Munich Motor Show: Future Volkswagen hybrids for Mercosur confirmed, along with the electric T-Cross

At the Munich Motor Show , Volkswagen confirmed two things: the new direction of its electric car strategy and the fact that the base models of some models sold in the Old Continent will be brought to Mercosur.

The German brand, which has just confirmed the arrival of the Golf GTI in Argentina, unveiled its next new models for the European market, based on compact and affordable models.

Furthermore, it corrected a poor naming strategy, which had assigned numbers to identify models when they had very powerful names like Golf, Polo, or T-Cross . Thus, the ID.2 will be called the ID. Polo, and the ID.3 will likely be the ID. Golf. The ID. T-Cross will be launched with that name, and the smallest of all could be called the ID. Up.

But the German exhibition also brought Mercosur approval for the use of a new platform for hybrid vehicles that has just been launched in Europe.

Clarín was able to confirm that it is the MQB Evo , on which the T-Roc model is built in the Old Continent, and which represents the transition towards electric vehicles.

Last year, Volkswagen announced an investment of more than $2.9 billion to develop, among other things, a hybrid technology platform in Brazil. But until now, there were few details about the scope of electrification in the region.

The confirmation, accompanied by some additional information, was given by Thomas Schafer, VW's global CEO, who confirmed that the "MQB Evo platform will arrive in Brazil. It is from this base that the majority of the brand's vehicles will be produced in the country."

The German executive explained that "it's the platform we use globally and represents the transition to electric vehicles, as the rest of the world is doing." It's the basis used to manufacture models like the Taos, Golf, Vento, and Tiguan, meaning it's the most modern platform for combustion models used by the German brand.

The new base will enable electrification, from mild hybrids to conventional or even plug-in hybrids.

"Anything is possible with this platform. Most of our new vehicles will be based on it , from the T-Roc onward. And it will be available in South America," Schafer told Brazilian outlet Autoesporte , which was later confirmed by Clarín through spokespersons for the brand's subsidiary in the neighboring country.

Brazilian media reports expect the first models manufactured there to feature some degree of electrification to be the T-Cross and the Nivus, with launches scheduled for 2027 and 2028, respectively. It's worth noting that these models are coming to Argentina from the Brazilian industry.

But while he didn't confirm names or provide details of the projects, Schafer confirmed that there will be significant conceptual differences between the future Brazilian-made Volkswagens and the European T-Roc.

According to the CEO, "In Brazil, consumers prefer cars with a slightly different shape. We can expect something exciting for South America, not exactly the T-Roc we see here, but another car that I think will excite them a lot. So we can expect it to be based on this design, this platform, and this engine."

The engine he is referring to is a 1.5-liter turbo with power ranges between 136 and 170 horsepower .

Meanwhile, the brand's strong new offerings for Europe are marked by the electric models intended to be popular, which the brand presented at the Munich Motor Show.

On the one hand, there's a wide range of small and compact cars, which will be available at affordable prices, and on the other, the ratification of a change in the nomenclature for these vehicles.

The most notable innovation was the ID.Cross, a prototype that previews what the 100% electric T-Cross designed for the Old Continent will look like .

With a classic SUV style, this prototype has aesthetic nods to iconic models such as the Golf or the new generation of the Combi, which is now fully electric. It measures 4,161 mm long, 1,839 mm wide, 1,588 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,601 mm.

It has an electric motor that delivers 211 horsepower, and its battery pack is estimated to provide a certified range of 420 kilometers . It will go on sale in the European summer of 2026.

Before that, the ID. Polo family, the German brand's compact model, will be launched. It will feature a conventional version and a sporty one, bearing the magical GTI acronym. Both models were shown in Munich, but with colorful camouflage. The range will start at 25,000 euros.

And the one that will complete VW's low-end electric car lineup will be the smallest and cheapest, and for now is known only by its prototype name, the ID.Every1. Its launch is scheduled for 2027 and will have a starting price of €20,000 in Europe.