Three legends, plenty of action – and a look into the future: the Polo is celebrating its 50th anniversary in sporty aplomb with an impressive drifting video. In it, the Polo R WRC and Polo R Supercar in a Harlekin livery selected by fans, as well as the electric Polo RX1e, show off their drifting abilities. None other than Johan Kristoffersson himself goes full throttle at unusual locations around the Polo plant in South Africa. But even the World Rallycross Champion is outshone at the end by a surprise guest.

Half a century of the Polo. Fifty years in which the small Volkswagen has achieved great things – on the road, in the hearts of fans and in motorsport. Because the Polo is not only one of the brand’s best-known models, it is also one of the most successful. In everyday life or motorsport, its impact is unmistakable – with numerous titles in the World Rally and Rallycross Championships. Now the legend is back in spectacular style: Volkswagen is showcasing the Polo R WRC and Polo R Supercar from the Volkswagen Classic collection, along with the all-electric Polo RX1e as the KMS racing team’s guest vehicle. The video can now be viewed on Volkswagen’s global social media channels.

The video shows the trio in breathtaking drifts and impressive manoeuvres. “In our communications regarding the Polo anniversary, we not only want to look back, but forward too and generate enthusiasm for the Volkswagen brand. That’s why we deliberately decided to showcase the ID. Polo’s first appearance in a spectacular and surprising way. This video stands for everything that is quintessential of the Polo: a small car that can do great things and that is geared towards the future,” says Jens Katemann, Head of Communications for the Volkswagen Brand and Brand Group Core.

In the fast-paced video, Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson sits at the wheel – and you can immediately see that spectacular manoeuvres are his forte: the seven-time FIA World Rallycross Champion and two-time Gymkhana Grid Champion skilfully steers the powerful all-wheel-drive vehicles in precise drifts in a wide variety of situations. “The shoot was a huge pleasure for me. It was a great experience to drive the sporty Polo models one after the other and push them to their limits – their characters are different, but they all performed equally really well,” says Johan Kristoffersson, currently top driver in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Top director also showcases the home of the Polo
The shooting locations were not chosen at random: Gqeberha in South Africa has been the home of the Polo for many years, including Polos for the European market. The cameras recorded captivating scenes at the harbour, on a closed-off highway in downtown Gqeberha, on the Volkswagen test track and at the Volkswagen plant in Kariega. The video was directed by none other than Jon Richards. With more than 20 years of experience in the automotive film industry and many years as a director of Top Gear, he is considered to be one of the most influential storytellers in this genre – and he once again proves his mettle with the Polo drift video.

Vehicles in the classic colours of the Polo Harlekin
The two older Polo models from the 5th generation sport a special livery: created by renowned designer Sean Bull, it is a tribute to the Polo Harlekin cult model. In April, fans were asked to choose one of four designs and, in an online vote for the livery, chose the classic Harlekin colours Ginster Yellow, Flash Red, Pistachio and Chagall Blue. Together with the many motorsport elements, the vehicles are real eye-catchers.

Grand finale with the all-electric future, the ID. Polo

At the end, the drift clip makes a clear statement. Then, surprisingly, the future all-electric successor appears: the new ID. Polo is welcomed by its sporty predecessors and enters the spotlight as the new member of the Polo family – an exciting new chapter after 50 successful years.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. Polo GTI - Fuel consumption: combined 6.9-6.5 l/100km; CO₂ emissions: combined 156-149 g/km; CO₂ class: F-E. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

02. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

Today the series production of the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE has started in Saxony. The 1,990 vehicles roll off the production line at the Zwickau vehicle plant and the Transparent Factory in Dresden. The model was developed in collaboration with the performance sportswear brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE, part of the Munich-based luxury sports fashion company BOGNER, just like the legendary Golf II Fire and Ice, which became a surprise success in the 90s and now enjoys cult status among fans. In tribute to the original model’s debut year, only 1990 units of the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE will be available to order. Prices in Germany start from €56,020.

