Currently reading: Volkswagen R to be electric-only performance brand by 2030

Range will be “gradually” converted to a pure-electric line-up with unnamed concepts already in the pipeline

Volkswagen’s R performance sub-brand will go fully electric by 2030, it has confirmed, with several EVs already in the pipeline as it looks to “gradually” convert its current range to an EV-only one.

The sub-brand has aligned itself with Volkswagen’s wider Way to Zero pledge, with the wider brand targeting a full-electric line-up five years after R in 2035 – when sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be outlawed across Europe.

Volkswagen said it's “gradually converting its portfolio, with several electric R models in the planning stages”, adding: “We're currently assessing various concepts and possibilities but will only offer R models that meet our requirements. One thing is certain: the future of R is electric.”

This means current electric-only ID models could be the first in line to get hot variants, with an ID 4 R previously hinted at by R&D chief Thomas Ulbrich last year. Any future all-electric models would likely also be in line for R treatment, such as a production version of the ID Aero and Project Trinity.

Electric variants of the current R range such as the VW Golf RVW Tiguan R and VW T-Roc R would likely only come if the models get electric replacements in the future. 

19 Volkswagen golf r 2021 rt cornering 1

Volkswagen added that any electric R models will, like their ICE-powered predecessors, get technology trickled down from prototype concepts, such as from the super-fast 671bhp ID R, which has held the Pikes Peak record since 2018. The electric R models will also continue to be developed on track.

“In order to become a fully electric brand by the end of the decade, we're already taking the necessary steps today for the forthcoming transformation,” confirmed R head ​​Reinhold Ivenz.

“The globally successful products from Volkswagen R are part of this exciting change process and will stand in [the] future for sustainable electric mobility.”

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Future R models would therefore adopt the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming electric-only Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which will be the only EV chassis used across the group from 2026, albeit with performance-oriented tweaks.

However, this effectively shuts the door on any models getting an electric R variant while they’re still sold primarily as ICE cars, given the huge costs it would mean for cars on different platforms to be built.

Elsewhere, Volkswagen confirmed that the new-look R sub-brand will also focus on “quick and convenient” charging for its EVs, which given the future models’ range-topping position would mean peak charging rates of more than the ID 5 GTX’s 150kW – which charges it from 10-80% in around 25 minutes – will likely be seen.

R EV owners will also get access to “exclusive charging options”. These are expected to come in the form of either exclusive charger access or subsidised prices.

No timeframe has been put on the launch of any electric R cars, but with many still in the planning stages, releases in the second half of the decade currently seem the most likely. 

Will Rimell

Will Rimell
Title: News editor

Will is Autocar's news editor.​ His focus is on setting Autocar's news agenda, interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand's B2B platform – and Haymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.

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martin_66 26 October 2022

Strange article.  I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure EVERY Volkswagen will be electric by 2030, otherwise they won't sell any cars in the UK.

Andrew1 26 October 2022
If you didn't notice, there's quite a lot more of the world than the UK.
Boris9119 25 October 2022

Having recent experience with both a Taycan turbo and a base 992 Carrera, I can say wholeheartedly if I had to wave goodbye to one it would be the Taycan. The Golf GTi and the Golf R will, as this article states, be replaced by some VW R brand EV, and that's fine, that's progress. But I will always be more interested, and more willing to part money with an ICE R!

Peter Cavellini 25 October 2022

 Not how fast, not how far, its, how fast does it charge?