√Volkswagen ID. Xtreme electric off-roader concept revealed

The electric concept – based on the ID.4 family SUV – has showcased Volkswagen’s ability to make an off-roading model powered by batteries.

The Volkswagen ID. Xtreme concept has been revealed, previewing the German car giant’s capability to build an eelectric off-roader – even if it has no known plans to do so.

Unveiled at Volkswagen’s ‘ID. Treffen’ electric-car owner event in Switzerland, the ID. Xtreme is a more off-road-focused version of the company’s ID.4 GTX mid-size SUV.

The Volkswagen ID. Xtreme receives roughly 30 per cent more power than to the production ID.4 GTX – courtesy of a more potent rear motor and new software – with up to 285kW on tap.

If it’s road legal – which its licence plates suggest is the case – the concept would be Volkswagen’s most powerful electric road car, though the 600kW-plus ID.R race car is its most powerful electric vehicle ever.

More noticeable changes have been applied to the Volkswagen ID. Xtreme’s exterior, with the all-wheel-drive concept adopting raised suspension, rally-inspired 18-inch wheels, a modified front bumper with a nudge bar and 3D-printed wheel arch flares – extending its width by 50mm.

In addition to the LED light strip integrated between the standard Volkswagen ID.4’s headlights, the ID. Xtreme has been equipped with a roof-mounted light bar.

According to Volkswagen, the ID. Xtreme’s underbody is closed off with aluminium panels, providing an extra layer of protection for its 82kWh battery pack.

Volkswagen also claims it has developed a set of sound generators which are fitted within the ID. Xtreme’s wheel housings, emitting a unique driving noise.

The German car giant is yet to reveal the concept’s interior, however Volkswagen says the cabin features a combination of suede-like Alcantara and orange-accented upholstery.

While the ID. Xtreme won’t make it to production here or overseas – at least not in its current form – Volkswagen has previously announced its plans to introduce its range of ID. electric cars to Australia from the end of 2023.

As reported by Drive, limited supply and high demand for the cars in Europe has delayed the Australian debuts of the ID.3 hatchback, and ID.4 and ID.5 mid-size SUVs, which VW Australia attributes to a lack of local emissions targets for manufacturers to meet, or risk financial penalties.

Late last month, a Volkswagen ID.4 SUV was photographed in Sydney, arriving at the company’s local headquarters for training and public previews.

The post Volkswagen ID. Xtreme electric off-roader concept revealed appeared first on Drive.