Volkswagen ID BUGGY concept revealed: 2019 Geneva Motor Show

VOLKSWAGEN has revived and modernised the dune buggy, with the curtains dropping on its electric ID BUGGY concept.

Revealed at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, the emissions-free concept buggy is powered by an electric- drive motor capable of generating 150kW. The motor, plonked in the rear, is fed electricity by a lithium ion rechargeable battery that lives in the vehicle’s floor.

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The design of the buggy allows for an additional electric motor in the front axle, which VW says will give the buggy “all-wheel drive with an electric propshaft”.

Based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – a platform developed specifically for electric vehicles that VW says will be the key to the “electric car for all” – the open-air buggy’s composite body is made using a combination of aluminium, steel and plastic, which can be detached from the MEB chassis.

“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,” Ralf Brandstätter, COO of the Volkswagen brand, explained.

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Those who lived through Woodstock may see a resemblance between the ID BUGGY and the Californian beach buggies of the 60s that closely mirrored the iconic Beetle. The two-seater – it can be converted into a 2+2 seater – also features waterproof interior materials … obviously.

The 89th Geneva International Motor Show will run from March 7-17.