Volkswagen ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI debut as new naming era

Volkswagen adopts new naming strategy: ID. Polo set for 2026 launch, more electric models to follow

Volkswagen is reshaping its naming strategy by transferring well-known model names into its all-electric ID. family. Starting in 2026, the familiar Polo will become the ID. Polo, based on the ID. 2all concept. The decision coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Polo, highlighting how heritage and innovation can merge into a single direction for the future.

The approach is straightforward: traditional names will remain in place for both combustion and electric models. This dual structure is meant to simplify customer orientation and maintain brand continuity. Alongside the ID. Polo, a sportier variant will appear in 2026 — the ID. Polo GTI, bringing the GTI legacy into the electric era.

The first public appearance of these cars is scheduled for September 2025 at IAA MOBILITY in Munich, where Volkswagen will showcase the camouflaged ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI. A day earlier, the company will also present the ID. CROSS Concept, a compact SUV that is set to enter production at the end of 2026 as the electric counterpart to the T-Cross.

Executives emphasize that this strategy is not merely a branding move but a way to preserve the emotional connection customers have with names like Polo and GTI, long associated with reliability, accessibility, and personality.

Industry observers note that Volkswagen’s decision also reflects a practical response to competition in the affordable EV market, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. Reuters has highlighted that the company aims to keep the base price of the ID. Polo below €25,000, a threshold that could significantly broaden its appeal to mainstream buyers.

The European small EV market is expanding rapidly, with dozens of models already available and many more on the horizon. The arrival of the ID. Polo may strengthen Volkswagen’s position in this segment, although detailed specifications such as range, output, and charging times have not yet been released for the production version.

By linking its electric future to established names, Volkswagen is attempting to make the transition to e-mobility more natural and attractive. The ID. Polo and its siblings mark the beginning of a new era in which tradition meets innovation in a tangible way.