Volkswagen considering an all-electric R model

With the electric Volkswagen ID hatch, ID Buzz people mover, and ID Crozz crossover all approved for production, the Wolfburg-based firm is thinking of adding some excitement to the battery-powered range.

"We have an idea [for an electric R], based on what’s going on on the racing and production side, but we haven’t defined a date yet," Jost Capito, head of Volkswagen's R division, told Autocar.

He noted nailing down the specifics of the production all-electric R model is difficult because of how rapidly electric vehicle technology is evolving.

It's also not clear which one of the upcoming range of ID models will be the first to host an R variant.

Capito said the packaging issues were "more complex ... than with performance engines" as space needed to be found for motors, batteries, and battery technology.

While the ID hatch, due to launch globally in 2020, is the most obvious candidate for an R variant, Capito also held out the chance it might be a different body style as it "depends on how we define performance vehicles".

The ID Crozz crossover may not fit the R archetype, but the base vehicle will feature a dual motor setup and, probably, more space to fit larger batteries.

Regardless of Volkswagen's choice, the first electric R model will try to bask in the reflected glow of ID R Pikes Peak, which recently smashed the overall record for the Pikes Peak hill climb course.

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