DRIVEN NEW VW ID. POLO

Volkswagen itself will admit that its first EVs were a little wide of the mark, but an early drive of its new electric supermini will show if the firm has learned from its mistakes

- Jordan Katsianis [e-mail]

IT'S quite a bizarre experience in this job to walk into a room of engineers, designers and prototype cars and there not be an ounce of arrogance on show. But standing among the creators of Volkswagen's all-new ID. Polo, what we sense instead is cautious optimism.

Volkswagen knows it under-delivered with its first EVs. Initial models such as the ID.3 and ID.4 fell short of the quality, driving dynamics and reliability expected from a brand like VW, and that's before we take into account its half-baked approach to tech and ergonomics.

This is all about to change, though. Next year's ID. Polo is the first car in a new era for VW, says the company, driven by a new CEO and a realistic view of who its customers are and how they interact with their cars. There will be no more chances, so how does the new EV stack up?

Straight away, the new ID. Polo displays a sense of confidence that the ID.3 could never manage. With a wide stance and 19-inch wheels, it's blessed with a shape that is undeniably VW. We've still got a few months to wait to before we see the ID. Polo in its final form, but through the chaotic camouflage, elements such as smooth surfaces and clever lighting are clear. This is a Polo, but seen through a futuristic lens.

Of course, we do already have a very good idea of what the car will look like, thanks to 2023's ID. 2all concept, which was direct inspiration for the ID. Polo. And given this class's mandate for affordability and practicality, what's impressive is how similar the finished version is to the show car. It’s easy to make a supercar look like a concept, but it’s a very different ball game with a supermini.

Today isn't about deciding whether the ID. Polo looks good or not, but to get a sense of whether VW has learnt its lessons when we're at the wheel. And first impressions are good.