During 2017, while Volkswagen navigated the complexities of the Dieselgate scandal by introducing a series of ID. concept vehicles, a clandestine design project was simultaneously unfolding within its studios. These previously undisclosed design sketches unveil a captivating vision for an electric sports car, meticulously crafted around the versatile MEB platform. Štěpán Řehák, the company's spokesperson for Design & Concept Cars, recently brought these striking illustrations to light via LinkedIn. Conceived by Tibor Juhasz, this high-performance electric vehicle was intended to be a contemporary tribute to Volkswagen’s own SP2 sports coupe from the 1970s, rather than Ferrari’s acclaimed Monza SP2 supercar.
The original SP2, developed and manufactured in Brazil, utilized the Type 3 chassis to manage production costs and featured a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Its envisioned successor, though never brought to fruition, would have dramatically departed from this heritage, swapping the air-cooled engine and four-speed manual transmission for an electric motor, likely positioned at the rear, consistent with other MEB-based vehicles. Tibor Juhasz articulated his design philosophy for this modern SP2 in a LinkedIn post from 2017, emphasizing a balance between embracing electric innovation and preserving the timeless characteristics that define the brand. His goal was to advance the brand without abandoning its core identity, infusing the design with emotion, energy, and foresight to create something that continues to resonate with enthusiasts today. However, this sleek, low-slung coupe with its pronounced wheel arches regrettably remained a concept, as Volkswagen opted to prioritize high-volume electric vehicles such as the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7, sidelining this niche, performance-oriented model.
While the European market anticipates a ban on new combustion engine vehicles, the emergence of this spiritual SP2 successor ignites a spark of hope for a future dedicated performance model from Volkswagen. Although the company has committed to migrating its iconic GTI and R badges to the electric era, a standalone sports car, embodying the spirit of this two-door concept, would undoubtedly generate even greater excitement. Such a vehicle might not achieve the sales figures of a hatchback or a crossover, but its potential to revitalize Volkswagen’s brand image, especially after years of challenges, is immense. With Audi already moving towards its "TT Moment 2.0," perhaps the time is ripe for Volkswagen, its mainstream counterpart, to unveil its own thrilling electric sports car vision, signaling a renewed commitment to performance and design innovation.