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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 as Volkswagen announced that the production version of the ID 2all concept will be named the ID Polo, and showed production versions of both cars at the Munich motor show.

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.

The new Volkswagen ID Cross concept previews a chunky, supermini-sized electric crossover that will arrive at the end of next year priced from around £25,000.

The new model, which is in effect a raised version of the incoming ID Polo hatch, is described as a city-friendly yet long-distance-capable five-seat SUV that will slot into the range beneath the ID 4.

The EV has been named to position it clearly as an electric counterpart to the T-Cross, said VW, and is part of a new naming strategy that will see well-known badges adorn EVs in place of the numerical system that has been in use since the ID 3 was revealed in 2018.

The ID Cross is one of four small EVs the Volkswagen Group is preparing to launch on its MEB Entry electric platform within the next 18 months, alongside the ID Polo, Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq.

At 4161mm long, 1839mm wide and 1588mm tall, and with a 2601mm wheelbase, the ID Cross is very close in size to the existing internal-combustion-engined T-Cross. It is 108mm longer, 23mm wider and 53mm taller than the ID Polo.

The new SUV is styled to be “clear, authentic and likeable”, with a rugged, off-roader appearance, VW styling boss Andreas Mindt told Autocar. Its “smiling” 3D front light signature is intended to give it an “approachable personality”, he added. Recognisable design cues include distinctive C-pillars that echo those of the ID Buzz.

The cabin mirrors that of the smaller ID Polo: VW has moved away from the glossy plastics of current ID models, and instead almost every visible surface is wrapped in pale fabric, giving the cabin a lighter, lounge-like appeal.

The dashboard is reduced to a single horizontal band running the width of the car, broken only by two digital displays: an 11in digital instrument panel ahead of the driver and a 13in central touchscreen. Physical controls have been pared back to a small row of touch-sensitive climate control buttons.

The steering wheel has been simplified too, adopting a squared-off shape and touch-panel controls in place of conventional stalks.

The boot has a capacity of 450 litres, supported by a small 25-litre frunk under the bonnet. This matches larger cars, such as the Volvo EX40. Volkswagen says all seats can fold completely flat.

Like other cars using the MEB Entry, power comes from a front-mounted electric motor that produces 208bhp, and sends drive to the front wheels. VW quotes a top speed of 109mph and a range of up to 261 miles.

The production version of the ID Cross will be revealed next summer before entering UK showrooms during the second half of 2026.

Volkswagen has yet to confi rm exact pricing, but the ID Cross is expected to start at around £25,000 – £3000 more than the smaller ID Polo but significantly less than the larger ID 4, itself scheduled to be heavily facelifted next year.

It is set to be built at VW’s Pamplona factory in Spain alongside the Skoda Epiq.

The new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC will go on sale early next year to start what CEO Ola Källenius has called “the biggest product offensive” in the company’s history.

Named the GLC with EQ Technology, the SUV is effectively a successor to the EQC. While that car was given its own name and styling, the new EV shares its title and general design language with the existing combustion-engined GLC, although the two models use different platforms.

The GLC is Mercedes’ best-selling car and sits in the premium SUV segment that Källenius sees as “the most important” to the firm.

The electric version uses the new MB.EA bespoke EV platform, which is designed for medium to large cars and has an 800V electrical architecture that allows for fast charging.

It also runs the latest version of the firm’s MB.OS infotainment software.

While the GLC EQ is all-new, it’s designed to closely resemble the existing GLC, explained Källenius: “If you were told this was the next-gen combustion GLC, you would say ‘yes, it’s the next logical step: it looks like a GLC’.”

The front is dominated by Mercedes’ new electric-only ‘Iconic Grille’, which is a larger and more upright design than on previous EVs.

The GLC EQ is broadly the same length as the ICE GLC, but its 2972mm wheelbase is 80mm longer – and nearly 100mm longer than the old EQC’s.

Källenius said the decision to stretch the wheelbase was taken “because we can”, adding: “You do it because you get extra space inside for free.

Compared with the ICE GLC, it has more leg room in the front and rear and increased head room, plus it offers a 570-litre boot and large 128-litre frunk.

While the GLC EQ will be offered with five different power outputs, it will arrive first in range-topping 400 form, with 483bhp. This features a dual-motor powertrain, including a new permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle and a new front motor that can disconnect when not required.

It also uses a two-speed gearbox, featuring gears with 11:1 and 5:1 ratios to maximise both acceleration and efficiency.

Källenius said that the rear bias of the powertrain is “desirable for any car that is somewhat focused on performance, and you get that for free with an EV”.

Power is drawn from a sizeable 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, which gives the GLC 400 EQ a claimed range of more than 435 miles.

Because of the 800V system, the battery can be charged at speeds of up to 330kW. As with the new CLA EQ, a DC converter will be offered “on a country-specific basis” to allow use of 400V public chargers – the most common type.

