New VW Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan & Passat coming, Polo future unclear

Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer has outlined what the future holds for its current model line-up, as the automaker transitions into a battery-electric only era.

Speaking with Automotive News Europe this week, Schäfer confirmed an all-new Tiguan medium SUV and Passat wagon will debut later this year – but the future of the venerable Polo city car remains uncertain for now.

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2024 Volkswagen Tiguan rendering via Theottle

Will there be another VW Polo?

Schäfer reinforced the uncertain outlook for the iconic Volkswagen Polo city car amid Euro 7 emissions regulations that make producing budget-friendly cars expensive due to costs to hybridise and cut emissions on older power plants. Compact volume-selling cars have always had tiny margins, so the business case for a new Polo is shrinking.

The strict mandate is set to be enforced in mid-2025 and the German automaker has already pushed for a delay of slightly more than a year.

But, the Volkswagen boss wouldn’t rule out whether the anticipated ID.2 EV is the replacement for the Polo.

“I wouldn't categorically say no, but at the moment it's not the preferred choice,” Schäfer said.

“The question is: What will the Polo cost after Euro 7 takes effect? We don't know yet.”

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2023 Volkswagen Polo Style

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Volkswagen ID.2 speculative rendering, inspired by the ID.2all concept

New Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Passat coming

This year, Volkswagen is also set to introduce the next-generation Tiguan medium SUV – which is rumoured to have a full EV version – and all-new Passat wagon.

The successor to the T-Roc small SUV will follow, along with a “major product upgrade” facelift for the current Mk8 Golf small car.

“Combustion engines continue to play an important role. This is how we earn the money that we need for the transformation,” Schäfer told Automotive News Europe.

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Volkswagen T-Roc R Grid

“Combustion engines continue to play an important role. This is how we earn the money that we need for the transformation."

“From today's perspective, we will carry these vehicles well into the 2030s. That will give us a good line-up.

“As we phase out combustion engines in Europe in 2033, it no longer makes sense to launch vehicles with completely new combustion engines.”

The next-generation Volkswagen T-Roc crossover, due to debut in 2025, has been confirmed as the last model with a newly-developed combustion engine in Europe, while other engines will continue to only receive updates.

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2023 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI

Mk9 Golf confirmed as EV-only

The rumoured next-gen electric Golf will only be based on the new unified Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) – which will ‘probably’ debut in early 2028 on its Project Trinity flagship EV.

“It's clear that we won't give up iconic names such as the Golf, Tiguan and GTI, instead we will transfer them into the electric era,” Schäfer said.

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Volkswagen Golf GTE

Wondering what sets an electric Golf apart from the ID.3? Mostly styling and dynamics, it seems.

“Especially with the Golf, the future model has to have the correct DNA. Simply naming another vehicle that way won't happen. We don't make the mistake," Schäfer said.

“That's why we're only launching the electric Golf when it really has Golf genes. That will include a flatter roof compared with the ID.3.”

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