Volkswagen e-Beetle explained

Volkswagen e-Beetle
Aka:	e-Käfer
Class:	Compact car (C)
Body Style:	2-door coupé & convertible
Layout:	RR
Related:	VW e-Up!
Motor:	821NaN1 Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Transmission:	1-sp
Battery:	36.8 kWh Li-ion
Wheelbase:	NaN1NaN1
Length:	NaN1NaN1
Width:	NaN1NaN1
Height:	NaN1NaN1
Weight:	12800NaN0
Predecessor:	Volkswagen Beetle (Car Body)
Sp:	uk

The Volkswagen e-Beetle is a modified automobile first shown in October 2019 at IAA in Frankfurt. A donor Volkswagen Type 1303 Super Beetle convertible was updated by replacing the original petrol drivetrain with the electric motor, transmission, and battery used in the e-Up. Parts were taken from the regular Volkswagen production line, and installed by specialist partner in Renningen after consulting with Volkswagen Group Components.

Design and development

Externally, the e-Käfer may be distinguished from a classic Beetle by the car's running boards; these are thicker on the e-Käfer to conceal the depth of the floor-mounted battery pack. The converted car retains the original rear-drive, rear-motor layout.^[1]

Performance

The e-Up drivetrain is rated at an output of 81hp and 155abbr=onNaNabbr=on as installed in the e-Beetle, which is equipped with a 36.8 kWh lithium-ion battery for a range of . A larger battery, 45 kWh, and an uprated motor, 101hp, are available at extra cost.

The converted e-Beetle weighs .^[2]

Production

The chassis for the e-Beetle is marketed at a retail price of alone, or for a complete converted vehicle that is ready to drive. The upgraded battery and motor are also available for an extra .^[3]

intend for the technology in the battery-electric conversion to be applied to other classic Volkswagen products. In March 2020, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showed the e-BULLI, a conversion of a 1966 T1 Samba Bus performed by using the same e-Up drivetrain as the e-Beetle,^[4] distinct from prior electrified Volkswagen small concept vans such as the Bulli (2011), BUDD-e (2016), and ID.BUZZ (2017). The e-BULLI battery is slightly larger than the e-Beetle battery, at 45 kWh, but the range remains the same . The cost of the e-BULLI conversion is .^[5]

External links

• Premiere: New energy for the Beetle . September 5, 2019 . Volkswagen Newsroom.
• Web site: Retro Käfer: Restauriert und Elektrifiziert . Retro Beetle: Restored and Electrified . eClassics.

Notes and References

1. News: Volkswagen Will Now Convert Classic Beetles To Electric Power Which Is Maybe Even Better Than A New EV Beetle . Torchinsky, Jason . September 5, 2019 . Jalopnik . 4 May 2020 . ... it appears that the whole e-Up! transverse drivetrain has been transplanted to the back of the VW chassis, replacing the whole longitudinal transaxle/engine setup.
   It's a very nice, tidy setup, and the e-Up!'s power pack fits remarkably well in the back of the Beetle. I can see that some extra motor mounts and supports have been added to the rear torsion tube housing, and the frame 'horns' that once carried the transaxle have been cut off. New rear shock absorber mounts seem to be added as well.
   The drivetrain, being transverse, is a bit shorter than the original transaxle/flat-four setup, so its weight is more focused over the axle line, and as such is less of an 'outboard' motor, which will likely improve handling a good bit..
2. News: VW-E-beetle: Volkswagen shows off the e-Beetle classic electric conversion . McCourt, Mark J. . September 6, 2019 . Hemmings . 27 March 2020.
3. News: eClassics Will Sell Its Electrified Beetle Floor Pan For 39,900 Euros . Ruffo, Gustavo Henrique . September 12, 2019 . Inside EVs . 27 March 2020.
4. Web site: Volkswagen E-Bulli marks an electric take on classic bus . Szymkowski, Sean . March 20, 2020 . Road/Show . CNet . 27 March 2020.
5. e-BULLI Concept: A crossover of high-end classic and high-tech electric vehicle . March 24, 2020 . Volkswagen US Media . 27 March 2020.