While high-performance electric vehicles from brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Audi are on the rise, it is unlikely that VW will join this segment and stick to its EV-only approach.
VW is committed to offering accessible performance in its future hot Golf models, which will compete with other electric hot hatches like the Alpine A290, Abarth 500e, MG 4 X Power, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Volkswagen’s iconic names will continue in the electric age
Volkswagen’s CEO, Ralf Schafer, has confirmed that the Golf, Tiguan, and GTI badges are the only “iconic” names that will be carried forward into the brand’s fully-electric future lineup. The fate of the rest of the nameplates will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The current ID names may not make it into the second generation, as VW is streamlining its model range by eliminating separate ICE and EV lineups.
VW ID 2 will have a different name than Polo
The VW ID 2 concept, which has inspired the new VW GTI concept, will not be named Polo in production. According to Schafer, the ID 2 will be positioned at a higher price point than the Polo, and giving it the Polo name would limit its earning potential.
The ID 2 will be based on a more affordable version of the updated MEB + platform, offering longer ranges, faster charging, and reduced costs. This platform will be used in models well into the 2030s. However, VW’s ultimate goal is to transition all its models to the SSP platform, which is designed for cars priced from the €20,000s to €60,000s and beyond.
Schafer acknowledged the challenge of achieving a starting price of €25,000 and highlighted VW’s efforts to optimize production costs through variants of the same platform and improved supply chain management.
Regarding the SSP architecture, VW’s R&D boss, Kai Grunitz, stated that certain decisions, including the electrical architecture, are yet to be finalized. While the current plan is to use an 800V system, a 400V option is being considered for smaller and more affordable models. This technology is being developed for the MEB+ platform.
