Looking to mix a bit of beach cruising culture from a bygone era with some new-age drivetrain technology, Volkswagen debuted its super-cute electrified dune buggy at Geneva earlier in the year. The automaker is again showing off the stylish retro cruiser as part of Monterey Car Week, marking the occasion by setting it free on the sand alongside the inspiration for the design, a Meyers Manx dune buggy in a original 60s-era styling.
With their rear engine configuration and hardy suspension, the Volkswagen Beetle of the 1960s proved a popular choice for mod-shops looking to spend more time in the sand. Among those carving dune buggies out the iconic cars was boatbuilder and engineer Bruce Meyers, whose Meyers Manx fiberglass-reinforced dune buggy is considered the original of its class.
VW is looking to recapture the inventive spirit shown by Manx with the all-electric modular ID. Buggy. Staying true to the dune buggies of old, it features no roof and no doors, but the composite upper body can be pulled off the chassis to allow custom vehicle makers to go to town.
The electric motor is built onto the rear axle and works with a single-speed gearbox to create 201 hp (150 kW) and maximum torque of 228 lb-ft (309 Nm). The 62-kWh battery is built into the floor and allows for 155 mi (250 km) of range, while the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time is listed as 7.2 seconds and top speed is limited to 99 mph (160 km/h).
Its capabilities can be witnessed in the video below, which features an interview with Meyers and a Meyers Manx dune buggy tearing through the sand alongside the VW ID. Buggy.
Source: Volkswagen
