New VW ID. Polo Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

European carmakers are waking up to the challenge from their Chinese competitors with a new generation of more affordable electric models, this new VW ID. Polo among them. Long story short, the new Polo is core to a new generation of smaller, accessible electric models built on VW tech to be shared across other brands in the family, including Cupra and Skoda, exactly as happened with the ID.3. With everything from cost-conscious, urban-focused models to a hot-hatch GTI version the new Polo is a small car with big ambitions.
• New ID. Polo reinvents the classic supermini for the electric age, with a new front-drive version of VW’s electric platform • Two battery options, comprising a smaller and more affordable option better for urban driving and a bigger, more powerful one for those travelling further • Three power outputs at the start, with a hot 226 horsepower GTI to follow • Base versions will do a little over 200 miles on a charge, the top model offering a little over 280 all by official figures • Smaller battery available with 116 horsepower or 135 horsepower, bigger battery with 211 horsepower • ID. Polo available to order in Germany as of now, with a starting price in its home market of 24,995 euros – more info on UK pricing and sales when we have it!

We mentioned the ID. Polo is a big deal for VW, right? This extends beyond the new electric platform underneath it, the styling also introducing a new ‘Pure Positive’ design philosophy clearly inspired by VW hatchbacks of the past but with a deliberately cute and friendly vibe. We’ll have to see if this translates when the UK range is confirmed but for the German market the line-up progresses through bare bones Trend with the focus on affordability, through Life with all the bits you probably want and up to Style with all the fancy trimmings like snazzy LED headlights and illuminated strips and logos. The eagerly awaited GTI version will follow later.

All models share the same combo of a 10-inch instrument screen and 13-inch central display but we’re pleased to see VW has responded to feedback about the ID.3’s fiddly touch-sensitive controls and there are still physical buttons for essentials like mirror adjustment and the rest. Phew. The system powering the screens gets progressively fancier as you work your way up the range, Life trim adding phone connectivity for CarPlay and Android Auto (we’d be surprised if this wasn’t on the base spec but will have to wait and see), adaptive cruise control and more. Style is more luxurious with big car creature comforts like heating for wheel and seats, ambient lighting and even the option of a massage function. On a Polo! Vehicle to load is standard for using your car as a driveway powerbank for e-bikes or hedge trimmers, options including a panoramic roof and banging Harmon Kardon stereo.

Not everyone needs big range in a small electric car, and we appreciate VW’s pragmatic approach of offering a cheaper, smaller battery in base models and a bigger one with more endurance for those who need it. For the number crunchers out there the 116 horsepower and 135 horsepower versions get the 37kWh battery good for a little over 200 miles, the 211 horsepower one with the 52kWh battery claiming 281 miles. This also has faster charging, so is much more suited to those doing longer journeys. On the flipside if your Polo is just for nipping about town the smaller battery will be just fine, and a lot cheaper to buy and run.

Watch this space for UK pricing and release but the German market starting price of 24,995 euros offers a sense, and pitches the ID. Polo into the thick of the competition against rivals from the Stellantis family of brands like the Fiat Grande Panda, Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Citroën ë-C3 and others like them. If VW can nail that sub-£25,000 starting price here it should also make the ID. Polo competitive against the increasingly ambitious and talented Chinese rivals.

The ID. Cross Concept puts a crossover twist on the same electric tech, this also rolling out across other brands within the wider family in the shape of the Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq. And that’s just for starters.

See above, but the ID. Polo is just the first of an entirely new family of cars coming from VW and its wider group of brands, increasing the choice of affordable electric cars for buyers contemplating the switch.