The 100% Electric VW ID. Polo GTI

Volkswagen is the leading electric vehicle seller in Europe. It may not be at the level of BYD or Tesla globally, but it is one of the top automakers in terms of EV sales globally as well. Europe is where it shines, though, and the new ID. Polo is an EV made for the European market. Now the company has unveiled the GTI version of the Volkswagen ID. Polo.

In fact, the Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI is the first GTI model that is fully electric, the first in 50 years of the GTI brand.

Is the ID. Polo GTI going to beat a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan at the track? No. But it is going to be a very fun, sporty little car.

Here are the core highlights of the new model according to its maker:

• GTI power for new small car — the 166 kW (226 PS) ID. Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and enables high cornering dynamics
• GTI equipment designed for driving pleasure — the ID. Polo GTI comes as standard with an electronically controlled front axle differential lock, adaptive DCC chassis, 19-inch alloy wheels, premium sports seats and IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights
• New GTI driving profile — drive and chassis systems are switched to dynamic mode at the touch of a button, and the cockpit also changes to a specific colour and graphics scheme
• Long range and suitable for everyday use — the 52 kWh battery of the ID. Polo GTI enables a WLTP range of up to 424 km; luggage compartment volume of up to 1,240 litres

The car is not for sale yet, but it is going to be available for presale in the fall. The starting price is supposed to be €39,000.

It is supposed to fast charge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes, charging at up to 105 MW. Again, this is far from top of the industry (very far from it), but it’ll do the trick. The electric car uses a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.

Various details and design elements of the new Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI can be found here.

Related story: Volkswagen ID. Polo — The Return Of The People’s Car