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First teased in September 2025 when Volkswagen released pictures of an ID Polo GTI prototype bedecked in camouflage, the reveal of the first electric car to wear the hallowed GTI badge has been confirmed for 15 May at the 2026 ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring race.

In the months since the ID Polo GTI’s arrival was announced, we’ve seen both the real-life car – at the Bicester Motion Scramble event on 18 April where it put in a surprise appearance – and even seen images of the final production model. The car at Bicester (pictured) was in the form of a near-final prototype, in camo, naturally, undergoing testing and final fettling on UK roads to make sure it can cope with this country’s unique road conditions.

223bhp and active differential
So, what do we know so far? Like higher-spec versions of the regular ID Polo unveiled a couple of weeks ago, the ID Polo GTI will get the largest 52kWh (net capacity) battery of the two available and will develop 223bhp from its front-mounted APP290 electric motor. Range will be around 260 miles from a single charge and to help make it a more engaging punt than the standard ID Polo, a trick active differential, that’s shared with the celebratory Golf GTI Edition 50.

Outside, a more extrovert rear spoiler and front and rear bumpers will help differentiate it from its less powerful siblings, along with 19in wheels that supposedly reference the steel rims – squint a bit and you can kind of see what VW is hinting at – seen on the original Golf GTI of 1976. Inside, we’re expecting a new take on the classic tartan seat trim, while the rest of the cabin should echo the ID Polo’s where it matters, possibly with upgraded trim, given the sportster’s higher price.

Having seen the car for real, even if it was in prototype form, at the recent Bicester event, we can confirm its stance is squat, it’s size still compact – but appearing larger than it looks – and its style understated, even in its very noticeable, almost lairy ‘GTI’-emblazoned camouflage. That all bodes well; so far so GTI.

Dynamic feel
The fact the newcomer has only 20bhp more than the recently departed combustion-engined Polo GTI can only mean that Volkswagen is aiming for a more dynamic feel than previous hot Polos have been endowed with. Indeed, UK magazine Autocar has tested the very car on show at Bicester, and all the signs are good. Describing it as ‘really absorbing and entertaining at its most forthcoming,’ the car appears to be a ‘proper’ GTI in both style and spirit.

We’ll know about the former in just under four days’ time; the other, we’ll have to wait bit longer for. But the ball is now well and truly rolling, and the countdown is on!

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At last! It’s been a long wait, but finally the production version of the all-electric ID Polo has been revealed. Volkswagen has been drip-feeding technical and other information for more than seven months, but today, we’re very excited to bring you all the details of the latest member of the Polo family.

Style and size
Of course, the ID Polo started in March 2023 with the unveiling of the ID 2all concept car, with which we made Polo comparisons at the time. The styling echoed Polos of the recent past, especially the MkIV – ironically, one of the least-good-looking Polo generations – and the final production car is a barely toned-down version of the concept. Which means it looks great.

Clean, simple lines are key to Volkswagen’s new ‘Pure Positive’ design language, which brings back more traditional VW design cues, details of which include a pronounced C-pillar. The front end is marked out by a ‘face’ similar to the new ID 3 Neo, a light bar connecting the two LED headlamps, punctuated by a fully lit VW badge on the range-topping Style trim level.

At the rear, a similar light bar, once again with an illuminated VW roundel at its centre on the Style variant, leave following drivers in no doubt what they are behind. A Polo MkIV-like silhouette with a gently tapering roofline finishes off the new classy but subtle look. We were instant fans of the concept, so are thrilled the ID Polo carries off the same appearance.

In difference to the original covered prototype drive press release dating from December 2025, there are now only six colours to choose from, Tornado Red having been dropped (or reserved solely for the ID Polo GTI), and Dolomit Silver renamed to Oyster Silver Metallic. The sole flat colour is Candy White, the other four – metallic – shades being Celestial Blue, Grenadil Black, Magnetic Grey, and Python Yellow. Wheel sizes begin at 17in – the entry level Trend riding on steel wheels with wheel trims – and rise through 18in to the 19in ‘Martorell’ alloy rims for the top Style trim, although it appears these are optional.

Compared to the current MQB-based internal combustion-engined Polo, passengers have an extra 19mm of interior length, while the boot can hold 441 litres of luggage. This is up by 25 per cent compared with the petrol-powered Polo’s 351 litres, and with the rear seats folded down, the load volume of the ID Polo increases 1,243 litres – over 100 litres more than the ICE Polo.

The front-mounted electric motor allows for more efficient packaging and helps allow the wheels to be pushed to the extremities of the car, giving the ID Polo an extra 48mm of wheelbase length over its combustion sibling. Overall, though, the ID Polo is comparable in size to the petrol Polo.

