As part of its strategy towards full electrification, the division “R” ofvolkswagenwill become the sub-brand of high-performance electric models in the next decademore specifically from 2030. As with the current Golf R, T-Roc R, Tiguan R, Touareg R and Arteon R, the future of this division lies in creating more refined and energetic versions of the main models of the German firm.
Volkswagen has already revealed GTX versions faster than the ID.4 and ID.5, but since they have the same spirit as the internal combustion GTI models, there is still room for the R versions to sit above these. As with the company’s current range of performance models, these will be developed on the track, with Volkswagen drawing on its record-breaking ID.R race car to design the new models. By 2030, the R range will be fully electric.
That could include an “R” badged version of the ID.3. At last year’s Munich Motor Show, the brand’s former CEO, Ralf Brandstatterconfirmed to self-express that an ID.3 GTX is in development, but could lead to a more powerful version as a fully electric equivalent of the current Golf R. The MEB platform underpinning Volkswagen’s electric offering now offers up to 300bhp in the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX, but the R variants are likely looking to squeeze more out.
Volkswagen will use engineering learnings from the ID.R project to facilitate this, while upcoming offerings will be heavily digitized. Speaking of the electric future for R-signature models, Volkswagen R boss, reinhold ivenz, said: “In order to become a 100% electric brand by the end of this decade, we are already taking the necessary steps today for the next transformation. Volkswagen R products will represent sustainable electric mobility in the future”, adds the manager.
The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer also confirmed that it has “several electric R models in the planning stages”. However, he hasn’t provided a timeline for when we might see the first electric Volkswagen R model. The firm is considering “several concepts and possibilities” at the moment, which makes it seem like we could be waiting a few years before the launch of the first R model powered by a zero emission engine. And the competition seems fierce.
Source: Coach
