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The Volkswagen ID Polo GTI will arrive in 2027 as the German brand’s first proper attempt at an electric hot hatch, packing 223bhp.

Previewed by last year’s ID GTI concept, the sporty EV was confirmed on Wednesday as Volkswagen announced that the production version of the ID 2all concept will be named the ID Polo.

The ID Polo GTI – the first time EV to wear the GTI badge – will be based on the same electric only MEB Entry platform as the ID Polo, which is driven by a single front-mounted motor.

Volkswagen has confirmed this will pack 223bhp, 8bhp more than the ID Polo GTI's Alpine A290 rival.

Autocar has previously reported that Volkswagen is developing a hardcore Clubsport version of the ID Polo, targeting a peak output of 282bhp. 

It's also exploring whether a 400bhp four-wheel-drive R model utilising four in-wheel motors is feasible.

The prospect of an R model puts into doubt the future of the GTX name, which has so far adorned hot four-wheel-drive ID EVs.

A battery option has yet to be confirmed, but the ID Polo GTI will likely use the largest (56kWh) ID Polo pack, which in the regular car will provide a range of around 280 miles.

Like the standard ID Polo, the ID Polo GTI has been shown in near-production camouflaged guise. The pair share mostly the same design, but the GTI does sport some more aggressive cues, including slightly flared wheel arches, a small front diffuser, split boot-mounted spoilers and a pair of rear bumper cutouts (likely to mimic exhausts). It also appears to get larger alloy wheels of a bespoke design.

The regular ID Polo measures 4053mm long, 1816mm wide and 1530mm tall, which would make the ID Polo GTI only slightly larger than the A290.

The standard ID Polo is tipped to be priced at around £22,000, but we expect the hot version to start closer to £30,000. For reference, the A290 starts at £32,000 with the government's new Electric Car Grant added.

Following the ID Polo GTI, Volkswagen is preparing to expand its performance brand across multiple electric model lines. CEO Thomas Schäfer previously told Autocar the new hot EVs will be "mind-blowing" to drive.

Combustion engine firm Horse has revealed a range-extender powertrain that has been designed to allow easy conversions of battery-electric vehicles.

The new set-up, which will be shown by the Renault, Geely and Aramco joint venture at the Munich motor show, comprises a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an integrated generator and inverter. It produces up to 94bhp and is claimed to be no larger than a briefcase. As such, the unit – named C15 – can be installed in the ‘frunk’ of an EV or at its rear end, either horizontally or vertically.

There will also be a turbocharged version capable of putting out 161bhp that is aimed at D-segment models and commercial vehicles.

The engines have been designed to run on petrol, synthetic fuels and ethanol or methanol flex-fuel. They are said to be compliant with the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.

Neither unit has been engineered to drive a car’s wheels. Instead, they will run in their most efficient rev range for generating electricity for an EV’s drive battery, balanced against noise, vibration and harshness requirements.

Horse CEO Matias Giannini said: “Range-extended EVs [REEVs] are the fastest-growing powertrain category in many global markets. The Horse C15 range-extender solution offers [car companies] a straightforward and cost-effective way to tap into this opportunity, and adapt their native BEV platforms into REEVs. We believe demand for REEVs will continue to grow.”

Toyota will build its next battery-electric car at the Aygo X and Yaris factory in the Czech Republic, the company has confirmed.

An investment of €680 million (£592m) will be used to expand the factory from 152,000m2 to 173,000m2, adding a new battery production line, paint shop and welding facility.

The new development will increase the plant’s capacity beyond its current 220,000 cars per year, said Toyota, and the majority of components used for the new model will be sourced from within the Czech Republic. 

The company has yet to confirm what form the new model may take. The company referred to “multi-pathway” production, suggesting it might be a Europe-focused EV based on the same TNGA-B structure as the Yaris. 

However, it could occupy an altogether different market segment. Toyota Europe product and marketing boss Andrea Carlucci told Autocar earlier this year that an electric car in the vein of the Yaris was not yet viable. "We have deliberately decided to start [our electric car sales] in the fastest-growing segments [C, D and E],” he said. “The right moment will arrive, but this is not quite now.”

Toyota’s investment in the factory is backed by €64m (£56m) of funding from the Czech government. Czech prime minister Petr Fiala described the development as “crucial” for the future of the nation’s car industry, adding it will create 245 new jobs.