Efficiency for all. The ID. Polo has the potential to make electric mobility accessible to more people than ever before at a starting price of less than 25,000 euros. The key technology for this is provided by Volkswagen’s upgraded modular electric drive platform: the MEB+. Based on this evolutionary stage, a brand-new front-wheel drive was designed especially for future compact electric models such as the ID. Polo. With this, it was possible to reduce the complexity and thus the number of components and the weight (from approx. 1,568 kg). Parameters that make the new ID. Polo stand out with lower prices, higher efficiency and great agility. In addition, the electric front-wheel drive offers clear advantages in terms of space, as no drive modules are used at the rear. And that’s exactly what, along with a similarly slim rear axle, allows the luggage compartment volume of the compact ID. Polo with five people on board to grow to an excellent 441 litres.
Newly designed electric drive motor. The electric drive system for the ID. Polo is a new design. The dynamic heart of the efficient system is the new APP290 electric motor. APP stands for the axial parallel position, while 290 indicates the maximum torque in newton-metres. The new electric drive motor will initially be available in three output levels with 85 kW (116 PS), 99 kW (135 PS) and 155 kW (211 PS). Over the course of the coming year, a particularly sporty version with an output of 166 kW (226 PS) will follow as the most powerful model in the product line: the ID Polo GTI. The one-speed gearbox including housing and the new pulse inverter are flanged onto the motor housing.
New pulse inverter as the brain. The pulse inverter coordinates the power and torque development as well as the recuperation of the drive system. These power electronics also convert the direct current (DC) stored in the battery into the alternating current (AC) needed by the electric drive motor. The new pulse inverter is an independent Volkswagen development which, thanks to the high-tech components and high-quality materials used, increases efficiency and thus lowers the consumption of the ID. Polo. Since the component was developed and built in-house, there is also a cost advantage, which has a direct effect on the affordable entry-level price of the ID. Polo. Other components in the drive, which are integrated neatly into the front body, include the AC and DC charging socket at the front on the right-hand side, the charger integrated nearby and the electric air conditioning compressor. As an important thermal management component, the latter has been carefully decoupled from the body and therefore does not transmit any vibrations to the interior.
Group unified cell. The flat lithium-ion battery system of the ID. Polo – the Group unified cell – is located in the vehicle floor between the front and rear axles. As its name suggests, it is an entirely new development from the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiary PowerCo. The new battery system uses cell-to-pack technology, where the cells are combined directly into a battery pack without the intermediate step via module housings. Three of these battery packs form the energy storage unit within the battery system. In parallel to this, its housing reinforces the body structure. The battery for the compact model is offered with a net energy content of 37 kWh as a lithium iron phosphate version (LFP) and with 52 kWh as a nickel manganese cobalt version (NMC) with an even higher energy density. The AC charging capacity at a domestic wall box or public charging stations is 11 kW. The smaller battery can be charged from 10 to 80% in about 23 minutes at DC quick-charging stations and offers a range of up to 329 km. The larger Battery enables ranges of up to 454 km and can be charged from 10 to 80% in about 24 minutes at DC stations.
New sound at low speed. The exterior sound of the ID. Polo has also been developed from scratch. This is because many EU markets require almost silent electric cars to emit a sound audible to passers-by at low speeds of up to 20 km/h. Volkswagen has now designed a new brand sound that will be used for the first time in conjunction with the ID. Polo. Various parameters are incorporated here to make the sound experience as pleasant and exhilarating as possible. The new sound is active up to 25 km/h in all gear selector positions and driving profiles. In the Sport driving profile, a particularly charismatic sports sound is also generated up to speeds of 50 km/h. The sound tapestry is adapted in real time depending on driving-relevant variables such as speed, accelerator position and drive torque.