The suspension is a multi-link set-up both front and rear. Optional air suspension can lower the car on faster roads to reduce drag and consequently boost range, while optional rear-wheel steering reduces the car’s turning circle of 11.2m.

Another development is a new ‘one-box’ brake system that integrates energy regeneration and friction braking into a single system.

Four levels of regen are available, with the most aggressive able to recuperate around 300kW.

A suite of driver assistance systems will also be offered, including a ‘transparent bonnet’ function for off-roading.

Intended to fuse “analogue luxury” with “digital elegance”, the GLC EQ’s interior features a large centre console that merges into the instrument panel and revamped air vent and speaker grille designs.

It can be optioned with the largest seamless digital screen yet offered in a Mercedes model. It measures 39.1in, prompting Källenius to quip that “we’ve run out of words to name the screen” – although Mercedes has settled on Hyperscreen.

An optional Vegan Package is claimed to be the fi rst in which all the soft-touch materials are certified by the Vegan Society.

The GLC EQ and other future EVs based on the MB.EA platform will be built at Mercedes’ plant in Bremen, Germany, with additional production in Hungary and China.

It’s due to go on sale in early 2026. Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but the combustion-engined GLC starts at £54,450 and the old EQC latterly cost about £65,000.

Mercedes-Benz will launch the third-generation GLA crossover late next year, chairman Ola Källenius has confirmed.

The smallest member of the brand’s MMA-based compact car family will be sold in both electric and hybrid forms, replacing the first-generation EQA EV and the second-generation ICE GLA.

The entry-level EV is seen as a key model for the German firm to compete with some of the best selling compact electric cars on the market, such as the Volkswagen ID 3 and MG4. The petrol model will take on the Volkswagen Golf.

Speaking at the launch of the new Mercedes GLC EQ ahead of the Munich motor show, Källenius said the GLA "will be coming by the end of next year". "We will continue to offer it as an entry point into Mercedes's brand," he added.

Pictures of the new GLA testing reveal that it will have a sportier, more coupé-like silhouette than today’s model, with a distinctive front end featuring Mercedes' new 'Iconic Grille' which was debutted by the GLC.

Autocar understands the car is expected to grow in size to just over 4500mm in length, allowing for a more spacious interior. For comparison, the current GLA is 4410mm and EQA is 4463mm.

Although pictures have yet to be taken of the new GLA’s cabin, i'is expected to mirror the designs of the recently revealed CLA saloon and incoming GLB crossover.

They feature a free-standing full width display, AI-supported infotainment functions and more upmarket materials than today’s model – all of which aims to outclass rivals in the segment.

The electric version will also receive a frunk, something not present on today’s EQA.

Underneath, the electric GLA will use the same 800V electrical architecture as the new CLA.

That car is offered with either a 58.5kWh LFP or 85kWh NMC battery and a top-end range of 484 miles.

Drive comes from either a single-motor or dual-motor powertrain, which deliver 268bhp and 349bhp respectively.

As with its MMA siblings, the GLA is planned to receive at least two AMG performance models featuring axial flux motors from British firm Yasa in 2027. 

ICE versions of the GLA will also draw directly from the new CLA, using a hybridised 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 134bhp, 161bhp or 188bhp, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

Production will take place alongside the CLA saloon at Mercedes' recently refitted Rastatt plant in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz has shown the first image of the incoming electric C-Class ahead of its launch next year, and said it will have a maximum range of 500 miles.

The image was shown on Sunday at the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ, one of the star cars of this year’s Munich motor show, with which it will share its platform and powertrains.

The electric C-Class will be the main rival for BMW's new electric 3 Series, the i3, which is due on the market at around the same time with comparable specifications.

While limited in what it shows, the teaser image does reveal the new C-Class EV will sport the ‘Iconic Grille’ as debuted on the larger GLC, but with its own bespoke design – four slats instead of the SUV’s three.

Within the face, the slats, surround and three-pointed star are all illuminated by hundreds of LEDs. The image also shows the C-Class EV will adopt the same three-pointed daytime running lights as the GLC.

Mercedes-Benz did not reveal any other information about the car, but the preview shows the new electric C-Class will match the proportions of the current car – just as the new GLC EQ is styled to match its combustion-powered sibling.

The C-Class is twinned with the GLC and so will sit on Mercedes’ new MB.EA electric-only platform.

While the GLC offers a top-end range of 435 miles, Mercedes says the C-Class will arrive with 497 miles (800km) - no doubt partly a product of its lower, sleeker silhouette.

This will make it not just the longest-range Mercedes on sale, but one of the longest-range electric cars in the UK - almost matching the new BMW iX3's 500 miles.

Power will likely be drawn from the same 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery as the SUV. The 800V system means the GLC ’s pack can be charged at speeds of up to 330kW; expect the same from the C-Class.

The C-Class is also expected to be offered with a range of power outputs. For reference, the GLC can be had in five different configurations up to 483bhp.