Andreas Mindt on the ID. GTI concept and complexity in car design

Head of VW group design Andreas Mindt has spoken about the increasingly complex nature of car design and how suppliers can guide OEMs when it comes to technology. Mindt took time out from revealing the ID. GTI concept at SMMT Test Day 2024 to speak to Car Design News, emphasising the importance of engineering and design working more closely together.

“Of course, there’s a lot of engineering or technology that you have to implement but it’s not only aero. That is a high priority now because of the range of electric cars,” said Mindt. “But there are many more factors: you can save money on the batteries; there is more pedestrian safety legalisation; sensor sets; the door handles and so on. There’s a lot of elements you have to take care of.”

Mindt suggested that processes at Wolfsburg are changing to meet ever more stringent legislation and match the ever increasing speed of development that is being set by China. “Legislation is changing every day and so we have to change,” he said. “When you look at the headlights, the development in the past was very simple, and now it has become really complicated. You need a long lead time to develop parts and focus on these elements first.” The upshot, according to Mindt, is a much more collaborative relationship with suppliers, particularly concerning technology.

“Suppliers often guide you because they develop certain technologies, like sensor sets, for instance, which we don’t do. We have to implement them so we have to negotiate with suppliers how to design them. Very often we sit together with suppliers and do this development together with them.”

Mindt was in town for the SMMT Test Day to speak about the future design direction of Volkswagen, using the concept as a starting point. As CDN has reported previously, there will be a return to the fundamentals of the brand, as defined by Mindt as stability, likeability and secret sauce (formerly enthusiasm).

In terms of design, the team has referenced both the Beetle and, more notably, the Mark IV Golf in the concept’s wide track and narrow body. “It had such a strong, sober, clean design with wheel arches and not much else as a design element.”

Fans of buttons and tactile switchgear will be heartened to hear that the ‘stable’ theme means core functions will not be hidden in a screen. “There will be the six or seven main functions that will be controlled by physical buttons. One action with your finger is simpler that layers of HMI. That is the starting point. You will have the touchscreen as well, but personally I am a big fan of voice control – it has been enhanced and improved over the years and is very stable in every situation.”

Though Mindt is quick to point out the softer, friendly countenance of the concept, the light signature of the front face is almost smiling at you, the GTI version has just enough edginess to remain true to its hot-hatch lineage. The black mask, like a strip of polished obsidian, coupled with a splitter cut an aggressive dash as does the sculpted hood and more pronounced tumblehome than previously seen on the ID. 2all.

There are nods to the dimpled gear knob from the original GTI in the wheel design and the typeface of GTI badge is very similar to the one used first time around back in the 1970s. “GTI is a very strong brand in itself,” says Mindt. “It has great value.”

Of course, for now we are not looking at the real thing – production versions are not expected until next year. Mindt reckons the finished version will be very close to the concept: “The face will be even cleaner and more EV oriented than this one but everything else is going into production.”

What does this appreciation of the performance end of the VW portfolio mean for well-loved nameplates of a similar ilk, namely the Scirocco. Mindt is open to the idea. “It must be possible but first of all, we have to do homework.”