Volkswagen Budd-e concept revealed at CES 2016

Volkswagen has revealed its new all-electric van concept called the Budd-e. The all-electric van is seen by many as the spiritual successor to the original Volkswagen Microbus and forms the centrepiece of an ambitious electric car project from the German automaker following the dieselgate scandal.

The Budd-e is the first in a series of all-electric production models from the company which is set to include the replacement for the range-topping Phaeton as well. The concept is based on the company’s new MEB (Modularen Elektrisch Baukasten – modular electric drive kit) platform that is expected to underpin all future dedicated electric models from the VW group including the Porsche Mission E and Audi e-tron Quattro. The new architecture allows the van to store all its batteries within its wheelbase under the cabin’s floor.

The van’s styling is influenced from the Bulli concept that made its debut at the Geneva motor show in 2011 and looks quite similar to the latest generation Japanese kei cars. It gets a large front grille with incorporated headlamps, C-shaped LED daytime running lamps on the front bumpers, blacked-out pillars, a roof-mounted solar panel and sleek tail-lamps encircling the rear windshield. Access to the interior is via conventional doors up front and sliding doors for the rear seats.

Inside, the Budd-e concept gets conventional front seats while the rear features a wrap-around bench. The dashboard gets a digital instrument cluster, a large HD display for internet-enabled infotainment functions and a multi-function two-spoke steering wheel.

The Budd-e is powered by two brush-less electric motors with each powering one of the car’s axles. The motor powering the front wheels is rated at 134bhp and 20.32kgm of torque while the motor mounted on the rear axle produces 168bhp and 29.58kgm of torque giving the model a combined output of 302bhp and 49.9kgm of torque.

Featuring the latest in lithium-ion battery technology, VW claims that the van has a range of around 500km along with having the ability to charge up to 80 percent in 30 minutes, if charged from a 150kW source.

The Budd-e concept also previewed gesture control technology and autonomous functions including self parking system which is expected to go into production in the Touareg SUV’s replacement due in 2017.

Speaking at Volkswagen's keynote speech at CES, company boss Dr Herbert Diess said: "The original Microbus was the embodiment of peace, hope and happiness, an apartment on wheels. The future belongs to cars that make everyone happy. We want to create a new experience of mobility."