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Iconic Names Return: Volkswagen is reintroducing familiar model names for its electric ID. family, starting with the ID. Polo in 2026. This shift aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more relatable by leveraging the brand’s heritage. The strategy connects traditional names like Polo to new EV technology, helping customers navigate the brand’s evolving lineup with ease.
2 / 10Volkswagen ID. PoloPolo Debut: The ID. Polo, based on the ID.2all concept, will launch in 2026, marking the Polo’s 50th anniversary. It will debut in camouflaged form at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. The model combines the Polo’s reputation for quality and safety with advanced electric mobility, targeting affordability and intuitive design for compact car buyers. and ID. Polo GTI
3 / 10GTI Goes Electric: The high-performance ID. Polo GTI, derived from the ID. GTI Concept, will also enter production in 2026. It will debut alongside the ID. Polo at the Munich show. This marks the first time the iconic GTI badge will adorn an EV, promising dynamic performance and driving excitement.
4 / 10ID. Cross Unveil: Volkswagen will reveal the ID. CROSS Concept at IAA Mobility 2025 on September 7. This compact electric SUV previews the ID. Cross, an electric counterpart to the T-Cross, set for launch in late 2026. It aims to offer affordability and quality in the growing electric SUV market.
5 / 10Bridging Two Worlds: The naming strategy allows Volkswagen’s conventional vehicles to retain their original names while electric models adopt familiar badges. This parallel approach ensures clarity for customers. Future EVs, like successors to the ID.3 and ID.4, may carry names like ID. Golf and ID. Tiguan.
6 / 10Customer-Centric Focus: Volkswagen’s CEO, Thomas Schäfer, emphasised that names like Polo are deeply ingrained, symbolising quality and timeless design. The strategy moves these names into the electric era, making EVs feel familiar and accessible. The ID. Polo is the first step in this customer-focused approach.
7 / 10Enhanced Interiors: The new ID. models is expected to feature higher-quality interiors with soft materials and physical controls, like buttons and knobs, for intuitive operation. This responds to customer feedback, aiming to improve the user experience. The ID. Polo might include a 12.9-inch infotainment screen and a 10.9-inch driver display.
8 / 10Technical Specifications: The ID. Polo is likely to offer 38kWh and 56kWh battery options, with the larger providing a 280-mile range and 125kW charging. It is expected to feature four power levels, up to 223bhp in the ID. Polo GTI. At 4053mm long, it’s slightly larger than the current Polo, rivalling the Renault 4 EV.
9 / 10Strategic Shift: Volkswagen’s numeric ID. naming, started with the ID.3 in 2018, has been phased out due to customer confusion. The new strategy aligns EVs with familiar names, replacing models like ID.4 and ID.7 with ID. Tiguan and ID. Passat. This aims to clarify the brand’s electric and combustion portfolios.
10 / 10Broader EV Plans: The ID. Polo and ID. Cross are part of Volkswagen’s ‘Electric Urban Car Family,’ sharing the MEB Entry platform with the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval. These models target affordability, making electric driving accessible. The ID. Polo’s competitive pricing will challenge rivals like the Renault 5 and Mini Aceman.
