Volkswagen confirms its cheapest EV will drop the ID.2 name.
Volkswagen has confirmed its upcoming small electric hatchback will be called the ID. Polo, rather than the ID.2 name used so far during the model's development.
The Wolfsburg brand has also given us a first look at two camouflaged versions of the upcoming small electric hatchback, the ID. Polo and the hot ID. Polo GTI, which will be more powerful and apparently have some trick technology to make it fun to drive.
A big name change for electric Volkswagens
We'll talk more about the ID. Polo in just a second, but this move to the ID. Polo name marks the start of a shift of the entire VW electric car range to more familiar names – expect to see the ID. 3 become the ID. Golf, the ID. 4 become the ID. Tiguan and so on.
CEO of Volkswagen, Thomas Schäfer, said: "Our model names are firmly anchored in people's minds. That's why we're moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning." No more remembering your ID.3 from your 4 from your 7, then.
Volkswagen ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI specs and battery size
So far, we know that the ID. Polo will be a similar size to its petrol-powered brother – so it'll have five doors and measure 4.05m long.
It's confirmed to use either a 38kWh or 56kWh battery, with a 226hp motor on the faster GTI version. Expect to see a theoretical maximum driving range of about 260 miles for the bigger-battery car. The larger battery should be able to fast-charge at 125kW for a 10-80% charge time of around 20 minutes.
The ID. Polo GTI will get an electronically controlled locking differential on the front axle for tidy corner exits and to hunt out grip. It'll also get an illuminated red VW logo on the bootlid.
Volkswagen ID. Polo price and release date
Volkswagen has confirmed the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI will be releasing in 2026, and you'll also be able to get an SUV version called the ID. Cross (likely to be renamed the ID. T-Cross before release). And don't
As it stands, the ID. Polo will be Volkswagen's most affordable electric car, starting from around £22,000 for the version with the smallest battery. We expect the GTI version to set you back closer to £32,000.