*37kWh battery **1.0 TSI 95, 7-speed DSG

Interior: physical buttons return
Just as the exterior of the ID Polo marks the return of ‘classic’ Volkswagen styling cues, the interior is just as important, and the big news is that physical buttons are back. And what’s more, the brand-new cabin style will feature on all Volkswagen ID models from this point forward.

Notable highlights include the return of high-quality materials and the introduction of more recycled content. Customer feedback has played a big part in this new shift. And it’s not before time; it’s well-documented how reviewers and some drivers of the first wave of ID-badged Volkswagens didn’t gel with the almost exclusively digital controls.

The most obvious place to notice this shift back towards ore physical interfaces starts with the steering wheel; it has a potential 22 buttons, none of them haptic. There is also a bank of toggle-like switches for air conditioning and other heating functions, sprouting from the centre of the dashboard, with a rotary wheel on the centre console to control infotainment media functions. Four electric window switches return in the door panels, too, replacing buttons that operated both the front and rear windows. It’s all very encouraging but shouldn’t really have been needed in the first place.

Of course, there are digital interfaces, too. A 10.25in display sits ahead of the driver, with a 13in ‘Innovision’ infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the car. Like the combustion-engined Polo, these are arranged along a single line of sight, with the whole cabin taking a horizontal-focused architecture approach. The ‘ID Light’ strip, an interactive feature of electric VWs also takes on a new detail, extending into the front door panels for the first time.

Other features include a fabric covering to the dashboard and door panels (hurrah!), and new pull-up lever-type door handles from the new second-generation T-Roc. Lots of knurled finishes to button edges are on display, too. A playful touch from the ID 2all concept has been carried over; a retro-themed setting that turns the driver’s display into a fun representation of an early Eighties Volkswagen. It’s a brilliant touch and serves no real purpose aside from being fun, but it’s nice that it’s been thought about.

Read our post on the full interior details of the ID Polo here.

Batteries and range
The ID Polo will be available with three power outputs: 113bhp (85kW), 132bhp (99kW), and 208bhp (155kW). The most powerful model of the all-electric Polo family, the 223bhp (166kW) ID Polo GTI will arrive later in the year, following its official unveiling on 15 May. Power for all ID Polos will come from the latest-generation APP290 motor.

Lower-powered 113bhp and 132bhp models have a 37kWh (net) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery – with no rare earth materials – the very first time this chemistry has been used on an electric VW. Both the 208bhp ID Polo and the 223bhp ID Polo GTI will have a 52kWh battery fitted, using more traditional nickel manganese cobalt chemistry.

Refilling the LFP battery can be carried out at DC rapid-charging points at up to 90kW of power, while the NMC unit can accept up to 130kW. The ultimate range of the 52kWh ID Polo is up to 283 miles, more than official distances offered by the larger battery versions of rivals such as the Fiat Grande Panda Electric (44kWh, 199 miles), Renault 5 E-Tech Electric (52kWh, 248 miles), and the Vauxhall Corsa Electric (51kWh, 266 miles). The smallest battery offers an official single-charge driving distance of up to 204 miles.

Platform and on-board technologies
Despite its ‘heritage’ nameplate – decided quite late on in the development of the car, and the first Volkswagen electric car to borrow a well-known VW name – the ID Polo is the first VW EV to use a front-wheel drive platform. Based on a variation of the now almost ubiquitous Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix, the new MEB+, drivetrain allows for the reduction of both components and weight. This translates to cost savings which is crucial for the ID Polo to reach its target price of €25,000.

The technology powering the ID Polo is the very latest in Volkswagen powertrain innovations, and next-generation assistance systems also make their way to the new car. The comprehensive Travel Assist system has both traffic light and stop sign recognition, assisted lane changes on motorways, as well as lateral and longitudinal guidance. Vehicle-to-Load functionality will also be available for the first time on a VW EV, which means you can charge devices from the car with up to 3.6kW of power, and, at last, a one-pedal driving option.

Read our post on the full technical details of the ID Polo here.

Trim levels
Exact trim levels, availability and pricing for the UK are still to be confirmed, but the German VW website lists three core variants that begin with Trend, and ascend through Life, and end with the Style. The Trend is the headline model that will sell with a starting price of €24,995, but as of the launch today, will come later in the year.

