Summary
- The Volkswagen ID. XTREME is an electrifying all-wheel drive concept vehicle that combines the rugged capabilities of an off-roader with the strengths of a modern SUV, showcasing the potential of Volkswagen's electric drive matrix.
- The ID. XTREME features 3D-printed wheel housing extensions and aluminum underbody cladding for stability and safety on any terrain. Its spacious interior is comfortable and sustainable, with a repurposed test vehicle and battery.
- While the ID. XTREME isn't yet available on the market, it is a highly anticipated concept that represents Volkswagen's ambitions in the EV off-roading industry. Volkswagen plans to invest heavily in EV development and aims to dethrone Tesla as the leading EV manufacturer.
Get ready to experience a new dimension of electric mobility with the Volkswagen ID. XTREME—an electrifying all-wheel drive concept vehicle based on the ID.4 GTX. It blends the rugged capabilities of an off-roader with the strengths of a modern SUV, the ID. XTREME showcases the remarkable potential of Volkswagen's modular electric drive matrix (MEB). With a 77 kWh second-life battery and a modified drive system, the ID. XTREME achieves a system power of 382 horsepower, 87 ponies more than the standard GTX: an impressive 30 percent increase.
Designed with extreme versatility in mind, the ID. XTREME features 3D-printed wheel housing extensions, and robust aluminum underbody cladding, ensuring stability and safety on any terrain. An eye-catching outdoor roof rack with an additional LED light strip illuminates the way during challenging off-road adventures. Inside the ID. XTREME, you'll find a spacious, comfortable cabin with elegant yet robust grey microfiber fabric upholstery accented with striking orange detailing. The concept vehicle's sustainable development approach leverages Volkswagen's MEB platform, repurposing a retired test vehicle and its battery to create an extraordinary, environmentally conscious electric off-roader. Although this vehicle isn't out (yet), we're hoping to see it hit markets in the next few years.
Volkswagen's ID. XTREME Is Set To Change The EV Off-Roading Industry
One of the more exciting announcements Volkswagen has made recently is its creation of the ID. XTREME EV. With this new vehicle concept, customers of the German automaker would be able to purchase one of the first off-roading electric cars, all with the high-tech touches Volkswagen is known for. According to the brand, this car concept would combine the qualities of a robust off-roader with the strengths of a modern SUV—the ID. XTREME would boast a performance increase of around 30 percent compared to the gene donor ID.4 GTX. That means better battery life, faster charge times, and a more powerful internal system.
Because this off-roader is based heavily on the ID.4 GTX, you might notice some similar features. However, the brand considers this a step up, with impressive electric power and a chassis with off-road capability. Most current and future Volkswagen vehicles won't have off-roading ability, making this one a standout in their potential future lineup. Yes, as of 2023, it remains a pipe dream for many, but that's not to say the ID. XTREME won't ever come to light. It's also worth mentioning this vehicle concept was carefully designed and created by Volkswagen's Engineering department in the team led by Andreas Reckewerth. These incredibly gifted people continue to up the ante for Volkswagen and could get this car into the hands of consumers by the end of the decade.
Why The ID. XTREME Isn't Out (Yet)
- We first heard about the ID. XTREME in 2022.
- There have been few further details released about this concept vehicle as of 2023/2024.
Considering the ID. XTREME only came to the public in September 2022 at the second International ID. Treffen in Locarno, there hasn't been much noise from the company since. However, it's not uncommon to see concept projects years before they go into production and mass manufacturing, sent out to people around the world: so don't lose hope. Because of the unique nature of this vehicle, we'd assume Volkswagen continues to test it for off-roading performance, battery life and charge times, and overall safety/durability. This would pioneer the genre since most EVs aren't meant to go off-roading.
One major issue with this idea is that due to battery life in many electric cars being dismal, people wouldn't have more than 250–300 miles of adventuring before needing a full charge. However, with the ID. XTREME concept, Volkswagen hopes to increase the miles per charge and the time you spend with your vehicle attached to an outlet. If plans continue, this off-road vehicle would be accompanied by a 77 kWh battery, enhancing an already robust driving experience.
The ID.XTREME Comes With Plenty Of Bells And Whistles
Now that we at least know of this concept's existence, some of the neat features that should come with the ID are worth mentioning. XTREME:
Here are some notable details we'll share with you from Volkswagen's press release:
- 18-inch off-road wheels.
- Additional front bumper with a modified crash bar.
- Fifty mm-wider wings, giving it a rugged off-road look.
- Added LED lights on the roof.
- Fully electric AWD system.
These are just a few of the many upgrades VW drivers might expect to see with the release of this off-roading EV. Generally, when we think of Volkswagen products, they feel safe, while this one takes a bit of an edgier appearance and drive. In today's world, automakers are constantly trying to be the next "big" thing, throwing themselves in all directions with the ID. XTREME's concept art/mockups this doesn't feel out of bounds for the German carmaker.
One of the standout specs from Volkswagen's press release mentioned that this concept vehicle would also boast a performance drive on the rear axle, and software adjustments to the control unit give the ID. XTREME has impressive off-road capabilities. One of the things with current electric SUVs is that they're more street and short-distance oriented, which this concept essentially hopes to prove wrong. All it takes is one major brand to set a trend for the rest to follow.
On top of the ID. XTREME being fully capable of off-road driving, this vehicle also hosts countless features we haven't seen from Volkswagen. The fully-electric AWD system would be a significant shift for the brand, moving from street-centered design to something much more rugged.
Volkswagen Has Big EV Goals For The Coming Years
- In the next five years, Volkswagen will invest nearly $193 billion into EV development.
- The Volkswagen Group has its eyes on dethroning Tesla in total sales.
One more recent announcement from Volkswagen is that it plans to invest massively in its EV sector, creating new cars throughout its brand and umbrella of others. The Volkswagen Group is much larger than just VW cars, hosting Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Ducati, Jetta, Lamborghini, Porsche, Scout, SEAT, Škoda, and more, meaning when one goes green: they all do. That could spell good news regarding the ID. XTREME, especially with the company claiming to invest €180 billion (around $193 billion) in its electric car lineup/market over the next five years.
That said, we're curious as to what brands get the most of that money and which EVs will make it to the production line and which will not. We'd guess the luxury sector will have priority, followed by Volkswagen and the other more affordable brands. What VW could do in this situation is get the ID. XTREME on the market, opening their company up to the off-roading community. Until now, there have been sparse options for people wanting AWD in their electric cars, with many resorting to gas-powered ones.
It's also been widely reported that Volkswagen has made the ambitious goal of dethroning Tesla as the number one EV manufacturer in the market, which would certainly be impressive to witness. Furthermore, the Volkswagen Group says its new MEB platform could form the basis for 70 models and projects its sales of electric cars will reach 22 million vehicles by 2028.