VW patent images preview future EV sports car

New patent images of a sleek Volkswagen coupé have surfaced online, offering the first glimpse of a potential future production model to come from the carmaker’s electric brand.

Published on the Intellectual Property Organization website, the patent images show a low-slung model which looks like a two-door coupé with active aerodynamic features, including an extendable rear fin. The above view also shows that it features gull-wing hinges for its doors, and the design’s lengthy shape suggests it has been crafted with minimal air resistance in mind.

The lack of a glass windscreen on the pictured design also hints that this could be an autonomous model developed to demonstrate driverless technology. However, it seems highly unlikely that this windscreen-free design would make it to production.

Our sister publication Autocar UK had earlier revealed that Volkswagen will be expanding its international EV range to include all-electric models including an SUV, MPV, luxury saloon and sportscar in the near future. While the ID concept previewed the MPV, these patent images look to preview the sports car that will sit above the production ID model.

All of the models will be built on Volkswagen's scalable EV platform with shared components such as motors, axles and suspension included.

No technical details have been revealed along with the latest images, but it is known that the ID concept uses a 170hp electric motor. In the sports car model, more power could be produced with a dual motor setup, which is used in electric models like the most potent Tesla Model S.

No launch date has been set for the second EV Volkswagen model, but 2025 has been mooted - five years after the ID production car lands in international markets.