Volkswagen has detailed its first electric Polo ahead of its European debut in 2026.
The Volkswagen ID. polowhich has yet to be confirmed for Australia, will be offered with different power levels and batteries.
All ID. Polos are based on the MEB+ platform, intended for smaller, more efficient and cheaper vehicles, and feature a single-engine, front-wheel drive configuration.
A 37 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery is offered with 85 kW or 99 kW electric motors, supporting DC fast charging up to 90 kW.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
A larger 52kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery will be offered with a 155kW electric motor, with the flagship GTI set to use this battery and a 166kW electric motor. This larger battery has a maximum DC charging power of 130 kW and a range of up to 450 km on the WLTP cycle.
This is how the ID works. Polo compares in size to the existing Polo:
| ID. polo | polo | |
|---|---|---|
| length | 4053mm | 4080mm |
| Width | 1816mm | 1751mm |
| Height | 1530mm | 1450mm |
| wheelbase | 2600mm | 2564mm |
| Trunk (with seats) | 435L | 351L |
| Trunk (rear seats folded down) | 1243L | 1125L |
Volkswagen points out that the ID’s interior width and headroom are larger. Polo.
By using the MEB+ architecture, the ID. Polo will be equipped with next-generation active safety and driver assistance technology.
It is offered with a “significantly improved” travel assistant that enables lane changing on the highway as well as the recognition of traffic lights and stop signs.
ID. Prices for the Polo start at €25,000 (~A$44,000) in Europe, so around €25,000 €5,000 (~A$8,800) more than the cheapest petrol Polo.
Preview of ID 2023. 2all and ID. GTI concepts and the introduction of the German car brand’s new Pure Positive design language, the ID. Polo represents a departure from unfamiliar alphanumeric ID nameplates and blobby designs.
Development of the ID. The Polo was led by Seat and Cupra and is built by the Spanish brands in Martorell, Spain, although it was designed at the Volkswagen Design Center in Wolfsburg.
It is one of six new electric models from Volkswagen that will be released in 2026.
The Polo nameplate has been used continuously by Volkswagen for just over 50 years now.
Parallel to the new ID. An updated version of the existing Polo with a combustion engine will be sold. Polo, made possible by diluting the upcoming European emissions standards.
“There will be an update for the combustion engine Polo. We can build cars with combustion engines for as long as it is necessary, there is no limit. The existing (MQB-A0) platform is more than capable of this,” said Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Martin Sander Auto Express.
The MQB-A0 platform, also used by models such as the Skoda Fabia and Kamiq and the Volkswagen T-Cross, is a simplified version of the Golf’s MQB chassis with simpler rear suspension that is cheaper to manufacture.
Mr Sander said it would be “a big task” and “expensive” to update the Polo to incorporate improved active safety and driver assistance technology as well as mild-hybrid and hybrid powertrains, as well as higher quality materials and fresh design inside and out, but “we have to do it”.
“To be competitive in Europe, we have to serve all of Europe. Norway is 100 percent electric, but the south is completely different,” explained Mr. Sander.
“And we must continue to offer our customers the type of car they want to buy, regardless of their region or preferences.”
MORE: Discover the Volkswagen Polo showroom
