The interior of the Volkswagen ID. Polo has been unveiled ahead of the electric light car’s full unveiling some time this year.
According to Volkswagen, the cabin has been “systematically optimised based on customer feedback”, referring to the negative feedback the company about the ID.3, and subsequent electric and combustion models.
One of the big complaints was the use of capacitive buttons on the steering wheel and elsewhere. While recent new models and facelifts have addressed this problem, the ID. Polo goes a step further by debuting a new two-spoke steering wheel design with up to 11 buttons on each spoke.
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The left spoke features controls for the cruise control system and sound system volume, while the right pad has buttons for the instrumentation screen, voice commands, steering wheel heating, and track skipping.
In front of the driver’s there’s a 10.25-inch instrument display that can be configured to show dials in the style of the first-generation Golf. In the centre of the dash is a 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which can also be set to a retro theme that includes readouts in the style of mechanical odometers and a media display with a cassette tape.
Although the only climate control display is at the bottom of the infotainment screen, there’s a row of physical switches below the air vents control temperature, fan speed, air-conditioning, recirculation, and demisters.
In the centre tunnel, between the smartphone charger and cupholder, is small volume dial that can also be used to turn the sound system on or off. The driver’s arm rest features a physical switch for each window, and physical controls for the mirrors.
Volkswagen was once lauded for its high quality, almost luxurious, interiors, and the ID. Polo seems to be trying to recapture that past glory.
The vehicle revealed over the weekend has seats partially covered in light grey fabric that’s also liberally applied to the door card, knee rests and lower dashboard, while the upper dash is covered with a black mesh fabric.
Future electric vehicles from Volkswagen will use the interior design themes established with the ID. Polo’s cabin.
In the middle of December, Volkswagen revealed many details about the new ID. Polo, which is based on the front-wheel drive MEB+ architecture.
Measuring 4053mm long, the ID. Polo will be roughly the same size as today’s petrol-powered model. The base 37kWh battery pack will be offered with a 85kW or 99kW electric motor, and support DC fast-charging up to 90kW.
The larger 52kWh battery comes with a 155kW motor in standard spec or a 166kW motor in the GTI. This battery can DC fast-charge at up to 130kW.
Pricing in Europe will start from around €25,000 (A$44,000), which is about €5000 (A$8800) more than the base petrol Polo. The petrol Polo will continue to be built and sold alongside the ID. Polo for the foreseeable future.