All the fun, with none of the emissions.
German mass carmaker Volkswagen appears to be looking at a possible hotted-up ID electric car, that would most likely come out of its R skunkworks. While the idea’s been around for a while, Volkswagen’s taking of the outright record at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb with the ID R Pikes Peak has spurred on intent within the company’s performance division.
According to Joss Capito, the big-boss at Volkswagen R, the main issue with an R-badged all-electric model is the balancing act between outrageous performance and day-to-day usability. While one would argue that existing internal-combustion cars also have to teeter the line, the issue is bigger with electric vehicles, given that going all-out on the track might leave you stranded for an hour or two as you recharge your ride before heading home.
“If we (Volkswagen R) do an R electric car, then it will be a proper R, or else it wouldn’t make sense.” — Jost Capito, Managing Director, Volkswagen R GmbH
Volkswagen’s R cars have enjoyed quite a following for a number of years, with the Volkswagen Golf R and Scirocco R both well on their way to being accorded future cult status. It’s important for Volkswagen to further the value of the R brand, and so an all-electric R is more than just a flight of fancy.
When asked by Autocar about which ID electric car that the R division might be looking at retooling, Capito said:
“[Which model] depends on how we define performance vehicles. You need the space for motors and batteries, and the battery technology. It’s more complex in the past than with performance engines.” — Jost Capito, Managing Director, Volkswagen R GmbH
It’s most likely that R will consider the ID Crozz SUV or the ID hatch; The former has a twin-motor layout that could easily be up-tuned to offer better punch, whereas the latter would perhaps represent the next step for fans of the Golf R. But knowing with certainty which ID car will get the R treatment first is something that we will perhaps glean in the near future, so stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you updates as they come.
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