Volkswagen recently
admitted that the company’s new ID.3 all-electric hatchback will be sold as a
high-performance ‘R’ variant and if the car looks anything like this, we think
it could prove to be a success. Designer Kleber Silva is behind these
renderings. They take the ID.3 which has a relatively conservative design and
spruce things up a bit to make the hatch fitting of an ‘R’ badge.
The differences are
particularly striking at the front. Gone is the simple small grille on the front
of the ID.3 and in its place sits a sharp and more complex grille with
triangular shapes and fake cooling ducts for the brakes. A small ‘R’ logo is
also present. Newly-designed wheels immediately catch the eye and combine
attractive styling with efficient aerodynamics to aid in the car’s range.
Changes at the rear
aren’t overly significant but do include a distinctive rear diffuser, a
triangular F1-inspired rain light, and triangular reflectors on the outer edges
of the bumper. The current VW Golf R is one of the finest hot hatches on the
market and achieves its impressive performance without looking over-the-top
like the current Honda Civic Type R. The VW ID.3 R presented follows a similar
design philosophy and is free of any crazy wings that could make it stand out a
little too much.
According to
Volkswagen, the ID.3 R will launch within five years. It will include all-wheel
drive and some kind of performance-focused electric motor. Will it lead to the
demise of the Golf R? Only time will tell.