Standard equipment includes 90kW DC quick-charging, LED headlights, 10in Digital Cockpit display, 13in ‘Innovision’ infotainment system, a multifunction steering wheel and automatic air conditioning. One of the first reports that we’ve watched from the world premiere launch – at the ‘True Volkswagen’ media showcase event in Hamburg in early April – states that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity does not come as standard on the Trend, but it’s not official. It’s potentially an oversight, given that part of the target audience for this car is young people.

Move up to Life and adaptive cruise control comes as standard, along with a rear-view camera, front safety systems, electrically folding door mirrors, and an automatically dipping anti-dazzle interior mirror. There is also voice control, App Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and inductive smartphone charging. The boot floor can also be set at two different heights, unlike that of the Trend, which only has the one setting. The Life is listed at €33,975.

Finally, the €36,995 Style gets IQ Light LED matrix headlights as standard, illuminated badges and light bars front and rear, and 3D tail light clusters (apparently inspired by whiskey tumblers). Inside, you’ll find sport comfort seats, ambient lighting, seat and steering wheel heating, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and plusher materials.

Two further ‘Launch-Edition’ trims available on the Volkswagen Germany website offer special equipment packages: the ID Polo Launch-Edition Life is priced at €36,040; the ID Polo Launch-Edition Style costs from €41,945.

Optional equipment includes a 425-watt sound system from Harman Kardon with ten speakers and a subwoofer. There is also a large panoramic glass roof – that sadly doesn’t open – and a pneumatic massage function for the 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, the driver’s featuring a memory function.

Availability and on-sale date
The ID Polo order books have already opened in Germany and other European countries, with the first cars expected to arrive in the autumn. We’re still waiting for Volkswagen to confirm UK prices and availability, but if this exciting newcomer can come in at the same €24,995 (around £21,650 at the time of writing), then it would be quite an achievement. And potentially present the ID Polo as a very important player in the electric small car market and one that could have a sizable impact.

With this car, Volkswagen appears to be on form once again. It’s been a very long time coming, but it’s a return we’re very excited about. We can’t wait to experience the car in real-life.

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Ever since the all-electric ID Polo’s 2026 arrival was announced back in September, we’ve had confirmation of its technical make-up, undisguised images of the interior, but no official photos of the car without its Polo Harlequin-inspired livery that has shrouded the fleet of pre-production prototypes used for dynamic testing and various motor show appearances.

However, that’s set to change on 29 April at midday (Central European Time), when the full production car’s appearance is finally unwrapped. Just this week, Volkswagen has begun to tease images of the latest member of the Polo family sans camouflage.

What we do know already, is that in Europe at least, trim levels will start with the 37kWh Trend model, and rise through Life, topping out with Style (both with 37 and 52kWh battery choices). According to the Volkswagen France website, the bigger battery cars look set to arrive first, from September 2026; the smaller-capacity models from November.

Priced from €24,990
As per Volkswagen’s aim, the entry level ID Polo Trend will be priced from €24,990, even though initial reports suggested that the cheaper models wouldn’t be available initially due to shortages of materials for the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The sportier ID Polo GTI is confirmed to arrive in March 2027, if the configurator on the Volkswagen France website is correct.

Speaking of batteries, production of the battery systems is already up and running at the SEAT and Cupra factory in Martorell, Spain, where the ID Polo and its Cupra Raval cousin will be manufactured. There is precedent for Spanish-built Polos of course – the combustion-engined Polo was built at the Volkswagen Navarra facility at Pamplona for 40 years.

Following the December prototype drive of ‘covered’, lightly camouflaged models, more overtly stripped cars have been seen undergoing winter testing in colder climes, and also pounding the Nürburgring, to hone the dynamics of the GTI model, which is the first all-electric Volkswagen GTI. The timing of the newcomer’s arrival is no coincidence: the GTI nameplate celebrates its 50th birthday in 2026.

As for the looks, images of the undisguised production car seemingly leaked from the recent ‘True Volkswagen’ event, held in Hamburg at the end of March. On 26 March, websites were awash with the same three images depicting two mid or high-spec ID Polos, and a sole ID Polo GTI.

Seven colours, three wheel sizes
Confirmation came that at least three colours as listed in the covered drive workshop press release of December 2025 were correct: Python Yellow, Tornado Red, and Dolomit Silver. The other available shades being Candy White, Grenadil Black, Magnetic Tech (which looks like a very dark blue) and Celestial Blue.

The ID Polos in the leaked images also wore two different sizes of wheels, and we do know that 17, 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels will be available, presumably growing in size as the trim levels ascend. Overall, the images reveal that the production ID Polo will closely resemble the ID 2all concept car initially shown in 2023.

