I feel like there are a lot of people that would see that 99 mph top speed not as a limiting factor, but as a challenge.
After all, how many people can say they've reached their car's top speed?
Photography Courtesy Volkswagen
Looking for a hot hatch that runs on E–electricity, that is? How about one for less than 25,000 euros (approximately $26,460 USD)? Well, the Volkswagen ID. 2all concept in Europe purports to be just that.
If it looks like about the size of a Volkswagen Golf, you’re right. That’s what the company was going for. But, what about its performance?
Well, being that the ID. 2all is still just a concept, details remain scant. However, Volkswagen revealed it’s a front-wheel-drive, all-electric car with a range of 450 km (280 miles) and a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph), which, by U.S. standards, is a bit underwhelming.
Here’s a quick comparison:
This isn’t the first time Volkswagen came out with an electric Golf. Its first was a concept built back in the 1970s that was based on a Golf Mk1. More recently, Volkswagen offered the e-Golf. The ID.3, currently sold overseas, is perhaps the closest to an American-market Golf.
Earlier this month, Volkswagen debuted the new, second-generation ID.3 that, like the ID .2all, has a maximum speed of only 99 mph.
The new Volkswagen ID.3.
The company plans to have 10 new electric models by 2026 for the European market. Volkswagen also noted it “is also working on an electric car at a price of less than 20,000 euros [$21,160 USD] …. The company is aiming to achieve an electric car share of 80% in Europe.”
A Volkswagen representative said the company did not intend to introduce the ID. 2all for the U.S. market, but based on “a lot of good feedback, we might have new discussions about it.”
What are your thoughts? Hot or not?
I feel like there are a lot of people that would see that 99 mph top speed not as a limiting factor, but as a challenge.
After all, how many people can say they've reached their car's top speed?
and it won't be coming to the U.S. because....reasons
calteg said:and it won't be coming to the U.S. because....reasons
*SIGH*
It's almost as good and as affordable as a Bolt, released in 2017.
I don't get it. I like it, but I don't get how it isn't better.
Colin Wood said:After all, how many people can say they've reached their car's top speed?
Price is good, range is fine, and I don't think the 99mph top speed would bother me for a fun daily car. The 99mph wouldn't stop me from having fun at autocross or smaller tracks.
The disappointing thing is that the 0-60 is so much slower than the GTI. I thought acceleration would be the strength of the EV platform. I've been waiting for an affordable "hot hatch" style EV but I don't think this is it unfortunately.
calteg said:and it won't be coming to the U.S. because....reasons
It doesn't meet US emissions laws. 
It isn't coming to the U.S. because it actually has a specially tuned diesel engine in the glove box that literally kills 50 trees and a family of squirrels for each hour it runs.
On a serious note, for a street driven car, I don't know why on earth a 99 mph top speed should be an issue.
I own all manner of cars that can far exceed that, but in my day to day I doubt I exceed 80 let alone 99.
I do agree with the above though about the acceleration. I would expect a car of this ilk to be hitting 60 in 5 seconds or less. That is a letdown.
tuna55 said:It's almost as good and as affordable as a Bolt, released in 2017.
I don't get it. I like it, but I don't get how it isn't better.
If every car had to be distinctly different from every other one, there would be far fewer cars on the market :) Think of all those interchangeable CUVs with 2.0 turbo four cylinders! That range number puts it closer to a 2020 Bolt (which started shipping around 2022 thanks to the little battery problem) than a 2017.
It may have faster charging capability, that would be a value add over a Bolt for some use cases.
I can understand why VW wouldn't be bringing it to The Land That Ignores Small Hatchbacks, but I'd love to see these on the road. That "less than 7 seconds" 0-60 time is on par with a Bolt and faster than a RWD Ioniq 5.
Realistically, how often do you 'need' a car to accelerate quicker 7 seconds to 60? It hasnt been too many years ago that was considered to be a pretty quick car. 99 mph top speed just means the cops wont have to chase you as far to give you a ticket. :)
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