Volkswagen ID Xtreme: off road ID 4 concept revealed

Volkswagen has revealed the ID Xtreme, an off-road focused version of its electric ID4 GTX SUV, to gauge public opinion for a more adventurous line of ID cars. 

The exterior design of the ID Xtreme has elements like bull bars up front, chunky off-road tyres and a roof-mounted LED light bar, which shows the ID Xtreme's off road focus, compared to the road-biased ID4 GTX.

Volkswagen ID Xtreme: more power, repurposed battery pack

In addition to the off road-specific enhancements, the ID Xtreme also gets 88hp more – 475hp compared to the GTX's 387hp – thanks to an uprated rear motor and software revisions. The higher power figure is likely to reduce the ID Xtreme’s range too, but by how much is not known.

The ID Xtreme also uses a second hand battery pack as the concept is based on an old ID 4 test car (rather than converting a brand new example) to reduce the carbon footprint. It features an aluminium undertray to completely , and is situated below the cabin in the MEB platform.

Volkswagen ID Xtreme: equipped with noise maker

The concept is also equipped with a noise maker that has been fitted into the wheel housings to give the ID Xtreme some acoustic presence. It is not clear how it works, but a similar device was tested on Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon’s Hyundai Kona EV, which produces a sound somewhat similar to the V10-era F1 cars. 

The technology can be used in upcoming EV cars to enhance pedestrian safety, as it uses ‘engine’ sounds.

Volkswagen ID Xtreme: to gauge public interest

Silke Bagschik, head of the MEB product line, said that with the ID Xtreme, the carmaker is raising its electric mobility to a new performance level. 

Bagschik also hinted that the carmaker plans to gauge public reaction for more off-road focused Volkswagen EVs. The ID Xtreme has been displayed at the ID Treffen show in Locarno, Switzerland – a gathering of fans of the ID line-up, supported by Volkswagen. 

The carmaker will judge the public reaction to the concept before greenlighting a production version.

Volkswagen ID 4 India bound 

Volkswagen has begun testing the ID4 on Indian roads, and the carmaker’s first EV for India is expected to be launched next year via the CBU route. Volkswagen aims to use the ID4 as a testbed to evaluate the electric ecosystem, and its own external and internal operations to make a viable business case for electric vehicles. Additionally, the carmaker is also looking to bring other global models like the Touareg SUV to the Indian market as full imports.