Angry? Just disappointed? No, it’s the VW ID. Cross Concept

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? But perhaps you didn’t expect it to happen so soon? Before things get too existential, we’d probably better point out that we’re referring to the crossoverisation of Volkswagen’s small new EV.

Yep, mere days after it was confirmed for production as the sensibly named ID. Polo, we’re already seeing the jacked-up version with slightly more black plastic cladding. This is the ID. Cross Concept, and it previews an “affordable electric compact SUV in the T-Cross class”.

We’re told that a production version will reach the market in 2026 (to follow the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI), and that it has been penned with VW’s new ‘Pure Positive’ design language in mind.

“It is based on our three design cornerstones of stability, likeability and secret sauce; it will characterise every new Volkswagen in the future,” said design boss Andreas Mindt about the new philosophy. Right.

“We rely on a pure and powerful clarity, along with visual stability and a positive, likeable vehicle personality. The lines and powerful surfaces on the ID. Cross Concept are pure and clear. They shape an SUV that is a trend setter not a trend follower and one that transfers the brand’s identity into the future.”

Make of that what you will, but you’ll have noticed the funky lights front and rear, the ‘Urban Jungle’ green paint, the concept-spec 21in wheels and the three dashes on the C-pillar that mimic the look of the ID.Buzz. Quite funky, really. The interior looks rather nice too with its ‘Vanilla Chai‘ (erm, it’s beige) fabric surfaces and fold-down seats. Check out that steering wheel and dash with actual buttons, too. The screens are 11in for the dial display and 13in for the infotainment screen, while the boot is 450 litres.

At 4.1m long and 1.8m wide, the ID. Cross Concept is similar in size to the current T-Cross. It’s based on an updated version of the current MEB platform (simply called MEB+) with new software, and it gets a front-mounted electric motor with 208bhp and a projected range of 261 miles.

“The near-production concept car of the ID. Cross demonstrates that we are now truly delivering – with a new design, many technologies only seen in higher classes previously, improved operability and quality – and, at last, again the 'right' name. With this new Volkswagen generation, we are now delivering on our promises,” said VW boss
Thomas Schäfer.

Surely the ‘right’ name would be the ID. T-Cross to continue VW’s T-based SUV naming system?