Volkswagen is set to make updates to a large portion of its model range within the next year and change, with its ID. family of electric vehicles (EVs) and the Polo hatch in line to benefit.
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Speaking to UK publication Autocar, Volkswagen's research and development boss, Kai Grünitz, said the ID. models would all receive "huge improvements" in 2026, claiming the design of the EVs would be "going back to where we came from".
It's understood the driving force behind the redesign is the ID. 2all concept which debuted in March 2023 and will lead to a production version, simply named the ID.2.
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Mr Grünitz said this new design would be closer "to what Volkswagen stands for", which has been signalled as a desire from CEO Thomas Schäfer to make Volkswagen once again a "loved brand".
Visual differences between the ID. 2all concept and current ID. models include more pronounced trim under and around its headlights, a traditional squared-off lower front bumper, and a full-width rear light bar.
According to Mr Grünitz, there won't just be changes on the surface, with increases in performance and additional functionality to be included in the ID. updates. The cost of batteries is also expected to be brought down.
The ID.2 itself isn't due to launch in Europe until late 2025 or early 2026, however the R&D head says it'll be a "starting point" for Volkswagen's new era, "because customers will see there has been a change, and a much bigger change than expected," he added.
It'll eventually spawn an SUV variant, due to be revealed at the September 2025 Munich motor show as Volkswagen's second model on its lower-cost MEB Entry EV platform.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Polo – the combustion-powered hatchback which the ID.2 will effectively succeed – is also due for what's been called an extensive update in 2025, however Mr Grünitz didn't detail what changes we can expect.
It's unclear whether this will be a heavy refresh of the current Polo, which launched back in 2017 and received a facelift in 2021. Next year it'll be eight years old, at which point previous versions have typically entered a new generation.
Mr Grünitz said the Polo isn't yet at risk of disappearing from the Volkswagen lineup despite stricter Euro 7 regulations looming.
In May, Mr Schäfer said the Polo was effectively saved by European lawmakers passing a watered-down version of the emissions regulations, which largely mirror the Euro 6 ruleset currently in place.
"Polo will carry on… definitely until the end of this decade," the Volkswagen CEO told Autocar.
"We will keep it fresh. The car runs well. It's a good entry into the brand."
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
