VW launches its all-electric buggy

VW is launching its all-electric dune buggy, the ID. BUGGY at the Geneva Motor Show today – the latest in a series of electric concepts based on its upcoming MEB platform.

It’s the latest in a series of ‘I.D.’ concept vehicles utilizing VW’s new platform.

There’s the I.D., a Golf-sized vehicle, which is expected to be their first mass-market EV for the model year 2020. VW also unveiled the I.D. VIZZION sedan, the crossover all-electric I.D. CROZZ Concept, and then there’s the I.D. BUZZ electric microbus, which we’ve learned is going to be produced in Hanover in 2022.

While VW has been planning to release production versions for each of those concepts over the next few years, it sounds like it might not be the case for the new ID. BUGGY.

Ralf Brandstätter, COO of the Volkswagen brand, says that it is more about demonstrating the flexibility of the MEB:

“The ID. BUGGY demonstrates the broad spectrum of emission-free mobility that can be achieved with the MEB within the Volkswagen brand. But we want to open up the platform for third-party suppliers.”

Here’s a look a the MEB platform in the ID. BUGGY electric buggy:

While it doesn’t look like it is meant for production, it’s actually inspired by the once popular buggy version of the Beetle, which was put into production decades ago.

Volkswagen released some images of the new ID. BUGGY electric buggy:

Volkswagen described the vehicle in a press release:

“The clear design language expresses the unique experience when driving the buggy. To be able to feel the wind, a fixed roof and doors were deliberately dispensed with. This is why the resilient and minimalist design of the interior is characterised by waterproof materials. The concept car is a pure 2-seater; however, the ID. BUGGY can also be converted to a 2+2-seater.”

They didn’t release a lot of specs other than saying that it is equipped with a “lithium ion rechargeable battery” that powers a “150 kW/204 PS electric drive motor in the rear.”

VW suggests that it could also get “an additional electric motor in the front axle” in order to get a true all-wheel drive buggy.

Electrek’s Take

Bummer that VW didn’t announce any plan to bring this to production.

With the I.D. concepts, it seems like VW is walking away from the annoying trend of EV concepts that never make it to production as they were announcing upcoming versions of all those vehicles.

I’d like to see the same happen with the ID. Buggy.

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.