Danny Auerswald, Spokesman of the Board of Management at Volkswagen Saxony: "The ID.3 is a Saxony original and marked the beginning of the era of electric mobility for the Volkswagen Group at the end of 2019. With more than one million electric vehicles of the Volkswagen, Audi and CUPRA brands produced at our Zwickau and Dresden sites, our team has demonstrated that it has mastered transformation: technically, structurally and, above all, mentally. We will deliver the first ten cars of the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE in time for the IAA and the ID. Meeting in Locarno. I am convinced that with this special model, we are following on seamlessly from the surprise success of the 1990s."

Uwe Kunstmann, Chairman of the General Works Council of Volkswagen Saxony: "The ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE is an impressive special model that is a good fit for the brand and Volkswagen Saxony. After almost six years, the ID.3 is inseparably linked to the state of Saxony. With attractive and special vehicles, we ensure demand from customers and thus secure capacity utilisation and employment on our production lines. Our team is ready to build a special model every year. All colleagues involved in the project have done a great job. I would like to express my deepest thanks to them."

Dirk Panter, Saxon State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection: "In Saxony, we show every day that we are not only able to produce cars of the highest quality in series. The production of special vehicle editions in particular proves how diverse and flexible the Zwickau and Dresden sites are. Such special models are not just top industrial achievements - they also carry a piece of the Free State to the outside world and thus symbolise innovative strength and reliability “made in Saxony”."

The ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE is available with two motor options – 210 kW (286 PS) and 240 kW (326 PS). At both output levels, the electric motor generates a maximum torque of 545 Nm. In the more potent version, the ID.3 GTX special edition accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with electronic regulation not kicking in until a speed of 200 km/h. In addition, the sports DCC chassis comes as standard with this model. It is available as an option for the 210 kW version. The electrical energy comes from a 79 kWh lithium-ion battery (net), which can be charged at DC quick-charging stations with up to 185 kW. With this power, the battery can be charged from 10% back up to 80% in around 26 minutes. The combined WLTP range is up to 591 km.

The ID.3: A Saxony original for the world

Since its world premiere in mid-July, an ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE has been on display for visitors at the Gläserne Manufaktur. It is the project of six apprentices from Dresden and Zwickau and visually corresponds to the series version. The idea was to bridge the gap between the world premiere and the start of series production so that customers could see the car. With a great deal of creativity and passion, a vehicle was created that has already attracted a great deal of attention from around 400 guests every day - and strengthens the Transparent Factory as a sales destination in addition to deliveries and test drives, also in the area of vehicle advice in front of customers.

Since the official start of production in November 2019, more than 350,000 ID.3s in different variants and with different battery sizes have rolled off the production line in Zwickau and Dresden. The ID.3 is available in almost 40 countries worldwide. The furthest market from Germany is the island of La Réunion (around 9,000 kilometres as the crow flies), followed by French Guiana (around 8,000 kilometres as the crow flies), Martinique and Guadeloupe (each around 7,500 kilometres as the crow flies). Around one in ten vehicles in the ID.3 series is a sporty GTX model.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. ID.3 GTX 210 kW - combined power consumption 15.3-14.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A

02. ID.3 GTX Performance 240 kW - combined power consumption 16.7-14.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A

03. Maximum possible charging capacity. The charging behaviour of different charging stations can differ, even if their kW capacity is the same. In addition to a charging station’s kW output, the maximum charge current also influences the amount of energy that flows. Furthermore, the ambient temperature, battery temperature and charge level influence the maximum possible charging capacity. The specified maximum charging capacity is calculated under WLTP conditions at a temperature of approx. 23 °C and a charge level from five per cent. If these variables change, the charging capacity may deviate from the specified standard value

04. Range determined on the rolling road test bed in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) in the most range-favourable equipment variant. The actual WLTP range values may differ depending on the equipment. The actual range achieved under real conditions varies depending on the driving style, speed, use of comfort features or auxiliary equipment, outside temperature, number of passengers/load, topography and the ageing and wear process of the battery

Volkswagen is also setting the course for the future when it comes to model names: with a new naming strategy that also transfers the familiar designations of combustion-engine models to its all-electric ID. family. The first model to be launched will be the ID. Polo from 2026. The concept car is known as the ID. 2all.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and member of the Group Board of Management: “Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody characteristics such as quality, timeless design and technologies for all. That’s why we’re moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.”

