 14 apprentices from Volkswagen Sachsen. On the outside, the GTE is wrapped with a five-tone matt paint scheme with the colors Anthracite, Apassionata Blue, Hallmark, Oryx White and St. James Red. Its hood features a number of vents that have been added to the hood. The color scheme also extends on steering wheel, center console and the gear shifter.