Volkswagen engineers are developing two hardcore variants of the upcoming ID.2 electric hatchback, according to Autocar. The project includes a 282bhp Clubsport GTI and a flagship 400bhp all-wheel drive ID.2 R.
The company already confirmed a 223bhp front-wheel drive ID.2 GTI for late 2026. But these new reports suggest VW’s performance team isn’t stopping there.
Clubsport Gets Mechanical Differential
The ID.2 GTI Clubsport represents the next step up from the standard GTI. It’ll pack 59 more horsepower and feature a fully mechanical limited-slip differential.
That LSD setup should sound familiar – Stellantis uses the same approach in the Abarth 600e Scorpioissima and Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce. The system splits torque between front wheels to pull the car through corners more aggressively.
VW’s also considering variable torque delivery and simulated gear changes. Hyundai pioneered the fake transmission experience in their Ioniq 5 N, and Kia recently added it to the EV6 GT.
Both GTI variants will use Volkswagen’s MEB Entry platform. They’re expected to get VW’s new-generation APP550 electric motor and the same 56kWh battery as the regular ID.2.
ID.2 R Targets 400bhp
The ID.2 R takes things much further with its tri-motor all-wheel drive system.
It’ll keep the front-mounted motor from the GTI but add two independently-controlled in-wheel motors at the rear. Those rear motors are being developed by a technical partner in the Balkans that specializes in lightweight, high-output in-wheel systems.
The setup promises predictive torque distribution, brake-based yaw control, and multiple drive modes. VW’s positioning it against cars like the upcoming Renault 5 Turbo 3E.
Given Rimac’s involvement with VW-owned Bugatti, the Croatian hypercar maker could be the mystery technical partner developing those in-wheel motors.
Neither the Clubsport nor ID.2 R have been confirmed for production yet.
The base ID.2 is expected to start around £22,000 when it launches in 2026. An ID.2X crossover variant scheduled for this year’s Munich motor show should carry a £25,000 price tag.
VW hasn’t revealed pricing for any GTI variants. But if these performance models make it to production, they’d give the German automaker serious weapons in the growing electric hot hatch segment.
The mechanical LSD alone would set the Clubsport apart from most electric performance cars that rely purely on electronic torque vectoring. And 400bhp from the R variant would put it in hypercar territory just a few years ago.