ID 3 Neo previews ID Polo ‘face’
This is further reinforced when you compare the leaked pictures with the official pictures of the recently unveiled ID 3 Neo. The larger car definitely previews the ‘face’ of the new ID Polo, and seems to share its interior style, too, with a fabric-covered dashboard and the return of physical buttons. This latest refresh is the second update for the ID 3 in just six years, and it’s interesting to note that VW management has admitted that it made mistakes with the launch of the original model in 2020.

And before it has even been launched, the ID Polo is winning awards, the recipient of the ‘One to Watch’ prize from News UK. ‘The mere fact the Polo name lives on into the electric era is enough to get excited about,’ said Will Dron, digital driving editor at The Times and Sunday Times. ‘But there’s more to look forward to than that: a choice of batteries offering up to 280 miles of range, the potential for very attractive pricing, and the use of more sustainable materials and construction processes have certainly whetted our appetites. The confirmation that we’ll also get an ID Polo GTI is the icing on the cake. Without doubt, ID Polo is our One to Watch.’

We’d, quite obviously, agree. With just five days until the final production version of the ID Polo is revealed, it’s an exciting time to be a Polo fan, and we’ll bring you full details of this new chapter in the Polo story when they are released. Stay tuned!

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After a 28-year run, production of the Polo GTI has been brought to a halt. The model has been discontinued to give way to the all-electric ID Polo GTI, which is set to debut later in 2026.

Rumours began to surface in November, with website speedme.ru stating the hot Polo was beginning to disappear from global Volkswagen website configurators. We can confirm this is the case, and the Volkswagen UK website configurator only lists used models for sale. We asked Volkswagen UK directly if the car had been discontinued, and a spokesperson told us, ‘As we celebrate 50 years of the iconic GTI badge, the Polo GTI is making way for our first ever all-electric GTI model, the ID Polo GTI. The ID Polo GTI is set to make its world premiere later this year, with UK sales commencing in 2026.

‘Thrilling future’
The spokesperson continued, ‘This new model promises to move the hot hatchback game on significantly in terms of design, excitement, and performance, ensuring a thrilling future for GTI enthusiasts. The current Polo GTI is still available through our UK Retailer network, while stocks last. We encourage interested customers to reach out to their nearest Volkswagen Retailer for more information.’

Even though the ID Polo GTI will arrive in showrooms after a debut later this year, we can only assume that the discontinuation of the petrol-powered Polo GTI is to give its new zero-emissions counterpart some breathing space ahead of its arrival. The first electric Volkswagen GTI will have 223bhp from its front-mounted motor, with a driving range, we would imagine, of around 250 miles. Volkswagen states that the less powerful 208bhp ID Polo with the same motor and 52kWh battery as the ID Polo GTI has an official range of up to 280 miles.

There’s also no escaping the fact that basing an iconic badge’s new chapter on a less important model – the Golf GTI has been the halo GTI model for the past 50 years and remains so – is less risky for Volkswagen, too. But whatever the motivation, the ID Polo GTI has a great deal resting on its ‘Pure Positive’-designed and shapely shoulders.

Final cars
speedme.ru reports the final combustion-engined Polo GTIs are now being built at Volkswagen Group South Africa’s Kariega plant – the only factory to produce Polos destined for European and Asia-Pacific markets. According to the website, final cars will roll off the line in week 12, 16-22 March 2026, presumably the fulfilment of the last order allocations.

It brings to an end the availability of the second-longest Volkswagen model to wear the GTI badge after the Golf. In 2026, both that car and the badge itself celebrate 50 years since either first appeared, with the special edition Golf GTI Edition 50 marking the golden anniversary.

Polo GTI Edition 20
The hot petrol-powered Polo’s exit after 28 years will be marked by a special edition, in South Africa, at least. Volkswagen Group Africa began production of the Polo GTI in 2006, and so is releasing the Polo GTI Edition 20. In the same vein as the Polo GTI Edition 25 released in 2023 to celebrate 25 years of the Polo GTI globally, the GTI Edition 20 is largely a cosmetic revamp. The most noticeable feature is the Crystal Ice Blue exterior colour choice, the same shade as offered on the regular Polo Edition 50 special model, first introduced in 2025 to commemorate the Polo’s 50th anniversary.

In addition, the Polo GTI Edition 20 gets a black contrast roof and wing mirror caps, a special ‘20’ decal stripe on each side of the car, all of those almost identical in idea to the Polo GTI Edition 25. A set of 18-inch ‘Faro’ alloy wheels – previously a cost-option upgrade – are also thrown in. Set to be introduced in March 2026, the price of the last Polo GTI special edition hasn’t yet been announced.

