What's all this about?

This is the Volkswagen ID.X Performance, the German company's idea of what a high-performance electric supersaloon might look like. Based on the ID.7 and apparently not scheduled for production - although we have our doubts about that - it was shown to a group of ID. enthusiasts at the ID. Treffen show on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore.

OK, what are the key details?

The engineering team, led by Andreas Reckewerth - Volkswagen's head of technology office MEB (that's the platform used for electric vehicles in the Volkswagen Group) - took one ID.7 and then bolted lots of carbon-fibre bits to it, like the front splitter, the rear diffuser and that spoiler perching menacingly on the bootlid. A set of 20-inch alloys with centre locks and competition tyres were also bolted onto the car, while the rear light units were tinted. Inside, some bucket seats - again, made out of carbon - and red details were added. Controlling everything is a 17-inch screen, dominating the dash.

Right, but what about the 'Performance' bit?

An added motor was fitted to the front axle to make this high-performance ID.X all-wheel drive. The entire car was dropped 60mm on tough springs and the toe angle was adjusted to 80mm. And then Volkswagen tuned the whole lot up to 411kW, which is a healthy 559hp. This is achieved through a short-term 'boost' function, while the Vehicle Dynamics Manager oversees all the chassis hardware, which includes a limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

Sounds good - any stats on acceleration and charging times?

Sadly, nothing concrete, although Volkswagen will at least admit the high-voltage battery onboard has a maximum charging rate of 200kW DC, which is pretty pacey.

And this is definitely not going into production?

Well, we wouldn't absolutely count on that fact. The car shown at ID. Treffen looks remarkably 'showroom ready', so perhaps the ID.7 is about to get a hot flagship model. Whether it will have nigh-on 560hp and a set of centre-locks remains to be seen, but an ID.7 GTX? With 400-500hp? It's not out of the question.

Any more hints from the relevant talking heads?

Not really; they're all playing it pretty coy. Maria Soni Reissfelder, head of marketing and sales for Volkswagen ID., said: "Presenting the ID.X Performance in front of ID. enthusiasts from across Europe gives us the chance to meet members of the ID. Drivers' Club in person. Andreas Reckewerth and his team of engineers have maximised the potential of the MEB in this vehicle, combining sporty performance with the elegant lines of a limousine."
And, for his part, Reckewerth added: "The MEB offers many fantastic possibilities for approaching vehicle development with a great deal of creativity. It was clear to us that we wanted to base our new show car on the ID.7 and that we would focus on enhancing the performance. In this way we can show what is possible."

Matt Robinson - 11 Sep 2023