226 PS GTI electric drive. The drive system of the ID. Polo GTI is a new design called APP290. APP stands for the axial parallel position, while 290 indicates the maximum torque of the electric drive motor in newton-metres. In the ID. Polo GTI, it develops a maximum performance of 166 kW (226 PS) and achieves revs of up to 15,000 rpm. When the driver requests full power, the ID. Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds. The maximum speed of the compact sports car is limited to 175 km/h. Other components of the drive system include a 1-speed gearbox and a newly developed pulse inverter. 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.
52 kWh GTI battery. The flat lithium-ion battery system of the ID. Polo GTI – the new Group unified cell – is located in the vehicle floor between the front and rear axles. The 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 in the battery system. In parallel to this, its housing reinforces the body structure. The net energy content of the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) variant used in the GTI is 52 kWh. The battery can be charged at a home charging station or public AC charging points with 11 kW. A charging capacity of up to 105 kW is available for DC quick charging; DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent with maximum charging capacity takes around 24 minutes thanks to a particularly constant charging curve.
New sound at low speed. The exterior sound of the ID. Polo GTI 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 2026 in conjunction with the latest ID. models such as the ID. Polo GTI. Various parameters are 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 generated up to 50 km/h. The sound tapestry is adapted in real time depending on driving-relevant variables such as speed, accelerator position and drive torque.