Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Xcite apprentice car unveiled

Volkswagen’s latest apprentice car combines an all-electric powertrain with the striking looks and mind-blowing sound system of a show car that would be right at home in a Need for Speed ​​video game.

This car, named Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Xcite, is the eighth show car built by Volkswagen trainees in Germany.

Volkswagen Australia has produced a number of similar one-off apprentice cars, with recent examples including a track-ready Arteon Art Car, as well as a stripped-down Amarok V6 Time Attack Ute.

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14 trainees in the second and third year of their apprenticeship were part of this year’s ID.5 GTX Xcite project, which lasted one year.

The show car is based on a standard Volkswagen ID.5 GTX powered by a twin-engine all-wheel drive that generates a total system output of 220 kW and 310 Nm.

On the outside there is a widebody kit with widened door sills and adapted front and rear fenders.

There are also 22-inch forged aluminum wheels that are powder coated black and have an aerodynamic design.

The ID.5 GTX Xcite is finished in a gold-green paint color that combines a range of matte and gloss paints from the Volkswagen and Lamborghini ranges.

Inside there is Alcantara and vegan leather throughout, the cockpit, steering wheel, door panels and headliner have been upgraded.

The seats, steering wheel and dashboard are accented with orange stitching, with the front seat headrests sporting an embroidered project logo.

The ID.5 GTX Xcite features a stunning sound system developed by the team using equipment from Gladen, Musway and Bang & Olufsen.

The sound system consists of 10 amplifiers and a subwoofer and has a total output of 2000 watts.

In the trunk of the show car is a Teamgee H5 electric skateboard, which Volkswagen describes as the “perfect companion” for last-mile transport.

As recently reported, the regular Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs could finally land in Australia before the end of 2023 if the company’s local division has its way.

“Globally, Volkswagen is balancing supply and demand, however, ramping up electrification is clearly our goal in line with the pursuit of the all-electric ID.4 and ID.5 – in fact, we are working to advance their SOP [start of production] for Australia by the second half of next year,” said a spokesman for Volkswagen Australia.

There have been a number of setbacks for Volkswagen Australia, which initially planned to launch its first ID. EV models in 2022, then 2023, and then sometime during 2023 or 2024.

The ID.4 and ID.5 are emerging as VW’s best candidates to launch its electric assault in Australia, serving as electric alternatives to the similarly sized Tiguan.

Michal Szaniecki, Volkswagen Australia’s director of passenger vehicles, recently told CarExpert that new electric models like the ID.4 and ID.5 will offer lineups that are “much simpler” than existing nameplates.

“Each model will be much simpler than today’s portfolio,” said Mr. Szaniecki. “That’s totally fine, that’s appreciated by our customers because the selection is much more intuitive, much easier and much faster.”

“Economically, it is also justified because [customers] don’t get lost in a plethora of possibilities.”

MORE: Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 EVs for Australia in 2023MORE: Volkswagen ID. Electrical products are said to have “simpler” product ranges in Australia