It’s no secret that Volkswagen literally means ‘the people’s car.’ It’s the world’s second-largest automaker, mainly because it owns a good chunk of all the European brands out there. That said, the company has been struggling in the EV market, and the company needs a course correction as soon as possible.
The ID.3 and ID.6 have stayed glued to showroom floors since they were introduced a couple of years ago. At least there’s some signs of recovery thanks to the ID.Buzz’s retro appeal. But a funky battery-powered van inspired by the past can’t do the job alone. This is where the upcoming Volkswagen ID.Polo steps in.
The ID.Polo has been revealed in ‘near-production’ guise recently. In other words, you’re looking at the car that will soon be available to customers if you take out the camouflage wrap. Initially called the ID.2all, we say it’s a wise move as the Polo is a name with strong equity, especially in Europe.
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Volkswagen says the ID.Polo will be fully revealed by May 2026, and you can bet that it’s essentially the car you see now sans the colorful wrap. The company adds that it’s now in its final phase of production testing and it will be available to European customers in the latter half of 2026. Not too long of a wait, then.
Another thing of note is its design language. Volkswagen calls it the Pure Positive philosophy, and it appears that the company’s days of making experimental-looking models for production are over. With the start of the ID.Polo, Volkswagen’s EVs will look like, well, Volkswagens.
The ID.Polo rides on the new MEB+ platform that’s specifically made for electric powertrains. The small hatch is the first recipient of it, but expect it to be used on cars like the future battery-powered versions of the Golf and Tiguan should Volkswagen decide to build those.
As for powertrains, there are no specifics just yet. However, Volkswagen says there will be two battery sizes to be offered with three power outputs. At the same time, the company also said that there will be an ID.Polo GTI with 223hp.
For the first-ever electric GTI model, Volkswagen gave a few more hints. This version of the ID.Polo will be fully revealed shortly after the standard and more pedestrian variants. In the spirit of the original GTI models from the past, this model will also be front-wheel drive only.
Not to worry, though, as the hot ID.Polo will come equipped with a limited-slip differential to make it sharp around the bends…at least in theory. Lastly, expect unique styling touches on the exterior just like the gas-fed Polo GTI, along with tartan seats inside.
Well, if it’s going to have a GTI badge, it better come with those.
