Volkswagen is thinking about reintroducing the
iconic Beetle to the public as a battery-electric rear-wheel drive model based
on their MEB platform, according to the company’s chairman Herbert Diess. If
the project gets the green light, the new Beetle EV will be a sister model to
the upcoming electric VW Bus that was previewed by the ID Buzz concept at the
last Detroit Motor Show.
So far the idea of an electric Beetle is still a
proposal among others that are planned to be put before VW’s board members but
the odds look pretty good. “The next decision on electric cars will be what
kind of emotional concepts we need,” said Diess to Autocar.
VW’s first battery-electric model, which was
previewed by the ID hatchback concept last year, will also come with a
rear-drive, rear-engine layout, utilizing a 168 hp electric motor that’s mounted
within the rear axle assembly.