In 2017, amidst the Dieselgate scandal, Volkswagen was busy unveiling a series of ID. concepts to divert attention from the emissions-cheating TDI cars. While the ID. showcar and the I.D. Crozz were grabbing headlines, a secret project was brewing in the design studio – a fully electric sports car.
Recently unearthed sketches by Tibor Juhasz, designed as a tribute to Volkswagen’s own SP2 sports coupe from the 1970s, showcase a thrilling take on the VW Group’s MEB platform. The original SP2, built in Brazil, featured a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The modern-day SP2 successor envisioned by Juhasz swapped the traditional engine for an electric motor, aligning with Volkswagen’s shift towards electric mobility.
While the SP2 wasn’t designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the ID. sports car drew inspiration from the iconic designer’s work. Juhasz’s vision for the modern SP2 aimed to blend classic values with futuristic progress, capturing the essence of Volkswagen’s heritage while embracing an electric future.
Unfortunately, the sports car project never made it past the conceptual stage as VW shifted focus to mass-market electric vehicles like the ID.3, ID.4, and others. Despite this, the idea of a dedicated performance model like the SP2 successor lingers as a beacon of hope for enthusiasts.
Volkswagen has a history of creating exciting concept cars that never see production, from the BlueSport roadster to the XL Sport with a Ducati engine. With the impending ban on combustion engine vehicles in Europe, the possibility of a standalone sports car in VW’s lineup becomes increasingly tantalizing.
A dedicated sports car could not only bolster VW’s brand image but also showcase the brand’s commitment to innovation and performance in the electric era. While models like the GTI and R badges are set to transition to electric powertrains, a unique sports car offering would add a new dimension to Volkswagen’s lineup.
