Volkswagen is reportedly considering a higher-riding, all-wheel drive version of its upcoming ID.2 urban electric vehicle (EV) which could spawn a high-performance variant to replace the Golf R.
Autocar reports this EV will be dubbed the ID.2 X and could be very similar to the German company’s current Alltrack models. It reportedly has yet to be green-lit for production.
As recently reported, the ID.2 will be the first Volkswagen based on the new MEB Plus platform and will reportedly carry the Golf name.
In regular guise it will reportedly be offered in a single-motor, front-wheel drive configuration, but the MEB Plus platform also supports dual-motor, all-wheel drive models.
ID. Life concept
With all-wheel drive power reportedly on the cards, Autocar speculates a high-performance version of the revised ID.2 is a possibility. It won’t be the only electric hot hatch, with Abarth revealing its 500e, and Alpine planning a sportier version of the upcoming Renault 5.
Volkswagen’s R performance division recently told Autocar it will be all-electric by 2030.
The British publication quoted Volkswagen saying there are “several electric R models in the planning stages”.
“We’re currently assessing various concepts and possibilities but will only offer R models that meet our requirements. One thing is certain: the future of R is electric,” the brand told Autocar.
Golf R
If an all-wheel drive, R-badged version of the revised ID.2 comes to fruition it would likely be more performance-oriented than the standard and potential GTI versions.
As recently reported, Volkswagen has reportedly redesigned its ID.2 from scratch and rechristened it Golf ahead of a concept reveal in March.
The total redesign of the ID.2 reportedly comes after a negative internal response to the ID. Life concept unveiled in 2020, which was a crossover of sorts.
The revised ID.2 will reportedly slot underneath the ID.3 and sit halfway between the Volkswagen Polo and Golf in terms of exterior size, with a length of around 4250mm.
Cupra UrbanRebel concept
The revised model will reportedly receive a more conventional hatchback shape with “the sort of interior space of models typically one segment higher” and will weigh between 1600kg and 1700kg.
The new model from Volkswagen will be produced alongside the production version of the Cupra UrbanRebel at SEAT’s Martorell factory near Barcelona. A counterpart from Skoda is also planned.
The German carmaker has set a goal of having 70 per cent of its sales in Europe to come from EVs by 2030 and, when released, the entry-level ID.2 will be a crucial part of this plan.
Locally, Volkswagen Australia plans for EVs to account for more sales than its internal-combustion range as soon as 2028.
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