Volkswagen is preparing a performance variant of its upcoming ID.2 electric vehicle (EV), potentially named the ID.2 R, according to a new leak that outlines ambitious specifications and engineering upgrades for the automaker’s next-generation compact EV lineup.
The ID.2 R is expected to debut as a high-performance all-wheel-drive (AWD) model, offering as much as 400 brake horsepower (bhp), a significant step up from the previously rumored 286bhp front-wheel-drive ID.2 GTI variant.
Both models are based on Volkswagen’s forthcoming MEB Plus platform, which is set to underpin the ID.2 series targeting the sub-$35,000 market starting in 2026.
According to the leak, the ID.2 R would be the first vehicle on the platform to feature individual motors bound directly to each rear wheel, an unconventional layout aimed at enhancing performance and practicality. This design could reduce weight, preserve trunk space, and enable advanced drive capabilities.
The ID.2 R is also reported to support high-end performance features such as dynamic drive control, predictive torque distribution, and brake-based yaw control, typically reserved for upper-tier performance EVs. However, the launch is not expected before 2027, after the introduction of the model’s so-called “X” sibling.
Volkswagen has not confirmed the ID.2 R’s development, but the leak suggests the brand is aiming to revive its R Division in the EV era, blending affordability with enthusiast-grade driving dynamics.
Source: AutoCar
