Volkswagen can’t keep a secret - meet the new ID. Polo and GTI

Someone at Volkswagen might need to check the locks on their digital filing cabinets. March has been a very busy month when it comes to spoiled surprises. First, the Rivian R2 slipped out into the public eye early. Then, BMW had trouble keeping the new i3 under wraps. Now, the German giant Volkswagen is the latest victim of the internet’s inability to wait. Photos of the new ID. Polo and its faster sibling, the ID. Polo GTI, have appeared online well before their planned spring debut.

These images originally popped up on Instagram. Even though someone deleted them quickly, the internet acts like a giant sponge that never forgets. These new electric cars are a big deal for Volkswagen. They represent a shift toward making EVs that regular people can actually afford. We got used to the idea of electric cars being quite expensive, but the ID. Polo promises to change that. It is the electric successor to the famous Polo hatchback that has been a favorite in cities all over the world for decades.

If the ID. Polo looks familiar, that is because Volkswagen has been showing off a concept car called the ID.2all. The new production version looks like a calmer, more realistic version of that concept. The designers swapped the futuristic, tiny cameras for regular door mirrors that you can actually use. The headlights and the grille look more like a traditional car, which will please many buyers. It is a clean design that looks ready for the driveway.

The ID. Polo GTI is the one that will get driving fans excited. It keeps the basic shape of the standard model but adds some spice. You will notice a sportier front bumper with a honeycomb mesh pattern. There is also a bright red stripe and the famous “GTI” badge sitting right under the grille. This version gets extra vertical daytime running lights that make it look wider and meaner.

The new electric Polo is built for tight city streets but offers plenty of room inside. It measures 159.6 inches long, 71.5 inches wide, and 60.2 inches tall. The wheelbase sits at a very comfortable 102.4 inches. Even though it is roughly the same size as the old gasoline-powered Polo, the interior is actually 0.75 inches longer. This means passengers get more room for their legs and heads.

The trunk is also surprisingly large for a small hatchback. It can hold 15.4 ft³ of groceries or luggage. If you need to move something big, like a new television or a bicycle, you can fold the back seats down. This opens up a total of 43.9 ft³ of space, making this new EV very practical for small families or people who enjoy weekend trips.

Inside the cabin, things look very modern but simple. Drivers will sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel and look at a 10.25-inch digital screen for their speed and battery info. In the middle of the dashboard sits a large 13-inch screen for maps and music. Thankfully, Volkswagen listened to customers who hated touching screens for everything - the new Polo has physical buttons and switches, which are much easier to use while driving. There are also some nice metal accents to make the interior feel more expensive than it actually is.

Power is where things get interesting. The ID. Polo sits on the MEB+ platform and features a single motor in the front. You can choose between the base models with 85 kW (114 hp) or 99 kW (133 hp). If you want more pep, there is a 155 kW (208 hp) version. However, the king of the hill is the ID. Polo GTI. That model will arrive a year after the standard version and packs a healthy 166 kW (223 hp).

Battery choice depends on how far you need to go. The cheaper versions use a 37 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. These models charge a bit slowly at 90 kW. If you want more range, the higher-end models use a 52 kWh battery. This battery allows the car to travel up to 280 miles on a single charge. These versions also charge faster at 130 kW.

Volkswagen says the ID. Polo should start at a price of around $29,300. We have to wait a little longer for the official launch party, but these leaks show that the future of small electric cars finally looks promising.

Via