Volkswagen has unveiled a new concept car that showcases the potential of its electric vehicles. The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept is a modified version of the Volkswagen ID.7 that boasts a whopping 550 horsepower and a range of over 300 miles. The concept car was presented at the 2023 I.D.Treffen, a gathering of V.W. electric vehicle enthusiasts in Locarno, Switzerland.
What is the Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept?
The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept is a one-off show car that was created by V.W. engineers to demonstrate the capabilities of the MEB platform, which underpins most of the automaker's electric vehicles. The concept car is based on the Volkswagen ID.7, which is slated to launch in the U.S. next year as V.W.'s first mass-market electric hatchback.
The ID.X Performance Concept features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that delivers a peak output of 550 horsepower, making it more powerful than the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which has 450 horsepower. The concept car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.
The concept car also has a larger battery than the standard ID.7, with a capacity of 86 kWh. This gives it a range of over 300 miles on a single charge, according to V.W. The battery can be recharged at rates of up to 200 kW, enabling fast charging times using a D.C. fast charger.
What are the other features of the Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept?
The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept is not just about power and speed. It also has some unique features that enhance its performance and handling. For instance, the concept car has a differential lock on the rear axle that helps distribute torque to the rear wheels during high-speed cornering. The torque vectoring is controlled by V.W.'s Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which has various modes that the driver can select using the infotainment screen.
The concept car also has a lowered suspension with stiffened springs and increased toe angle, which improves its stability and agility. The concept car rides on 20-inch wheels with racing slick tires, which provide more grip and traction. The aerodynamics of the concept car were also tweaked for increased downforce, achieved by a front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear wing.
The exterior of the concept car is painted in a striking green color that contrasts with the black roof and accents. The interior of the concept car is mostly black, with green stitching and piping on the seats and steering wheel. The concept car also has some sporty details, such as carbon fiber trim, aluminum pedals, and digital gauges.
Will the Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept go into production?
The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept is not intended to be a production model but rather a showcase of what is possible with electric vehicles. However, V.W. has hinted that some elements of the concept car could make their way into future models.
"It was clear to us that we wanted to base our new show car on the Volkswagen ID.7 and that we would focus on enhancing the performance," Andreas Reckewerth, VW's head of technology for the MEB platform, said in a statement. "In this way, we can show what is possible."
V.W. has already unveiled another performance-oriented concept car based on the ID.3 hatchback, which is not sold in the U.S. The Volkswagen ID.GTI concept has 328 horsepower and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. V.W. has also been spotted testing an all-wheel-drive version of the Volkswagen ID.3 with potentially more than 300 horsepower.
Perhaps V.W. has something similar planned for the ID.7, which could compete with Tesla and other electric rivals in the U.S. market. The standard Volkswagen ID.7 is expected to have a starting price of around $30,000 and offer up to 250 miles of range. It will be available in two body styles: a five-door hatchback and a seven-seat crossover.
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The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Concept shows that V.W. is serious about electric vehicles and that it can deliver performance as well as efficiency and practicality. The concept car also demonstrates that electric vehicles can be fun and exciting to drive, appealing to enthusiasts as well as mainstream consumers.
Volkswagen has not announced when it will reveal more details about its future electric models, but it seems likely that we will see more innovations from the German automaker in the coming years.
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