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.