Volkswagen ID.3 R to arrive in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: According to the reports flowing around, Volkswagen is planning to introduce a high-performance model of the recently added ID.3 electric hatchback. Called the ID.3 R, the hatch is due for a 2024 debut and will run on an all-wheel-drive system. It will feature at least two-performance oriented electric motor that is said to deliver better acceleration than the VW Golf GTI.

Frank Welsch, VW R&D head, said that it was on his priority list to optimize the ID.3 as the car ages. He said, “We should have the same as cars such as the Golf, the GTI and R. People like performance and I’m sure people will love performance in ID cars too.

The situation is different – even in the normal ID, we have a good performance right from the very beginning, you just touch the pedal, and you feel the punch. From 0-60 kmph is like the GTI. No GTI is faster than the ID.3. At the upper end, of course, GTI is better.” Welsch also said the ID.3 R would need performance electric motors and all-wheel-drive, however, it won’t be called the ID.3 GTI. “Let’s see whether it’s R or something else.”

Jurgen Stackmann, VW sales head chimed in and said that ‘If there is a future for R it must be electric, it’s very simple. It won’t be next year, because we need to define what R is in the electric world.’ Until that happens, VW will channel its electrification efforts, especially in the performance area. It will develop the Touareg R with a plug-in hybrid engine.

Stackman added that clearly the word R signifies high power combustion powerplant, and that will now move to higher output developing plug-in hybrid systems and then the company will move to R electric. He said VW needs to get firm on its electric vision.

He went on saying, if one looks at electric and high performance, it’s actually a significant compromise, and there’s a penalty with a small range. The German automaker needs to deliver something meaningful within five years. However, it takes a team of developers, and it’s a turf without expertise at the moment.

To recap, the VW ID.3 is the company’s first EV and was available in three variants at the time of launch - ID.3, ID.3 Plus, and ID.3 Max. All of the trims get a rear axle-mounted electric motor that develops a maximum power of 204 PS and 310 Nm of peak torque. The top speed is rated at 160 kmph.

Also read: Volkswagen Beetle to go all-electric with an e-Up mill