VW E-Bugster Concept
Electric Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept breaks cover in Detroit, previews Beetle Cabriolet and two-seater speedster
An electric, two-seater concept based on the new VW Beetle has broken cover at Detroit Motor Show. The E-Bugster is a chopped-down speedster that’s lower and wider than the standard Beetle. And although it has a fixed hard- top, it previews the new Beetle Cabriolet, due in November.
A video played at the beginning of the press conference confirmed that fact, when it flashed up a profile shot of the concept with its hard top removed.
Video: watch our video of the E-Bugster at Detroit
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We spoke with engineering boss and VW Group board member Dr Ulrich Hackenberg who told us: "With this car we are preparing customers for the new Beetle Cabriolet. The sporty looks and electric powertrain are to make it eye-catching and exciting. It’s a trailer for the future of the Beetle."
Read our full interview with Dr Hackenberg here >>
Klaus Bischoff, head of design for VW went one step further. He told us: "A two-seater speedster would be a great way of expanding the Beetle range. There's space in the line-up for it, so why not. MINI is creating a whole family of cars based on an icon from the past, we need to keep developing our icon, too."
A steeply raked and shortened windscreen makes the E-Bugster 90mm lower than the standard Beetle. Blistered wheelarches mean it’s 30mm wider, although it’s exactly the same length.
In a nod towards VW’s e-up! electric car, C-shaped LED running lights frame the reshaped front bumper and are mimicked by reflectors at the rear. Watch out for these details in the future, VW intends to make them a signiture for its all electric models. Filling the arches are 20-inch Twister alloys.
The electric powertrain uses the same components as the Golf Blue-e-motion, on sale in 2013, but in a different configuration. While the Golf slots its batteries neatly beneath the floorpan, to maximise interior space, the E-Bugster houses the 80kg electric module under the bonnet, which produces 116bhp. Topping up the batteries from empty takes 35 minutes from a fast-charging station, or seven hours from a standard socket.
As for the electric powertrain, the official word is that for now VW doesn’t plan to bring an electric Beetle Blue-e-motion to dealers – the focus is on the e-up! and Golf Blue-e-motion, which go on sale from late 2013 in that order.
