All-electric Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept could be the future
Volkswagen is putting a modern twist on a cult classic with its BUDD-e Concept, a vehicle that "brings the Microbus into the 21st Century."
Based on the automaker's new MEB modular electric platform, the BUDD-e Concept "demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019," with an all-electric driving range of some 600 kilometres thanks to its 101-kWh battery and front- and rear-mounted electric motors.
With its impressive range, Volkswagen says the BUDD-e Concept is "on a level playing field with today's gasoline-powered cars."
What's more, Volkswagen said the concept's batteries can be charged to 80 per cent in about 15 minutes.
But the modern Microbus is about more than just its advanced powertrain, with a suite of connectivity features making the BUDD-e Concept "more thoroughly connected with its surroundings than any car before it."
"An integral automotive component in the Internet of Things (IoT), (the concept) is capable of seamlessly communicating with your Smart Home or office," Volkswagen said in a statement. "Featuring next-generation infotainment technologies and offering an advanced new method of operation and information processing, BUDD-e turns travel into a fully interactive, intuitive experience.
A new user-machine interface lets touch and gesture control "merge seamlessly," rendering interior switches and buttons all but useless.
Wrapped up in a retro-inspired exterior design, and the BUDD-e Concept may be just that, a concept, but could also offer a glimpse into the future at Volkswagen.