Beach days have me like….
Get back to basics — and all things fun — with VW’s latest electric concept car — the ID Buggy, a vehicle that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face and turn its fair share of heads. There is no doubt that everyone will stop, stare and envy! Considered a vehicle of whimsy, the ID Buggy is all about adventure, the wind in your hair and good ol’ fashioned fun. Void of the familiar, including doors, trunk, roof and back seats, this concept car with its open air aura and draw to the sandy beaches features an intimate interior perfectly suited for two. It’s a day of adventure each time you get behind the wheel. See what getting back to basics is all about! (Go retro—we dare you!)
This all-electric vehicle, unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show, takes you back to the days of the classic dune buggy with a sand machine that has all the power you would need. At 228 lb.ft of torque from the 150 kW, 201-hp motor, the drive will be just enough to spin up some dirt on that next adventure.
With an interior that is both waterproof and roomy, the ID Buggy gives comfort while providing an experience that is unlike any other. Controls are minimalistic — on purpose — and foot pedals display familiar digital-media symbols representing their respective functions. For example, press “play” to go and “pause” to stop. This vehicle is also fully weather sealed so no need to worry when going splashing through the surf.
It shows without a doubt the “fun side” of VW’s electrification presence, taking the form of a battery-powered two-seater that channels the spirt of the original Beetle-based Manx sold between 1964 and 1971. Without a roof and doors, ID Buggy drivers are able to stretch a fabric top between the windshield frame and the roll bar to protect the passenger compartment from the sun or from the elements.
There are 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped by off-road tires that help the ID Buggy plow through sand dunes with ease. Aluminum skid plates ensure obstacles commonly encountered off-road, such as rocks, won’t cause any issue or high-voltage impact with the vehicle’s battery pack. This car is even able to be driven on the open road — legally. The neatest part of that is it is void of climate controls. The weather is your climate, no matter what the day holds!
The dash of the ID Buggy has a speedometer, the vehicle’s battery status and what gear you happen to be in at the time. This concept car takes you back to the basics, which is welcome by many motorists. It’s all focused on the joy of driving, something often lost amidst too many buttons and features.
The concept buggy is based on the platform used by the upcoming ID 3 vehicle. It has a 62kWh battery, a whopping 155 miles of range, 201 horsepower and can do zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds. Steering is smooth, despite its limitations, and offers a comfortable ride. This electric vehicle can be — and do — just about anything, one of the goals VW aimed to show in its creation. In fact, the plan is to gain traction with concepts such as this and customize the MEB Platform. These electric vehicle platforms, with the batteries and electric motor under the floor, enable manufacturers to attach a wide range of upper vehicle bodies to the base. To be able to build out a full line of cars, SUVs, and even trucks, the manufacturer can vary the platform length and, less often the width. More power can come by placing more batteries under the floor.
This concept car will not likely ever get to production, but instead is an example of the flexibility and versatility made clear in the brand’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform. Its overall concept is similar to the Meyers Manx dune buggy kit cars. It is a revival of the classic dune buggy but as an All-Electric Blast.
The VW Group is investing more than $50 billion in electric vehicles, including more than 70 new models in production by 2028. It is progressing ever faster toward a future of new zero-emissions electric-powered models under its recently created ID sub-brand.
The ID Buggy is surely drivable, although at low speeds, and attracts a hefty amount of attention. It is surely a successful update of the original Meyers Manx beach buggy, complete with friendly face, low-set bumper and round headlamps.
More on the look….
Similar to the original Meyers Manx, the unadorned body of the ID Buggy seems to float above the chassis in a way. The reinforced windscreen is freestanding, without any additional support by a quarter window. Thanks to a sturdy structure behind the cabin, rollover protection is a given.
The rear is similar in appearance to the front, and is complete with round tail-lamps and a bumper that mimics the shape of the front. Wheels are 18 inches all around and come with 225/55-profile front and 285/60 profile BF Goodrich All Terrain tires. Because of the generous side-wall profile, the ground clearance of the ID Buggy is increased to some 60 mm over the upcoming ID .3 hatchback.
Thanks to a fabric roof, there is protection from the elements, and it is designed to fasten to the windscreen header rail and tops integrated into the rollover structure.
The ID Buggy measures 4,063 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,463 mm in height. It rides on a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. Its power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor developing 150kW and 309 Nm. It provides drive exclusively to the rear wheels, with an electronic differential providing a torque-vectoring effect to provide for optimal traction.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle of the ID Buggy is getting into it. Suggestions are to sit on the high-mounted side structure and then swing your legs inside and just settle your backside on the driver’s seat. Durable materials abound inside, including waterproof upholstery for the seats, cast aluminum pedals and a largely flat plastic floor.The only point of luxury is a Bluetooth speaker positioned between the seats, which can be used to play music on your smartphone.
This off-road buggy is endearing and not only reflects the spirit of day’s gone by with the original Meyers Manx, it makes clear the outstanding variability of Volkswagen’s MEB platform in very real and very convincing ways. It’s about getting back to basics and all things fun! Embrace your day of adventure!
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