VW confirms ID. Polo name, previews GTI

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

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 3 September 2025 / Loading comments

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…