- VW’s fully electric offerings will receive a visual makeover, starting in 2026.
- The 2026 VW ID.2 hatchback will serve as a template for the upcoming facelifts.
- The new looks will be combined with major upgrades to the MEB architecture.
Volkswagen is gearing up for a sweeping redesign of its electric ID lineup, accompanied by substantial upgrades to its MEB architecture. The refreshed range is set to roll out in 2026, with Volkswagen’s R&D chief describing the overhaul as “a much bigger change than expected.”
The new design philosophy will draw inspiration from the production version of the VW ID.2all concept, expected to debut in late 2025 or early 2026. This compact yet forward-thinking model will serve as the aesthetic blueprint for VW’s electrified future.
Rooted in Heritage, Focused on the Future
Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development, shared fresh insights on the redesign during an interview with Autocar at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to Grünitz, the revamped design direction is “going back to where we came from”, adding that it is closer “to what Volkswagen stands for.”
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While he didn’t specify which ID models will be updated first or the precise timeline for the rollout, industry reports suggest that VW’s entire electric lineup will be reimagined. The ID.3 hatchback and ID.4/ID.5 SUVs, being among the earliest MEB-based models, are likely at the front of the queue for facelifts.
Meanwhile, the newer ID.7 sedan may follow suit, though the retro-cool ID.Buzz van might escape major exterior revisions. In typical VW fashion, the changes aim to refine rather than reinvent the lineup’s core appeal.
MEB Evolution
Beyond styling, the updates will deliver technical enhancements, including improved performance, lower battery costs, and “new functionality.” Grünitz hinted that these advancements will extend the MEB platform’s lifecycle until the next-gen SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) takes over, covering “everything from city cars to high-performance supercars”.
Volkswagen is clearly playing the long game with SSP, backed by its recent partnership with Rivian. Grünitz was quick to praise the US-based EV maker, describing it as “much leaner and faster than traditional OEMs” and comparable to the nimbleness of Chinese automakers. He also commended Rivian’s “best-in-class” OTA (over-the-air) software updates—a capability VW intends to adopt for its own electric arsenal.
ID.2 To Spawn Electric SUV and Hot Hatch
The next step for VW is to show an ID.2-based SUV concept at the 2025 Munich Motor Show. This study will be a preview for the second production EV to ride on the MEB Entry platform, following the ID.2 hatchback.
Enthusiasts have even more to look forward to: the ID.2 will evolve into the first-ever fully electric GTI. As previewed by the ID.GTI Concept in 2023, this hot hatch is set to debut in 2026, embodying the spirit of the Golf GTI. Grünitz teased that the model will blend nostalgia with innovation, delivering surprises that should resonate with VW loyalists and newcomers alike.
