Volkswagen has provided an early preview of its most iconic model's future—the Golf. During a March 2026 works council meeting, the automaker showed employees the first silhouette of the next-generation, fully electric Golf, expected to lead the brand's electrification push.
The released image, shared by German union IG Metall, appears to confirm the model will combine the classic Golf name with Volkswagen's electric ID branding, likely as the "ID. Golf." This supports reports that the electric hatchback will succeed the ID.3 while carrying the historic Golf nameplate.
The silhouette maintains the Golf's traditional five-door hatchback shape, with pronounced fenders and the signature rear pillar design. Unlike the distinct ID.3, this electric Golf will not have a radically separate design from its combustion-engine sibling.
Production plans are shifting: gasoline Golf assembly will move to Mexico in 2027, freeing the Wolfsburg plant for the ID. Golf. The combustion model may continue alongside the EV for some time, possibly receiving a major update.
The ID. Golf will be built on Volkswagen Group's new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), developed with Rivian. It will feature 800-volt charging, cell-to-pack battery tech, and likely offer GTI and R performance variants. A launch is anticipated around 2028.