Volkswagen soon to reveal high-performance electric R model

MANILA: A high-performance Volkswagen electric R model, based on the forthcoming ID range, may be on its way if the car can live up to the badge. According to news sources, Jost Capito, Volkswagen’s R division chief stated that if they do an R electric car, then it will be a proper R, or else it wouldn’t make sense.

On when the ID R might arrive, he declared that they do have an idea, based on what’s persisting on the racing and production side, but, currently they haven’t defined a fixed date yet. As the development in the EV technology is growing so quickly that every month there are new changes to be made. At some point, they will know what they exactly want, define it and then go for it.

Finding the right agreement between the performance of a motorsport car, the battery life and usability of a conventional car is the main challenge of producing an all-electric R model. Capito added that striking that kind of balance will help decide which road-going ID model will be first to get that R treatment.

He further explained that in order to identify that model they have to define performance vehicles first. The need of space for motors as well as batteries, and the evolving battery technology makes it more complex than working with performance engines. It is difficult to determine which ID models are most likely to receive the R touch, but according to rumours floating around it might be the ID hatch or ID Crozz SUV.

Recently, Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak all-electric racer, had set the all-time record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. With Romain Dumas behind the wheel, it clockled a time of seven minutes 57.148 seconds. The previous record set by Sébastien Loeb in the Peugeot T16 Pikes Peak, was shattered by this feat by a whopping 16 seconds.

This truly amazing ID R race car featured two electric motors that provide a total power output of 680 PS and 650 Nm of torque. The car shockingly weighs less than 1,100 kg, and can go from zero to 100 kmph in 2.25 seconds, which is way quicker than what Formula 1 car can manage. Powering these powerful motors are special lithium-ion batteries that are engineered for maximum power density and to deliver the highest possible power output.

Hence undoubtedly, a complete electric Volkswagen R seems possible. The lingering questions that arise are, when will it materialise, which ID car will be the chosen one, and beyond that, will people be keen enough to buy one? So what are your thoughts on the same? We would love to hear it, write them in the comments section below.