Volkswagen is launching the electric Golf R.

Volkswagen unveiled its battery-powered Golf eR1 last weekend at the GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria.

This zero-emission hot hatch is strictly a concept for now, but in VW's own words, it is "an ambassador for performance vehicles of the future."

Unfortunately, VW did not reveal specs, but judging by the concept car's performance on ice, it probably has an all-wheel drive system. This also makes sense given that it is based on the Golf R as opposed to the front-wheel drive Golf GTI. All VW will say about the powertrain is that it was developed using lessons learned from the record-breaking ID R Time Attack Special.

The GTI may be VW's unmistakable hot hatch icon, but for the past two decades VW has been pushing the hot hatch formula beyond the limits of its practical and frugal roots. The result? The R.

The R is the pinnacle of VW performance and sporty styling, and concepts like the Golf eR1 and ID R are a way to prepare performance enthusiasts for the next evolution: zero emissions.

Volkswagen is preparing GTI and R versions of the redesigned eighth-generation Golf, which will be powered by internal combustion engines. VW's first performance-oriented EV that will actually be sold to the public is expected to be based on the ID 4 crossover SUV, which will be launched later this year. However, this model is expected to be closer to the GTI than to the R