Volkswagen has revealed overnight the latest member of the all-electric ID family in the form of a concept that is widely expected to replace the Polo in 2025.
The work of Wolfsburg’s new Head of Design Andreas Mindt – who replaced Jozef Kaban earlier this year after the designer famous for the Bugatti Veyron was fired after writing a concept that was universally disliked by the car’s management and boss Thomas Schäfer – is called ID.2all. It has the same level of space as the Golf, but at the price of the Polo.
Indeed, Volkswagen has hinted that ID.2all production will eventually cost from € 25 000 (R488 210), a figure that has admitted to have a challenge to come compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Also read: Focus on EVs will see Volkswagen end Polo and T-Cross by 2025
Broken down
Stylistically heavily inspired by the current Polo, but not a simple “copy-and-paste” project, ID.2all also debuts Volkswagen’s latest all-electric MEB platform called MEB Entry which will replace the MQB A0 Polo architecture in the long-run.
An evolution of the regular MEB used by the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, and ID.Buzz, the MEB Entry will eventually be the basis for the model lined up to replace the Skoda Fabia and the Ibiza Seat, which are now, too using MQB A0.
So, the dimensions of the replacement will undoubtedly be identical to the ID.2all, which measures 4 050 mm long, 1 530 mm high and 1 812 mm wide. The wheelbase is rated at 2 600 mm and according to Volkswagen, the boot space ranges from 490 liters to 1 330 liters with the rear seats down.
Golf 7 influence
Despite the appearance of three doors because the rear door handle is integrated into the C-pillar, the ID.2all is unlikely to offer less than five doors, although according to Mindt, “the C-pillar is the backbone of Volkswagen’s design”.
He explained by saying, “the window shoulder, the feature line at the bottom and the side should create a positive tension together with the front end”.
Acknowledging that the Golf 7 played a role in the design of the ID.2all, Mindt further revealed that the Polo-inspired front end has now been deliberate as “likeability” and “excitement” were identified as two factors to be combined.
“The front of the ID.2all is characterized by an upward element. It is important for us that the front of Volkswagen shows human expression. Like the ID.2all,” the former Head of Design at Audi and Director of Design at Bentley continued.
Modern and minimalist
Said to pay respect to the Beetle in addition to the Golf and Polo from the outside, the interior ID.2all ushers in a new look with a minimalist design and focus on modernization as well as connectivity.
While it is still visible the elements of what will be the final production model, the main features include a flowing dashboard, a thin center console containing a rotary transmission dial selector and two expansive displays; 10.9-inch for the instrument cluster and 12.9-inch for the infotainment system.
In addition to the new steering wheel, and in-line with comments made by Schäfer last year, the touch-sensitive button much criticized on the wheel departed in favor of a pair of physical roller switches, while materials, another point of the new ID. dissatisfaction, which has significantly updated.
The EV that beat the GTI
The biggest focal point is the drivetrain. Mounted on the front axle and not the rear as in the ID.3, thus making the ID.2all front-wheel-drive, the unspecified battery pack produces a combined power of 166 kW, 19 kW more than the current Polo GTI. .
The top speed is limited to 160 km/h with Volkswagen claiming a 0-100 km/h sprint in seven seconds, a range of 450 km and a waiting time of 20 minutes from 10-80% using a fast charger of up to 170 kW. Standard from the start is an 11 kW charger.
when?
Forming part of the ten electric vehicles to be launched before 2026 as Volkswagen heads towards an all-EV future by 2030, the ID.2all is sure to get a bit of a makeover inside and out when production begins.
Although Volkswagen did not mention the start of assembly, reports that mid-2025 looks good as Polo production will reportedly end in late 2024.
As we know, the ID.2all that replaces the Polo in Europe will not have an initial impact in South Africa as Volkswagen last year announced the production of it and the Polo Vivo at the factory in Kariega, formerly Uitenhage, for the local market. beyond 2025.