Just ahead of the IAA, VW unveiled its new naming strategy for electric cars. As expected, it will drop the combination of the ID. prefix and a number, as VW intends to return to the names of its “established bestsellers.” The first model to follow this approach will be the production version of the ID.2all Concept, which will launch not as the ID.2, but as the ID. Polo.
The shift had been hinted at for some time. With the upcoming small electric car, VW CEO Schäfer now seems confident that the condition is met and is adding the names of well-known combustion-engine models to the fully electric ID. family.
“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,” Schäfer said. “That’s why we’re moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.” The ID. prefix, Volkswagen added, “stands for advanced technologies and electric mobility.”
That has several implications. Firstly, it now seems inevitable that the ID.3 could become the ID. Golf, the ID.4 the ID. Tiguan, and the ID.7, the ID. Passat. Secondly, it means VW will have models with very similar names in the future, but which share little beyond name and size: the Polo and the ID. Polo are built on different platforms and even on other continents.
Not GTX but GTI
The days of the EV-specific GTX badge are also numbered: “We are bringing one of our strongest brands, the GTI, into the electric world,” said sales board member Martin Sander. “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.”
At the IAA, VW will not yet show production versions of the two models, only camouflaged, near-production studies. For the ID. Polo, VW uses colours inspired by the iconic Harlekin special edition Polo from the 1990s. Yet the visible elements closely resemble the 2023 ID.2all concept.
Production postponed, no further tech details yet
VW may have kept its word when it comes to design, it will probably not meet its schedule. It was announced that the production version of the small car would be launched at the end of 2025. However, there will be no world premiere of the ID. Polo showcased as a production model at the IAA, featuring only its name and a new concept car. VW is promising its world premiere in May 2026, with the market launch in the Autumn.
VW has also not released any new information about the technology behind the ID. Polo. The 2023 concept car was specified with 166 kW of power and a range of up to 450 kilometers according to WLTP. VW has made it clear that the 166 kW model will be the ID. Polo GTI.
The German carmaker has yet to reveal how powerful the ‘normal’ ID. Polo will be. VW only confirmed that the ID. Polo will always be a four-door model “with two different battery sizes and three, and later four, power levels” – and the base price of the entry-level model will be less than 25,000 euros.
The base model will probably have an LFP battery and a shorter range; the 450 kilometers are only possible with the larger and more expensive NMC battery.
ID. Cross Concept
More technical details may be available on Sunday, when VW plans to unveil the ID. Cross Concept study, the long-awaited small SUV based on the ID. Polo, a day before the IAA opens. “The production version of this concept vehicle, the ID. Cross, will be launched at the end of 2026 as the electric counterpart to the T-Cross,” VW already announced.
Crucial models
The launch of the electric small cars ID. Polo, ID. Cross, and later the production version of the €20,000 ID.EVERY1 (likely to be called ID. Up!) marks a crucial phase for VW.
Lower-priced models will make electric cars more accessible to a broader customer base, driving the long-awaited growth that Volkswagen has been expecting from its EV business for some time.
“All new models show clearly that Volkswagen is responding even more closely to customers’ feedback. This is evident, among other things, in the higher level of quality with soft materials, 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,” VW added.
Other brands within the Volkswagen Group will also have their own version of the ID. Polo. For Cupra it will be the Raval, for Skoda probably the Epiq, although the latter might be a Czech version of the ID. Cross.
Skoda has already announced that there will be no Skoda brother for the ID. Up!, the brand that prefers to have an attractive EV offer in larger categories.