Volkswagen will transfer more established names to the electric portfolio with each new model generation. At the same time, all vehicles with conventional drives will continue to run under their previous names. With this strategy, Volkswagen is bringing together the electric and combustion engine worlds, helping customers navigate the brand’s product range more easily in the future.

The designation ID. stands for advanced technologies and electric mobility. The Polo has always stood for quality, safety and democratisation of innovations. The new ID. Polo combines these characteristics and will be launched with its new name in the Polo’s 50th anniversary year as the first model of this strategy. Martin Sander, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales: “Our cars often accompany people for many years – they shape memories and stages of life. A model like the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be: it stands for reliability, personality and history. That’s precisely why we are again giving our ID. models names that arouse emotions and are anchored in people’s everyday lives. Electric mobility should not only be progressive, but also accessible and personal.”

The second future ID. model for the small car segment will evoke special emotions. Martin Sander: “We are bringing one of our strongest brands, the GTI, into the electric world. Also launching in 2026, the ID. GTI Concept model will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI. It will offer outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure.”

The still-camouflaged ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI will make their first public appearance worldwide at the IAA MOBILITY in Munich (8 to 14 September). The day before, on 7 September, Volkswagen will unveil the concept vehicle for an electric compact SUV, the new ID. CROSS Concept, in a world premiere. The production version of this concept vehicle – the ID. Cross – will be launched at the end of 2026 as the electric counterpart to the T-Cross.

For Volkswagen, the premiere of the smaller and more compact vehicles in its electric family marks the start of a new era – it will make electric driving more affordable than ever, thanks to new models such as the ID. Polo and ID. Cross. All new model show clearly, that Volkswagen is responding even more closely to customers feedback. This is evident, among other things, in the higher level of quality with soft materials, the intelligent combination of digital and physical controls such as buttons and knobs in the steering wheel and cockpit as well as the intuitive operating concept.

Volkswagen introduced the naming of the ID. family in 2018. It designates the stand-alone all-electric product range in the Volkswagen brand portfolio. The first model to be launched was the ID.3. Further models followed, which are also differentiated by model numbers depending on the vehicle segment. The largest model is the ID.7, available as a saloon and estate. This is currently the market leader in Germany and Europe.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

02. ID. Polo / ID. Polo GTI / ID. CROSS Concept / ID. Cross - Near-production concept car

03. ID. 2all / ID. GTI Concept - Concept car

04. ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI - Near-production concept cars

The time has come: Volkswagen presents the new T-Roc! Developed completely from scratch, the second generation of the best seller boasts an expressive design and innovative drive systems. The high-quality interior features a newly designed cockpit, an infotainment screen measuring up to 33 centimetres (13 inch) and background lighting that creates a lounge-like atmosphere. In addition, the T-Roc offers more space in the interior and luggage compartment. New assist systems and technologies from higher vehicle classes complete the model. Examples include Travel Assist and the driving experience control. Pre-sales of the new T-Roc start in Germany on 28 August, with the market launch scheduled for November. Prices start at 30,845 euros for the 1.5 eTSI with 85 kW/115 PS.

Second generation with a new design. The model’s major leap forward in terms of development can be seen at first glance in its powerful, clean design. It retains the characteristic T-Roc DNA with the coupé-like rear end and makes the most of the advantages of 12 cm more overall length compared with the predecessor model. The larger proportions are what make the dynamic design possible.

The lighting design also plays a significant role in the new interpretation of the T-Roc. New LED headlights at the front are standard. IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are available as an option (standard for R-Line and Style in Germany) and are connected to the white illuminated Volkswagen logo by a narrow light strip. The rear end of the T-Roc also features a continuous LED crossbar with a red illuminated Volkswagen logo (depending on equipment).

