Volkswagen Retrofitting Electric Powertrains Into Old Beetles
With the last incarnation of the Volkswagen Beetle officially dead and buried, VW is hoping to breathe new life into vintage models by retrofitting them with electric powertrains. While purists will no doubt frame this as the blatant ruination of a historic model, something tells us that plenty of Beetle fans are just quirky enough to dig the idea.
On Thursday, Volkswagen Group Components announced that its partnership with eClassics has birthed the “e-Beetle” (e-Käfer in German). Borrowing components from the company’s European e-Up, the model is supposed to be a proof of concept for the electric conversion of other historic models — with VW noting that an e-Porsche 356 and electrified Microbus are already in the works.
“The electrified Beetle combines the charm of our classic car with the mobility of the future. Innovative e-components from Volkswagen Group Components are under the bonnet – we work with them to electrify historically important vehicles, in what is an emotional process,” said Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, in a release. “We are also providing Beetle owners with a professional conversion solution, using production parts of the highest quality.”
VW claims the use of its MEB platform is under consideration for future models. That makes sense, especially considering the company has already suggested the platform could be leased by rival manufacturers. If the take rate is high enough, it’ll help solidify the brand as a leader in electrification — something it would very much like to see happen.
However, Volkswagen is only handing over the hardware. The actual conversions will be carried out by eClassics in Renningen, Germany, near VW’s home base in Stuttgart. That means e-Beetles will likely be isolated to Europe for the time being. Yet the company has already indicated it has broader aspirations that may include North America.
Those plans may have to be postponed until juicer powertrains become available, though. Volkswagen reports that the e-Beetle’s performance peak resides somewhere around 82 PS (about 80 hp). While that’s supposedly good for a 50 kph (31 mph) rush of “just under four seconds,” the trip to 80 kph takes twice as long. Not exactly inspiring performance by modern standards. Still, the automaker claims the vehicle’s 93 mph top speed, combined with 124 miles of range, is enough “for a relaxing day out in an electrified classic car.”
As it turns out, the car’s 36.8-kwh battery adds some heft to the Type 1 — resulting in a new curb weight of 1,280 kilograms (2,822 pounds). Fortunately, it’s still faster than the original by a good wide margin. And, since the electrified bug seems to be operating inside a Gattica-style fantasy where vintage automobiles are converted into pristine electrics to be used daily, we’ll not complain about the zip factor.
A near-production version of the e-Beetle will be on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, later this month. Expect more information on the program then.
[Images: Volkswagen/eClassics]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Making the beetle any worse would've been an achievement, any kind of changes are automatically for the better. Jokes aside, electrifying cars like this is a good thing. An original Beetle really isn't something you want to drive in modern traffic, and there are many places in Germany where you're not even allowed to run pre-catalytic converter cars anymore. Gasoline VWs are also extremely flammable due to a variety of reasons, an EV conversion is almost certainly less likely to go up in flames. Unless you get batteries made by Tesla, of course.
"...automaker claims the vehicle’s 93 mph top speed, combined with 124 miles of range, is enough “for a relaxing day out in an electrified classic car.” Nice of you to decide how much range I need for a relaxing day out. More toys for the rich. Volkswagen: The People's Car. As Earl Schieb used to say: "Riiiiiiiiiiight".