Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

A Look at What's to Come for the Top-Down Beetle

Volkswagen E Bugster Concept Front Three Quarters 2.JPG

Volkswagen E Bugster Concept Rear Three Quarters.JPG

Volkswagen E Bugster Concept Front End 2.JPG

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January 09, 2012

By Frank Markus

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The butched up, no longer “New” Beetle is expected to add a cabrio model next year. The overall shape of the tin-topped Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept at the 2012 Detroit show is expected to whet our collective appetite for that alfresco bug, while its “Blue-e-motion” electric drivetrain gets our juices flowing for the even farther-off 2014 Golf Blue-e-motion battery-electric car.

As the “ster” suffix suggests, the fixed top is considerably chopped from production intent to evoke speedster rakishness( it stands 3 inches lower than the coupe). Other styling departures include the wide, flatter windshield and unique LED daytime running lamp brackets framing the lower air intakes, which are echoed with reflectors in the rear bumper and are becoming a visual signature of electric Volkswagen concepts since the e-up! The 20-inch wheels are a plausible one-size up from those on the Turbo model.

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Under the hood lies a 114-hp/199-lb-ft electric motor energized by a lithium-ion battery pack that lives under the trunk and rear seat, weighing in at 176 pounds. Range is listed at 100 miles, and the onboard charger can handle level 1 (120 volts), level 2 (240 volts), and level 3 charging (400-volt quick charge, capable of providing 80 percent charge in 30 minutes). These numbers echo those of the Golf Blue-e-motion, so we can infer that motor torque is 184 lb-ft and the battery weighs 695 pounds and holds 26.5 kW-hrs, but we hope lower vehicle weight and/or a shorter gear ratio might give this sporty looking concept sprightlier acceleration than the (3410-lb, 9.8:1-geared) Golf’s claimed 11-seconds-plus 0-to-60-mph time.

We presume the E-Bugster also shares the Golf’s DSG steering paddles which are used to select between four levels of regenerative braking and its drive-mode button that limits available power to 67 (Range+), 87 (Normal) and 114 (Comfort+).