Images of the Volkswagen ID. Polo electric hatch, including the flagship GTI, have been posted online, revealing the vehicle in full ahead of its official unveiling in Europe later this year.
While it has been spied testing, this is the first sighting of the exterior of the showroom version of the ID. Polo, which is yet to be confirmed for Australian showrooms, after the automaker revealed the interior earlier this year.
Images posted on Instagram by Wilco Blok, which have subsequently been removed but widely shared on the internet, show three model grades of the electric hatch, which will be sold alongside an updated internal combustion-engined Polo.
While the technical development of the car was led by Volkswagen Group’s Spanish brands – Seat (not sold here) and Cupra – it was designed by the Volkswagen brand in Wolfsburg, Germany.
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The images show the final version features design elements from the ID.2 All concept shown in 2023, and the ID. GTI concept revealed in 2023.
The yellow vehicle appears to be the base model grade, featuring simple exterior styling including a contrasting horizontal bar across the nose, with black mirror caps and window surrounds.
It rides on smaller alloy wheels than the up-spec gunmetal grey ID. Polo also leaked, which stops short of the striking red ID. Polo GTI.
The sporty flagship features a GTI-branded version of the horizontal bar beneath its lights and grille, as well as a unique front bumper with honeycomb inserts.
The flagship GTI also appears to be the only one of the three with an illuminated light bar across its front.
The ID. Polo – which reflects Volkswagen’s plan to use its iconic nameplates instead of new names for its EVs going forward – will use the MEB+ platform and will feature a range of single-motor front-wheel drive powertrains.
Volkswagen has confirmed European models will start with a 37kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, with a choice of 85kW or 99kW motors.
A more powerful 155kW motor will be offered with a 52kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery pack, with a claimed range of 450km (WLTP) and 130kW DC fast charging.
The ID. Polo GTI will pair the same battery with a 166kW motor.
The new platform will also enable next-generation active safety and driver assistance technology, with pricing in Europe announced at €25,000 (~A$41,500), around €5000 (~A$8300) more than the most affordable petrol Polo.
Pricing for the current petrol Polo in Australia starts at $30,990 before on-road costs for the Polo 85TSI Life, with the range-topping Polo GTI priced at $41,990 before on-road costs. This pricing could change when the free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Australia comes into effect.