Volkswagen reveals ID. Buggy all-electric concept

Volkswagen has taken the covers off its latest electric concept – the ID. Buggy.

Inspired with the VW Beetle-based dune buggies from the 1960s, the ID. Buggy is built on Volkswagen Group’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – which in this instance can be sold separately so people can make their own activity vehicles.

In this concept form, the ID. Buggy comes with no roof or doors and the body is made out of a mixture aluminium, steel and plastic – with space for two people in the cabin. There is scope to make the Buggy with a 2+2 layout.

All the materials used in the cabin are waterproof, so drivers can take it to the beach or off the beaten track without worrying about keeping the interior dry.

The Buggy is fitted with an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, developing 201bhp, and is powered by the lithium ion battery that is mounted in the chassis – although Volkswagen has said there is potential to add a further motor on the front axle for four-wheel drive.

Volkswagen chief operating officer Ralf Brandstätter said: “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.”

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The idea of supplying the chassis alone is based on Volkswagen doing the same thing back in the 60s with the original buggy. It was designed on the same chassis as the Beetle and small manufacturers would buy the platform and then build their own vehicle on top – with the vehicles powered by a four-cylinder boxer engine.

The ID. Buggy joins the all-electric family, which also includes the original ID. hatchback, the Buzz van, the SUV Crozz and the Vizzion autonomous saloon – all of which are set to go into production and be built on the MEB platform.