Volkswagen has unveiled the latest addition to its ID. stable of electric cars, revealing the ID. Buggy at the 2019 Geneva motor show.
The ID. Buggy is still only a concept for now but displays the versatility of its MEB platform – the scalable electric car tech that will underpin all of Volkswagen’s next generation of electric vehicles (EVs).
Clearly recreating the spirit of the classic dune buggies of 1960s California – that were based on the VW Beetle and its versatile, rear-engined chassis – the ID. Buggy offers an open body that does without roof or doors, as well as chunky off-road tyres and wide wheel arches.
In keeping with the original models, the ID. Buggy is rear-wheel drive thanks to a rear-mounted, 204hp electric motor.
Top speed will be just shy of 100mph and 0-62mph will be despatched in around seven seconds. Volkswagen also claims a range of around 155 miles from the 62kWh battery.
Versatile chassis
The Buggy’s minimalist bodywork – painted in two-tone green and grey on the show model – includes a minimalist and weatherproof interior, but Volkswagen claims the real appeal is its modularity.
As the chassis is self-contained, the bodywork can be removed altogether, opening up possibilities of other companies providing their own models on the same platform. Volkswagen has already stated it wants to make its MEB tech available for other manufacturers to use.
No production date for the ID. Buggy has been announced so far – Volkswagen is likely to wait until more mainstream ID. models have proven successful before it invests in cars such as this.
