Volkswagen expands electric lineup with ID. 3 GTI and ID. Polo

Volkswagen is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with several key developments. The company has unveiled the ID. 3 GTI, a high-performance electric hatchback that marks a significant shift for the GTI brand. It is the most powerful production GTI in the brand's 50-year history, featuring 326 hp (240 kW) and 545 Nm of torque. Notably, it is the first GTI to utilize a rear-wheel-drive configuration. The model is expected to offer a range of up to 601 km (WLTP) and is slated for a release in early 2027.

Additionally, Volkswagen is introducing the ID. Polo, a fully electric seventh-generation hatchback designed for urban mobility. The ID. Polo offers various battery options, including 37 kWh and 52 kWh, with ranges reaching up to 449 km. The vehicle emphasizes a return to classic design elements while integrating modern connectivity and driving assistance technologies.

In terms of efficiency research, Volkswagen showcased the ‘Mission Efficiency’ prototype. This teardrop-shaped vehicle achieved a drag coefficient of 0.158 and demonstrated extreme efficiency, capable of traveling 1,278 km on a single charge under specific ideal conditions. The project utilizes production-ready technology from the MEB+ platform to explore the limits of aerodynamic and energy efficiency in mass-market electric vehicles.