Who would not like to take it for a spin to and on the beach?
Volkswagen I.D. Buggy is a neat little green dune buggy for two (with an option for 2+2 seats) unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
With only rear-wheel drive (there is an option for dual motor all-wheel drive taking advantage of the MEB platform) and not high ground clearance, it’s probably more for a beach of light terrain than serious off-road duty, but it should be excellent for recreation and fun.
The German manufacturer presents the I.D. Buggy not only because to gain some attention or maybe research interest in the introduction of such vehicle, but also to hint at the possibility of building a small-series of special EVs using the MEB platform, which will be available to 3rd parties.
The 150 kW electric motor provides reasonable acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds, which probably could be cut by a second or two withan additional front motor.
Volkswagen I.D. Buggy specs:
- 62 kWh battery
- up to 250 km (155 miles) of WLTP range
- 150 kW/204 PS and 309 Nm (228 lb-ft) of torque rear electric motor
- option of all-wheel drive with additional front motor
- 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds
- top speed electronically controlled at 160 km/h (99 mph)
- basedon on Volkswagen MEB platform
Press blast:
WORLD DEBUT OF THE ALL-ELECTRIC VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUGGY CONCEPT AT THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW
Mar 4, 2019
ID. BUGGY takes the idea of the legendary dune buggies into the age of electric mobility
- Concept car shows the versatility of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB)—the next step forward in zero-emissions mobility puts the fun in functional
- Next-gen design features no roof, no doors, and a body that seems to visually float above the chassis
- Weatherproof interior with two integrated seats and fully digital cockpit
- 62 kWh battery designed for short but active distances of 155 miles (WLTP)
- Opportunity for external manufacturers: BUGGY can be used by start-ups for a wide variety of custom vehicles
Wolfsburg/Geneva – March 4, 2019. Today Volkswagen introduced the next member of the ID. concept family at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show—the ID. BUGGY. Drawing inspiration from the classic Californian dune buggies of the 60s, the ID. BUGGY shows the versatility of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) and puts the fun in functional.
ID. BUGGY is at once futuristic and retro. The MEB chassis integrates a 62kWh lithium-ion battery into the floor and a 201-horsepower electric motor in the rear to give it an expected range of 155 miles on the WLTP cycle. The minimalistic design—no doors or roof on this two-seater—gives drivers the purest experience of classic beach cruising.
Like the dune buggies of the 60s, ID. BUGGY is extremely versatile. All buggies from the 60s featured a high degree of modular variability—based on the chassis of the legendary Beetle with a four-cylinder boxer engine running at the rear. Small-series manufacturers stretched a body made of fiberglass over the chassis and engine of the Beetle, thus writing automotive history. The same versatility is possible with ID. BUGGY—while the ID. BUGGY concept car is a pure 2-seater; it can also be converted to a 2+2-seater and an additional electric motor could be added to the front axle in order to make four-wheel drive possible. In addition, the BUGGY’s modular design allows for the composite upper body to be detached from the MEB chassis, opening up a world of possibilities for third-party manufacturers, as the original Meyers Manx kit did for the first buggies.
Exterior
Like the classic Beetle and Bus, ID. BUGGY has no need for a grille, and yet the summer cruiser is instantly recognizable as a Volkswagen. The prominently raised hood, fenders and tail end hint at the concept’s off-road chops, while three-dimensional oval LED headlights and taillights, an LED VW logo, and a body that seems to float above the chassis lend an air of approachability.
The floating effect is created by the use of two colors next to each other. The top half of the car—most notably the striking fenders and shoulders—is painted in matte Fern Green, while the bottom portion is painted in a textured Grey Tech Blue. The green part visually floats above the dark blue area.
ID. BUGGY is equipped properly for an all-terrain vehicle. It features standard 18-inch wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® off-road tires (255/55 at front and 285/60 at rear). A solid aluminum underbody guard ensures that the front axle and ancillaries are not damaged during off-road driving, and the aluminum side sill panel assumes the function of an additional underbody guard. Should another vehicle need a tow or should the BUGGY itself be incapacitated, two robust red steel eyelets are integrated in the bumpers.
The reinforced windscreen frame and the Targa bar, which is also open at the side, provides rollover support. There are no doors and no roof, but a black tarp can be stretched between the windscreen frame and the Targa bar as a sun shield or as light weather protection.
The open concept car is 160.0 in long, 74.4 in wide and 57.6 in high, featuring short front and rear overhangs (27.0 and 28.6 in respectively). The wheelbase is 104.3 in and ground clearance is 9.4 in.
Interior
The ID. BUGGY’s minimalist interior is characterized by easy handling and waterproof materials. All elements surrounding the exterior are a continuation of the body, painted in Fern Green, while the majority of the interior trim is finished in a robust Grey Tech Blue soft-touch paint. The driver and passenger sit on seats with headrests and belt guides integrated into the backrests, while the floor plate is outfitted with anti-slip knobs.
Despite the shortened wheelbase of the concept car, passengers have an unusually large amount of space. This is due to the ID. family’s compact electric drive and axles arranged further to the outside. This open space always provides room that is about one class above that of comparable cars with a conventional drivetrain.
The minimalistic cockpit has been designed to match the character and design of the ID. BUGGY. With the “Hey you” display in the cockpit, the concept car greets its driver and draws attention to the fact that it is ready for operation. A hexagonal steering wheel, covered with water-repellent Nappa leather, features touch controls in the crossbar, and a digital instrument cluster keeps the dash uncluttered.
Electric drive
The zero-emissions drivetrain of the ID. BUGGY is made up of the electric motor integrated in the rear axle, power electronics, a single-speed gearbox, the high-voltage flat battery (62 kWh) arranged in the car floor to save space, and the additional units integrated in the vehicle front end. The electric motor delivers 201 horsepower and maximum torque of 228 lb-ft from standstill. This means that the electric vehicle always provides enough power on the rear axle, even off-road. With full acceleration on paved slopes, the concept car sprints from zero to 62 mph in just 7.2 seconds. The maximum speed is electronically controlled at 99 mph.
As an alternative to the rear-wheel-drive layout, it is also possible to fit a second electric motor in the front axle of the ID. BUGGY. In this case, an “electric propshaft” would distribute the power of the 4Motion® four-wheel drive between the front and rear axles in fractions of a second.
Regardless of rear drive or four-wheel drive, power electronics control the high-voltage energy flow between the engine and battery. The power electronics convert direct current (DC) stored in the battery into alternating current (AC). The on-board electronics are supplied with 12V via a DC/DC converter. The position of the battery in the vehicle floor gives ID. BUGGY a lower center of gravity for better handling.
Technical data
Drive Electric motor, rear drive (optional all-wheel drive) Max. output electric motor 201 hp Max. torque electric motor 228 lb-ft Battery capacity 62 kWh Range (WLTP cycle) 155 miles Acceleration (0-62 mph) 7.2 s Top speed 99 mph (electronically limited) Length 160.0 in Width 74.4 in Height 57.6 in Wheelbase 104.3 in Front / rear overhang 27.0 / 28.6 in Ground clearance 9.4 in Front/rear axle track 62.5 / 62.9 in Wheels/tires VA 255/55 R18, HA 285/60 R18
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