Democratised efficiency. The ID. Polo has the potential to make e-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 enhanced modular electric drive platform: the MEB+. Based on this evolutionary stage, a completely new front-wheel drive system was created especially for future compact electric models such as the ID. Polo. This has made it possible to reduce complexity and thus the number of components and the weight (which now starts from approx. 1,512 kg). These parameters in turn mean that the new ID. Polo boasts 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 it is precisely this, together with a similarly slim rear axle, that makes the luggage compartment volume of the compact ID. Polo soar to an excellent 435 litres with five people on board.
Newly designed electric motor. The electric drive for the ID. Polo is a completely new design. The dynamic heart of the efficient system is the new APP290 electric drive motor. APP stands for the axial parallel position, while 290 stands for 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). In the course of next year, an especially sporty version of ID. Polo with an output of 166 kW (226 PS) will follow as the most powerful model in the product line. The one-speed gearbox including housing and the likewise newly developed pulse inverter are flange-mounted to 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. This power electronics system also converts the direct current (DC) from 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 internally and is built in-house, there is also a cost advantage, which has a direct effect on the low starting price of the new ID. Polo. Other components of the drive system integrated compactly in the front end include the AC and DC charging socket at the front on the right-hand side, the charger integrated close-by and the electric air conditioner compressor. As an important component of thermal management, the latter has been decoupled from the body – a complex procedure – and thus does not transmit any vibrations to the interior.
New PowerCo unified cell. The flat lithium-ion battery in the ID. Polo is located in the vehicle floor between the front and rear axles. This battery with the name PowerCo unified cell is a completely new development from the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiary PowerCo. The new battery is manufactured at the Volkswagen gigafactory in Salzgitter. In addition, production is planned for Europe in Valencia, Spain. The new PowerCo unified cell uses cell-to-pack technology, where the cells are combined directly into a battery pack without the intermediate step via module housings. This reduces the price, installation space and weight, ensures more efficient thermal management and increases the energy density by around 10 per cent. The battery in the ID. Polo is available with a net energy content of 37 kWh as a lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) and with 52 kWh as a nickel manganese cobalt battery (NMC) with an even higher energy density. The AC charging capacity is 11 kW in both cases – for example, at a home charging station. The smaller battery can be charged at DC quick-charging stations with up to 90 kW, the larger battery with up to 130 kW. The forecasts for DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent with 90 kW predict a charging time of around 27 minutes; with 130 kW, the value is reduced to around 23 minutes. The currently determined ranges of around 300 km in conjunction with the 37 kWh battery and up to 450 km with the 52 kWh battery are also forecasts.
New sound at low speeds. The exterior sound of the ID. Polo has also been newly developed. The background: at low speeds of up to 20 km/h, virtually silent electric cars are required to emit a sound that can be heard by passers-by in many EU markets. Volkswagen has now designed a new brand sound that will be used for the first time in conjunction with the ID. Polo. Various parameters have been incorporated here to make the sound experience as pleasant and fascinating 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 a speed of 50 km/h. The sound tapestry is adapted in real time depending on driving-relevant variables such as speed, accelerator pedal position and drive torque.