High-quality interior and best-in-class features. The interior has been significantly improved and impresses with its premium quality, soft surfaces and innovative technologies. For example, the dash panel is upholstered in a newly developed fabric, which creates a lounge-style atmosphere together with the background lighting. The new T-Roc adopts numerous features from the larger Tiguan and Tayron models, such as the latest evolutionary stage of the driving experience control, which can be used to select driving profiles and control the volume, among other things. A new feature in the T-Roc and in its class is also the optional windscreen head-up display, which projects important information such as speed or navigation pictograms directly on to the windscreen in front of the driver.

More space for up to five people. The space in the new T-Roc is suitable for long journeys and families. Even if people taller than 1.85 m are seated in the front, passengers of a similar stature can comfortably sit in the rear thanks to the extra 12 cm added to the length of the new T-Roc. In addition, an electrically adjustable 14-way ergoActive seat with massage function will be available in the Style version for the first time in the T-Roc. The boot volume increases by 30 litres to 475 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests.

Technology transfer thanks to MQB evo. Following the current Tiguan (debut in 2024) and Tayron (debut in 2025), the new T-Roc is the third SUV from Volkswagen to be based on the latest evolutionary stage of the modular transverse matrix, the MQB evo – and thus benefits from the hardware and software developments in this modular assembly matrix. These include a new development stage of Travel Assist. It not only supports automatic lane changes, but can also react with even more foresight to speed limits or the lifting of speed limits. For the first time, the new T-Roc also has systems such as Park Assist Pro on board. This system uses the memory function to ensure trained and thus fully automatic parking over distances of up to 50 metres and enables a smartphone to be used to drive the vehicle into and out of parking spaces. The exit warning system is also available as an option and can warn occupants before the doors are opened that cars or bicycles are approaching from behind.

Mild hybrid as standard. The new T-Roc will be available exclusively with innovative hybrid turbocharged petrol engines on the European market. For the launch, there are two 48V mild hybrid drives (1.5 eTSI) with 85 kW (116 PS) and 110 kW (150 PS). They will be followed by two full hybrid drive systems that have been developed entirely from scratch. These always have front-wheel drive. As with the predecessor model, the new T-Roc will also be available later down the line with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive – in combination with the 2.0-litre TSI, which will then likewise be offered as a mild hybrid (mHEV). A T-Roc R will also be available in the future as the most powerful variant. All 1.5 and 2.0 mild hybrids feature a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

New range of versions. The equipment matrix for the new T-Roc will now be more clearly structured and customer-focused. In order to make configuration as simple as possible, Volkswagen has combined standard and optional individual features and packages with the four equipment versions. The packages are precisely tailored to customer preferences, resulting in a streamlined range of standard and optional equipment at attractive prices. In addition, the package range has been reduced by 50 per cent. The range consists of the basic Trend version (focus on budget and functionality), the first expansion package Life (focus on functionality and comfort) as well as the two top-of-the-line versions Style (focus on design and technology) and R-Line (focus on sportiness).

A total of six paint finishes are available for the new T-Roc: Pure White solid, Wolf Grey metallic as well as the new paint colours Canary Yellow solid, Flamed Red metallic, Celestial Blue metallic and Grenadilla Black metallic. The roof is also available in the bi-colour Black Solid colour. In addition, all versions of the T-Roc can be ordered with a towing bracket whose drawbar load (80 kg) is also designed for transporting heavy e-bikes.

A car from Europe for Europe. The first generation of the T-Roc was launched on the market in 2017 and quickly established itself. An update followed in model year 2022. Last year, about 292,000 new vehicle buyers across Europe opted for the compact all-rounder, which is produced at the Portuguese plant in Palmela near Lisbon. A total of more than two million units have been sold to date. This makes the T-Roc the world’s most successful SUV from Volkswagen after the Tiguan.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

01. T-Roc 1.5 eTSI (110 kW/150 PS) - Energy consumption: combined 6.0-5.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions: combined 137-125 g/km, CO₂ class: E-D

02. T-Roc 1.5 eTSI (85 kW/115 PS) - Energy consumption: combined 6.0-5.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions: combined 137-124 g/km, CO₂ class: E-D

03. Within the limits of the system: the driver must always be ready to override the assist system and is not released from the responsibility of driving the vehicle with due care and attention