Cast from the Same Form

A day at the Autostadt, a Polo from the past, a GTI from the future – and racing driver Benjamin Leuchter. In Wolfsburg, you can see how Volkswagen’s design has evolved over the decades – while always remaining instantly recognizable.

At VW, design is never left to chance – it is thought, cast in form, always centered around people.

The Polo was unveiled on March 13, 1975, at the Geneva Motor Show. Production began shortly thereafter, and the first cars hit the road in May.

In 2025, the Polo turns 50 – and what a journey it’s been. From the start, it was compact, cleanly designed and focused on the essentials. A car that didn’t need to stand out – it simply needed to fit. Fit the roads, fit our lives, fit the times. In 1998, the Polo GTI added a sporty new dimension to the model. Red accents and a sharper design language contributed to its identity, but the character remained the same: a practical vehicle, now with a dose of dynamic flair.

The ID. GTI Concept picks up right where that idea left off – fully electric, but unmistakably GTI. The slim air intake, the red stripe, the continuous light strip featuring the VW logo – these familiar design elements are back, newly reimagined. The proportions feel strong without being aggressive. It’s a car that doesn’t need to make a scene to make an impression.

Wolfsburg itself embodies this mindset. The city feels well-ordered, functional and open. Its architecture and cityscape reflect the same attitude as the cars made there – clarity, everyday usability, identity.

What has shaped Volkswagen since the first Polo is just as visible in the ID. GTI Concept. The models may change, but the core stays the same: a design that never had to get louder to be convincing.