Volkswagen's 2026 ID. Polo Clubsport in the works as hot new alternative to the Hyundai i20N and GR Yaris: report

Hot on the heels of Volkswagen’s unveiling of its fully electric ID. Polo, the brand has hinted that a high-performance ‘Clubsport’ version of the little hatch is on the way, according to reports.

The ID. Polo is Volkswagen’s first electric variant of the model and it has just arrived in Europe to rival the likes of the BYD Dolphin and MG4 with an entry price of about $41,000. The sporty GTI version is due to launch in Europe next year.

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While at the preview drive of the ID. Polo GTI Volkswagen dynamics boss Florian Umbach hinted of what was to come.

"We are working on something," he told Autocar. 

"There is certainly more peak power that we can find from the motor and battery hardware that we have and more torque that the front axle could handle also. There is clear potential.” 

Umbach also revealed that Volkswagen was working on a paddle shift style ‘gear-change’ system for the vehicle similar to what Hyundai uses on the Ioniq 5 N.

“This is simply a software thing,” he explained. “It’s all about motor control and an audio soundtrack to match.” 

There is a catch, however. And that, according to Umbach, is the success of the GTI. If that proves popular then his other ‘dream’ projects like Clubsport have a chance of getting the green light.

“These are the kinds of things that the executive board will only let us explore if the GTI is a commercial success, of course. If people respond to this car as it is, we can really take it to the next level.”

The ID. Polo has yet to be confirmed for Australia with the local arm saying that neither availability nor timing for the arrival of the hatch were certain.

The ID. Polo is shorter in length than its petrol cousin at 4053mm, but wider at 1816mm and taller at 1530mm.

Powering the ID. Polo is a choice of three motors making 85kW, 99kW and 155kW, while the GTI version will produce 166kW.

Two batteries are offered - a 37kWh with 329km of range and a 52kWh battery will offer up to 454km.

Volkswagen has a growing range of electric models in its Australian line-up which includes the ID. Buzz people mover, ID. Cargo van and Transporter, along with the ID. 4 and ID.5 SUVs.