RE: VW confirms ID. Polo name, previews GTI
RE: VW confirms ID. Polo name, previews GTI
Wednesday 3rd September

VW confirms ID. Polo name, previews GTI

The ID. 2all concept to become electric Polo - and the fast one isn't far away


It was a couple of years ago now that VW revealed an ID. GTI concept at the IAA mobility show, hinting at a properly exciting future for its fast EVs. Or something rather more stimulating than the GTXs, at least. Now it’s been confirmed that both the GTI and the standard model, originally known as the ID.2all concept, will adopt a rather more familiar name for production next year: the ID. Polo is coming for 2026. 

It’s part of a move from VW to align its iconic combustion engined nomenclature with its electric future. If there’s one advantage that the legacy makers have over the interlopers, it’s decades of heritage - it would be daft to relinquish that. So expect ID. Golf to follow the Polo, perhaps Tiguan and Touareg as well. Those nameplates will continue with engines as the transition is made to battery powered ID. replacements. Let’s hope VW has learnt from Audi’s mishap when it comes to rolling out new badges… 

Thomas Schäfer, VW CEO, said: “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.”

So that’s the context. As for what we can expect from the cars, what you see here are the production specification ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, on sale next year - they’re just wrapped, as tends to happen these days. Perhaps inevitably, the production GTI has lost some of its pugnacious show car attitude, and picked up rather more ID. 3 influence than is ideal along the way, but the wheels are smart, the stance is fine, and this might be the first electric VW to look good with a front light bar. So let’s keep the faith for now - a GTI badge promises rather more than a GTX one, after all. Bring on that Alpine and Peugeot 208 triple test…


Author
Discussion

ChrisCh86

Original Poster:

1,053 posts

61 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Looks smart. Here's hoping they've got real buttons, a decent UI and have actually learned some lessons from the disastrous ID3.

If they get the pricing right, this could be a great car

Twinair

897 posts

159 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Gti - BEV…? Er… reaching there?

Bte (c) - is all you are allowed, you are welcome…!

nismo48

5,497 posts

224 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Looks like a great little car, wishing VW all the best with it.

s94wht

2,162 posts

76 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Great proportions on that. I'm quite a big fan of the Polo, this looks great.

Wardy78

1,507 posts

75 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
ChrisCh86 said:
Looks smart. Here's hoping they've got real buttons, a decent UI and have actually learned some lessons from the disastrous ID3.

If they get the pricing right, this could be a great car
Do the targets for this kind of car want physical buttons?

I know old farts like us want 'real' buttons, but do GenZ'ers?

ChrisCh86

Original Poster:

1,053 posts

61 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Wardy78 said:
Do the targets for this kind of car want physical buttons?

I know old farts like us want 'real' buttons, but do GenZ'ers?
Gen Z doesn't buy new cars, they get an Uber instead (if they live in a city), or they buy an old car. wink

Wardy78

1,507 posts

75 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
ChrisCh86 said:
Wardy78 said:
Do the targets for this kind of car want physical buttons?

I know old farts like us want 'real' buttons, but do GenZ'ers?
Gen Z doesn't buy new cars, they get an Uber instead (if they live in a city), or they buy an old car. wink
Plenty of early GenZ (now approaching 30) are leasing new cars more than buying old snotboxes.

MOBB

4,102 posts

144 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
"GTI" ??!!

It doesn't even have fuel injection FFS etc etc

Wardy78

1,507 posts

75 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
MOBB said:
"GTI" ??!!

It doesn't even have fuel injection FFS etc etc
How many Turbos does your Taycan have?

limpsfield

6,355 posts

270 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Wardy78 said:
MOBB said:
"GTI" ??!!

It doesn't even have fuel injection FFS etc etc
How many Turbos does your Taycan have?
Electric parrots are silent.

Wardy78

1,507 posts

75 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
limpsfield said:
Wardy78 said:
MOBB said:
"GTI" ??!!

It doesn't even have fuel injection FFS etc etc
How many Turbos does your Taycan have?
Electric parrots are silent.
But torquier?

Carl_VivaEspana

14,908 posts

279 months

Wednesday
quotequote all

At last, some good VW news to celebrate.

The GTI should be a cracker.

whp1983

1,267 posts

156 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Wardy78 said:
ChrisCh86 said:
Looks smart. Here's hoping they've got real buttons, a decent UI and have actually learned some lessons from the disastrous ID3.

If they get the pricing right, this could be a great car
Do the targets for this kind of car want physical buttons?

I know old farts like us want 'real' buttons, but do GenZ'ers?
Gen Z don’t drive….. they just sit on tik tok and cry…

Anyway looks great…. Like all the mini EVs (Renault 5 etc won’t be quite enough range to be only car but good commuter city job)

plfrench

3,758 posts

285 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
I wonder how soon they'll be available for delivery as my wife's Born goes back in Mar next year and this could be just the job... I think this looks smart and if it's available at that sort of pricing, will rival the Renault 5 for sales I suspect - possibly even eclipse if the interior space is as good as the prototype versions appeared to offer.


MattsCar

1,815 posts

122 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Am I missing something?

All these comments about it's great looks?....it looks like every single VW hatchback since the MK7 Golf, but in camo.

And good to drive? Might be, but it is electric and VW has a habit of making some very dull Polo GTI's and doing a hit, then miss, then hit, with the Golf.


Terminator X

18,031 posts

221 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Polo GTi, very good rofl

They should drop all the old names and just have new ones for fast EV. Same for Audi, electric RS3 anyone.

TX.

MOBB

4,102 posts

144 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Wardy78 said:
MOBB said:
"GTI" ??!!

It doesn't even have fuel injection FFS etc etc
How many Turbos does your Taycan have?
bowtie

wibble cb

3,959 posts

224 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Terminator X said:
Polo GTi, very good rofl

They should drop all the old names and just have new ones for fast EV. Same for Audi, electric RS3 anyone.

TX.
I suppose GTE was taken.

Aussie Peter

4 posts

53 months

Yesterday (05:44)
quotequote all
Yawn. Who cares. EV blah, blah, yawn, snore.

blearyeyedboy

6,671 posts

196 months

Yesterday (06:39)
quotequote all
It's notable how VW have held back the GTi name till now, with GTE and GTX models signalling they aren't good enough to be GTis. Here's hoping that VW using the name on a Polo means they think it'll be worthy of the badge.

But then, I'm the guy who predicted that the Honda CR-Z would be a great car when it's launched too. hehe

I'm optimistic but VW should better not balls it up or they'll lose what credibility remains.