You're looking at Volkswagen's idea of an all-electric supersaloon - it's called the ID.X Performance, and it was shown off to a load of the brand's ID. fans at a show in Switzerland this month.
Carbon used for key exterior components
Based on the ID.7, the key facets of the ID.X Performance are lots of power, all-wheel drive, suspension tuned for handling and enjoyment, and an 'expressive appearance'. On the latter score, all of the front splitter, rear diffuser and towering boot spoiler are made of carbon, while in the arches reside 20-inch centre-lock alloy wheels fitted with competition tyres. The final touch outside is a set of tinted taillight clusters, while inside are carbon bucket seats and plenty of red accents.
In order to give the ID.X Performance the correct sporty stance, Volkswagen's engineers have dropped the thing fully 60mm on stiffer springs all round, while the toe angle has been increased by 80mm - these changes are said to make the ID.X's handling all the more agile.
Power, and lots of it
For all-wheel drive these days, you don't need a physical propshaft linking the two axles on a given vehicle - because, if it's an electric car, all you need to do is ensure you've got a motor on each axle. This is what Volkswagen has done with the ID.X Performance, adding a front unit to go with the standard-fit rear item and then making sure that acceleration won't be an issue by giving the car 411kW from both motors - that's a whopping 559hp. The car also has a short-term 'boost' capability, while the drive torque is controlled by a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM). This system also oversees the rear-axle diff lock in the ID.X, and the driver can control it via the huge 17-inch screen sitting in the centre of the dashboard.
Beyond these details, Volkswagen says the ID.X has a battery which can charge at up to 200kW DC, although it won't specify the size or theoretical range of the car. This is because it is adamant it won't be going into production, although - given its ID.7 basis - the vehicle in the pictures looks pretty much ready to be green-lit.
Nonetheless, it was shown off at the ID. Treffen event in Locarno, on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore. The meeting is organised by ID. customers who are members of the ID. Drivers' Club, and in 2023, there was a new attendance record for ID. Treffen as more than 130 vehicles showed up to the meet.
'Sporty performance with elegant lines'
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."
Andreas Reckewerth, head of technology office MEB, said: "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."