It’s perhaps a whimper rather than a bang – which some would cruelly say sums up the Polo GTI’s life – but it’s nice to see the second-longest running combustion-engined GTI model go out with at least a little sense of occasion. Yes, it’s with a tear in our eye that we wave the regular Polo GTI into the sunset, but we’re also looking forward to the new chapter in the hot Polo’s story the ID Polo GTI will begin. We hope the promise is delivered upon; we shouldn’t have too long to wait.

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Following the first covered prototype drives and technical detail reveal of the new ID Polo in Barcelona during December 2025, Volkswagen has now released images and videos of the production car’s interior. And… there’s not just one but many reasons to be cheerful; proper, click-clack, physical buttons are back!

However, it’s more than just the interior of a new car; the cabin of the ID Polo holds importance as a precursor to the brand-new style of cabin that will feature on all Volkswagen ID models from this point forward. Highlights include the return of high quality materials and the introduction of more widespread recycled content. The company says customer feedback has played a big part in this new shift. And it’s not before time; it’s well-documented how reviewers and some drivers of the first wave of ID-badged Volkswagens didn’t gel with the almost exclusively digital controls. The fingertip sliders – often not backlit at night – noted as the biggest offenders.

‘Intuitive operation’
That’s all set to change, though. A renewed focus on ‘intuitive operation’ leads the way with the ID Polo. Just as the exterior of the car, due to be revealed in the coming weeks, is said to be more ‘classic Volkswagen’, the interior of the ID Polo will, it’s said, reflect ‘familiar VW thinking’. The first evidence of this is the steering wheel – its shape may be an unfamiliar squared-off circle, but there are spaces for a potential 22 (!) buttons, none of them haptic.

Not only that, a bank of toggle-like switches for air conditioning and other heating functions sprout shelf-like from the centre of the dashboard, with a rotary wheel on the centre console to control infotainment media functions. Not only that, a quartet of door panel-mounted electric window switches returns, ousting the pair of buttons that had to operate both the front and rear windows by way of a fiddly separate touch interface. Common sense prevails!

Pair of digital screens
In common with other current all-electric ID and combustion-engined Volkswagens, the ID Polo receives a pair of digital screens, a 10.25-inch driver’s display, and a 13-inch high resolution infotainment touchscreen. Like the combustion-engined Polo, these are arranged along a single line of sight, with the whole cabin taking a horizontal-focused architecture approach. The ‘ID Light’ strip, an interactive feature of electric VWs until now also takes on a new detail, extending into the front door panels for the first time.

One thing the ID Polo doesn’t share with its siblings is its uplift in material quality, another past Volkswagen trait, which has, at times, been diluted in recent years. Fabric covers the ID Polo’s floating shelf-like dashboard, with a dividing ledge made from recycled material, notable from its marbled or textured appearance. Fabric returns to the door panels, too, a very much-missed element missing from the current combustion-engined Polo. There are new pull-up lever-type door handles from the just-released second-generation T-Roc, and lots of knurled finishes to button edges.

Retro-themed displays
A playful touch from the ID 2all concept on which the ID Polo is based, has been carried over; a retro-themed setting that turns the driver’s display into a representation of an early Eighties Volkswagen. (The Golf is most often officially mentioned when referring to this, but the facelifted MkI Polo shared the layout, too.) It’s a brilliant touch we’re here for, along with the matching infotainment display that shows a ‘paper’ map for the navigation function, and a choice of a period ‘cassette player’ – with moving spools! – or a radio tuner. They serve no real purpose aside from being fun, but it’s nice that they’re there.

The ID Polo will also debut a new software generation that will, Volkswagen says, deliver more comfort and functions. This includes the third generation of the Travel Assist suite of driving assistance systems, which will recognise red traffic lights and stop signs. One pedal-driving, is set to feature, too, an oversight that has been missing from ID models up until now.

A big step forward
Encouragingly, the first reviews, such as this video from review channel Autogefühl, are positive. We think it appears to be a big step forward, especially from a practical and quality point of view. The use of more natural and fabric materials in particular gives it an elegant and upmarket look, especially in the lighter trim option, as seen in the images and videos Volkswagen has released so far. (A dark option will also be available.)

The combination of the new interior style, the simpler exterior design, and the €25,000 starting price all points to backing up the ID Polo as one of the most significant Volkswagens of the past few years and possibly since the company’s transition to electrification began in 2019 with the launch of the original ID 3. With the camouflage set to be stripped from the exterior very soon, we’ll have the full picture of what must surely be one of the hotly anticipated new cars of 2026.

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