At a Glance
- Volkswagen reintroduces physical buttons in new ID. Polo interior
- First EV to feature a non-circular steering wheel
- Design chief vows no more button mistakes
- Why it matters: Drivers will see more tactile controls and a new steering shape, signaling VW’s shift away from touch-only interfaces
Volkswagen unveiled new interior photos of its upcoming budget EV, the ID. Polo, that include a return of physical buttons and a non-circular steering wheel. The move signals a broader strategy to bring tactile controls back into its cars.
New Button Plan
The company says the ID. Polo will be the first model to showcase its new button strategy, which will be applied across future models. Design chief Andreas Mindt explained that VW will never again remove essential controls. He said:
Andreas Mindt stated:
> “We will never, ever make this mistake any more. On the steering wheel, we will have physical buttons. No guessing any more. There’s feedback, it’s real, and people love this. Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone: it’s a car.”
- Volume control
- Heating left and right
- Fans
- Hazard light
Interior Architecture
Board member for technical development Kai Grünitz described the new interior architecture in a press release. He said the ID. Polo will feature an intuitive operating environment with physical buttons and newly structured screens. The release also notes that separate buttons for climate functions and hazard lights will be integrated into a strip below the infotainment screen.
Steering Wheel Design
Photos also show a steering wheel that is not circular. Volkswagen has been moving away from round wheels, and the new shape looks more like a flattened volleyball. The company says the new wheel offers better safety and usability.
Key Takeaways
- Volkswagen is reintroducing physical buttons across its future models.
- The ID. Polo features a non-circular steering wheel, a first for the brand.
- The new interior design signals a shift away from touch-only interfaces.
The ID. Polo interior demonstrates VW’s commitment to reintroducing tactile controls and a redesigned steering wheel, potentially reshaping the EV user experience.
