Last year wasn’t an easy one for the Volkswagen Group, as was the case for many automakers. The company saw its operating profit drop 53 percent compared to 2024, due largely to factors like tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, costs tied to adjustments in Porsche’s product strategy, and more. With 2025 now in the rearview mirror, the German giant is looking to rebound in 2026—starting with product. More than 20 new or updated models are expected across the Group’s brands, and the spotlight will be on small cars, a segment that has long been strategically important in Europe. Here’s what’s coming. Small Cars, But Mighty 2026 Volkswagen ID. Polo Prototype Let’s start with the new family of small models expected in 2026. Several Volkswagen Group brands have products on the way, including the Volkswagen moniker itself. The company is preparing to unveil the ID. Polo—an electric counterpart to the gas-powered Polo. The electric Polo has had a complicated development story. It was first previewed in 2021 with the ID. Life concept, but it was later reworked after receiving a lukewarm response. The original design was considered too unconventional, so the new version will take a more conservative approach, with familiar styling and a recognizable name. The car will be built on the MEB+ platform designed for B-segment vehicles and configured for front-wheel drive (the standard MEB architecture is rear-wheel drive). Volkswagen also plans to introduce the ID. Cross, a small crossover roughly the size of the T-Cross. A similar strategy will be used by Skoda with the Epiq, which will become the Czech brand’s smallest EV. Meanwhile, the Cupra Raval is expected to be a traditional compact car measuring about 13.0 feet (around 4 meters) in length. Cupra Raval Skoda Epiz Volkswagen ID. Polo Volkswagen ID. Cross Of Course: Even More SUVs Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Rendering by Motor1 It’s no surprise that SUVs remain at the center of the market, and Volkswagen Group is readying a long list of updates in this segment. The most important is already on sale: the new Volkswagen T-Roc, the next generation of the compact SUV that will, for the first time, offer a full-hybrid powertrain. Another major launch from Wolfsburg will be the next ID.4. The model is expected to change its name—becoming the ID. Tiguan—and receive a comprehensive redesign in both styling and technology. 2027 Audi Q9 Rendering The SUV lineup will expand further with the Skoda Peaq, a fully electric three-row SUV due later in the year, along with the new Audi Q7 and Q9. The Q9 will effectively take over as the brand’s flagship from the A8, which is expected to be discontinued. Audi is also preparing a mid-cycle refresh for the Q4. Meanwhile, Seat’s Arona will receive a facelift; it's already been revealed and will go on sale starting at €22,500. For Porsche, 2026 will bring the new electric Cayenne, with a maximum output of 1,156 horsepower. Audi Q4 Audi Q7 Audi Q9 Porsche Cayenne EV Seat Arona Skoda Peaq Volkswagen T-Roc Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Everything Else 2026 Audi A2 E-Tron Rendering by Motor1 The Volkswagen Group’s 2026 pipeline includes several additional models. One of them is the new Audi A2—an electric reinterpretation of the early-2000s model, built on the Group’s MEB platform. Staying with Audi, the RS5 has just been unveiled, and attention now turns to the next RS6. The performance wagon is expected to retain a V8 engine while adding a plug-in hybrid system to push output even higher. 2026 Audi RS5 Avant 2027 Audi RS6 Avant Rendering by Motor1 On the Volkswagen side, 2026 will also bring a hybrid version of the Golf using the same full-hybrid powertrain as the T-Roc, along with a refreshed ID.3. Beyond the Cayenne, Porsche could finally unveil the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman in 2026, after reports of their cancellation were denied. Bentley’s next SUV will also be fully electric—previously teased with an early image—while Lamborghini is said to be preparing the Urus SE Performante. Audi A2 Audi RS5 Audi RS6 Bentley Urban SUV Lamborghini Urus SE Performante Porsche 718 EV Volkswagen ID.3 Volkswagen Golf We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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