The Volkswagen Group is exploring the possibility of adding electric sports cars to its lineup, with the Porsche Boxster and Cayman EVs in the pipeline. Audi’s Concept C is also set for a 2027 launch, but VW’s mainstream brand is not currently planning a dedicated sports car. However, as a design exercise, VW asked Italdesign to create a sketch of a 2+2 coupe on the MEB+ platform.
The EVX Project, as it is called, is a concept that imagines a coupe on a platform primarily designed for front-wheel-drive vehicles. Measuring 166.5 inches long and 71.6 inches wide, the EVX is slightly smaller than the three-door Range Rover Evoque, with a height of 58.6 inches. The design gives off a hint of the Toyota C-HR at the rear, but overall it presents a decent, if somewhat generic, effort.
While there has been no official word on the powertrain of the EVX, the platform it is based on supports a front-mounted motor with 223 horsepower, similar to the electric Polo GTI. A sports car positioned below the Boxster/Cayman and Concept C would be appealing, but the niche market for a sports car without a combustion engine may limit its viability.
This isn’t the first time VW has teased an electric sports car concept that never materialized. In the past, design sketches of a 2017 MEB-based coupe inspired by the 1970s SP2 were revealed but never progressed beyond the drawing board. The company has a history of creating performance cars like the W12 Nardo, XL Sport, and BlueSport, which were kept in-house.
It remains to be seen whether VW will venture into producing a sports car without an engine, especially considering its current focus on SUVs, hatchbacks, and wagons. If Porsche and Audi’s electric performance models succeed, there may be a possibility of an entry-level sports car from VW in the future. However, the skepticism remains about the market appeal of a sports car without a traditional engine.
The EVX concept is currently being showcased as a hologram at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, highlighting Italdesign’s role within the VW Group. However, reports suggest that Audi is considering selling off the design and engineering firm.
In conclusion, while it’s refreshing to see VW exploring unconventional ideas like a coupe, the focus remains on practical and marketable vehicle segments. A VW-badged sports car may become a reality in the future, but for now, the company is staying true to its core offerings. The EVX concept serves as a creative exercise and a glimpse into what the future of electric sports cars could look like.
