VW Readies Electric Microbus

Volkswagen AG is moving forward with plans to build a production version of the Budd-e concept electric crossover/MPV it unveiled last January at CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

The Budd-e is one of five dedicated EVs VW plans to launch by 2020, sources tell Autocar. This affirms previous reports coming shortly after the CES debut that a future VW model would “look a lot like” the Budd-e.

The seven-seat production model is expected to ride on VW’s Modular Electric Platform (MEB) that also will carry the upcoming ID electric hatchback, which was unveiled in September at the Paris auto show. The ID goes on sale in 2019.

The flexible MEB platform allows an EV’s battery pack to be packaged flat underneath the floor. The production Budd-e model will have a 500-km (310-mile) driving range, according to Autocar. The electric motor would be housed adjacent to the rear axle. All-wheel drive is possible with the addition of an electric propshaft and front-mounted electric motors.

The new model will get a longer wheelbase and wider track than the ID, Autocar says. Overall length is estimated to be about 4,900 mm (193 inches), which would make it 16 inches shorter than the latest VW Multivan.

The Budd-e concept is modeled after VW’s iconic Microbus van, which eventually was replaced by the Multivan. Design cues include a short nose and relatively upright windshield. The concept also featured a host of autonomous vehicle functions.