Volkswagen says its new ID. Polo was closing in on a world premiere, with almost production-ready prototypes now running their final test kilometres across multiple regions as engineers chased “perfection in detail” and dialled in the car’s driving manners.
Volkswagen AG Brand Group Core CEO Thomas Schäfer said the ID. Polo marked “the beginning of a new generation” for the brand and would start at €25,000 in Europe. “And this is just the beginning: In 2026, we will launch six new electric models – all 100 per cent Volkswagen!” he said.
The ID. Polo is positioned as a return to familiar Polo priorities, Volkswagen said, with a focus on straightforward operation, everyday usability and affordability, but wrapped in the first production application of Andreas Mindt’s “Pure Positive” design language.
At launch in spring 2026, the car is due with three outputs: 85kW, 99kW and 155kW. A hotter ID. Polo GTI, rated at 166kW, is scheduled to follow later in the year.
Volkswagen said the 85kW and 99kW variants would use a 37kWh (net) LFP battery, with DC rapid charging up to 90kW. The 155kW and 166kW versions would switch to a 52kWh (net) NMC battery based on the PowerCo unified cell, enabling up to 450km of range and DC charging up to 130kW.
The ID. Polo adopted a newly developed front-wheel drive system on the MEB+ platform, using Volkswagen’s latest APP 290 motor, while the cell-to-pack battery layout was intended to cut weight and cost and lift energy density by about 10 per cent, Volkswagen said.
Dimensionally, it measured 4,053mm long on a 2,600mm wheelbase, and Volkswagen claimed a bigger boot at 435 litres, rising to 1,243 litres with the rear seats folded. Production was set for SEAT & CUPRA’s Martorell plant in Spain.
