Volkswagen has uncovered the interior of its upcoming ID. Polo electric supermini, giving a preview into the new-look design for all future ID. electric models. The new shots
Volkswagen has uncovered the interior of its upcoming ID. Polo electric supermini, giving a preview into the new-look design for all future ID. electric models.
The new shots of the near-production concept, revealed ahead of the ID. Polo’s launch later this year, show a complete rethink on the interior and cockpit architecture for the Renault 5 rival, which will carry over to the rest of the brand’s EV line-up.
Volkswagen has already confirmed that the ID. Polo will initially be available with three power outputs (116hp, 135hp, 211hp), two battery sizes and a range of up to 280 miles (450km) between charges. The sporty ID. Polo GTI with 226hp will follow later in the year. The two lower-powered models will come as standard with a 37kWh (net) LFP battery that can recharge at DC rapid-charging points at up to 90kW. The sportier versions will be powered by a 52kWh NMC battery, enabling longer ranges.
The new model, which arrives just over 50 years since the original Polo debuted, also marks a new naming strategy where VW’s upcoming ID. electric vehicles will use established, well-known designations from its combustion engine line-up.
Latest images showcase a cabin design that now focuses around a new “holistic” approach delivering physical buttons and newly structured screens, responding to customer feedback about the controversial ‘slider’ controls for the volume and heating in the ID. 2all concept. The pair of large displays will include the 10.25-inch digital cockpit behind the steering wheel and the near 13-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The brand’s first ID. Polo will also get a completely new multi-function steering wheel with clear button controls and displays with clear information and tidy menu structures, while also adopting familiar VW operating patterns.
These will carry over to forthcoming ID. models along with the new ‘Pure Positive’ design language, which focuses on high-quality materials with recycled content. The incoming electric supermini also showcases the latest development of the ID.Light interactive and intuitive light strip, which now extends beyond the width of the instrument panel into the front doors for the first time.
New software also makes its debut in the ID. Polo, delivering features such as one-pedal-driving, advanced parking assistants and the option of a new generation of Travel Assist, which will soon recognise red traffic lights and stop signs.
The ID. Polo will also seek to bring the “charm of the 1980s” with a retro display that sees the digital instruments transform into screen views reminiscent of the first Golf at the touch of a button.
Volkswagen chief designer Andreas Mindt said: “We have created an interior that feels like a friend from the very first contact. Clear physical buttons provide stability and trust, warm materials make it appealing, and charming details such as the new retro views of the instruments show the typical Volkswagen wink. All this makes the ID. Polo a compact car with a big heart – ‘Pure Positive’ in its purest form.”
Pricing for the ID. Polo hasn’t been confirmed yet but the newcomer is expected to cost around £22,000, bringing a new, affordable EV entrant.
Mindt said: “The all-new ID. Polo is an affordable friend for everyday life. Just as the Polo always was, but now electric.”
Other details confirmed for the ID. Polo include newly developed front-wheel drive, based on the brand’s enhanced MEB+ architecture and said to offer efficiency advantages. VW has said that thanks to its front-wheel drive concept, the ID. Polo offers ample space for five people and up to 435 litres of luggage. The brand also claims “confident” driving characteristics that mean the ID. Polo delivers a “highly precise driving experience on a par with the next higher class of vehicle”.
