A big, big development here - we've known for some while that the next generation of Volkswagen ID electric vehicles (EVs) are on the way, with plenty of previews of the smaller ID. 2all and its high-performance 'GTI' offspring already in the bag. But the assumption was that the ID. 2all, a Polo-sized supermini with electric power, would simply become the ID.2 when it hit the market, fitting it in with existing ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7 models.
However, the company's CEO, Thomas Schäfer, has previously hinted that the company's heavy-hitting legacy nameplates, like Polo, Golf and Passat, would likely make the transition to fully electric power. And here's the proof: Volkswagen has now confirmed that the ID. 2all will become the ID. Polo when it goes on sale in Ireland next year, while its high-performance derivative will not be called a 'GTX' like the current hot EVs from Volkswagen, but will gain the legendary 'GTI' badge instead.
This is a major development! So what's the rationale behind it?
Quite simply, consumer recognition. Schäfer said of the move: “Our model names are firmly anchored in people's minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody characteristics such as quality, timeless design and technologies for all. That's why we're moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.”
This, of course, almost certainly means that the ID.3's replacement will become the ID. Golf, while the ID.7 will likely morph into the ID. Passat at some point in the future. We could then see the T-named SUVs, such as the Tiguan, Touareg, Tayron, T-Roc and T-Cross, all take over from the ID.4 and ID.5. Although the ID. Buzz should make it through all this unscathed.
Are there any other details of the ID. Polo?
A lot of what we knew about the artist formerly known as the ID. 2all carries over. The ID. Polo will be based on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB+) platform, although the two variants shown here are still in heavy camouflage and they will remain so when they appear at the IAA motor show in Munich next week. The covers will come off in May 2026 before the finished car goes on sale in autumn next year.
Thus, the ID. Polo is in the final phases of testing. The camo attempts to hide the look of the new Volkswagen EV, but the latest 'Pure Positive' design language underneath is evident even so. At 4,053mm long, the ID. Polo is identical in that dimension to the current Polo on sale today, but the forthcoming electric car is wider (1,816mm), taller (1,530mm) and possessed of a stretched wheelbase too (2,600mm).
Volkswagen says it will always be a five-door car, while two battery sizes, three trim levels (market depending) and - ultimately - four powertrains will be offered for it. All versions will be front-wheel drive, ergo single-motor EVs.
The base-spec, base-battery and base-power ID. Polo is still targeted to be coming in at less than €25,000 in some European markets, making it a value-based proposition to take on the mighty Renault 5 E-Tech which currently dominates this EV segment.
And while it will initially come with three power options, the fourth joining soon after the initial 2026 launch wave is the flagship ID. Polo GTI. Volkswagen has confirmed that this will have a 166kW electric motor, meaning a peak power output of 226hp - some way in advance of the 200hp the current 2.0-litre turbocharged Polo GTI produces.
Does this mean the death of the petrol-powered Polo?
Interestingly, no; not at first, at any rate. Volkswagen has confirmed it will sell the ID. Polo alongside the pre-existing Mk6 Polo with petrol engines, allowing its customers to continue to have the choice between electric power and combustion engines in the supermini arena.
Mind you, the Mk6 Polo launched back in 2017 so it's already eight years old at the time of writing, which'll mean the ID. Polo will feel far more advanced when people sit in it in Volkswagen's showrooms.
But the Polo name continues to endure, hence why Volkswagen used it for the new ID. In 2024, more than 472,000 Polos found homes worldwide, while 2025 marks the car's 50th birthday, too. And in that time, in excess of 20 million Polos have been built, so it's good to see this legacy carrying on into an all-electric future.
What's next for Volkswagen?
Well, as already said, from September 8, the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI will be on display at the IAA in Munich. However, the day before, Volkswagen will unveil the ID. Cross Concept, an electric compact SUV, in a world-premiere event - and the company has confirmed that the production version will be launched at the end of 2026 as an electric counterpart to the T-Cross. So ID. T-Cross, anyone...?
Volkswagen also says it has been listening to customer feedback and that its new models, the ID. Polo included, demonstrate this with higher-quality soft materials inside, plus the “intelligent combination of digital and physical controls such as buttons and knobs in the steering wheel and cockpit, as well as the intuitive operating concept”.
This appears to be a direct response to the original ID vehicles' somewhat lacklustre interface system, which relied too heavily on the touchscreen and featured weird corner-cutting exercises, such as only two window switches in the front to control all four windows, along with temperature control sliders that inexplicably weren't backlit at night.
Anything else to add?
We'll leave the final word to Martin Sander, the member of the Volkswagen brand board of management for sales, marketing and aftersales, who emphasises the sentimental reasoning for transitioning historic car nameplates onto all-new EVs: “Our cars often accompany people for many years - they shape memories and stages of life. A model like the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be: it stands for reliability, personality and history.
“That's precisely why we are again giving our ID. models names that arouse emotions and are anchored in people's everyday lives. Electric mobility should not only be progressive, but also accessible and personal.
“We are bringing one of our strongest brands, the GTI, into the electric world. Also launching in 2026, the ID. GTI Concept model will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI. It will offer outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure.”