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Volkswagen e-Bulli, the T1 Samba Bus combi marketed in electric version

After the Beetle, Volkswagen again collaborated with the eClassics preparer to tackle its other great myth: the combi. Result, a 1966 T1 Samba Bus abandons its petrol engine to switch to 100% electric. The result is very attractive but it will be necessary to break his bank account.

This is without doubt the synthesis dreamed of by many VW combi fans who are sensitive to the environmental cause. Based on a T1 Samba Bus from 1966, Volkswagen replaced the engine block / gearbox speed by an electric powertrain that equips the brand's new models. The result is the VW e-Bulli which has been modified in partnership with the German company eClassics specialized in electric retrofit, a practice which has just received regulatory approval in France. Recall that Volkswagen has already worked with eClassics on an electric conversion kit for its legendary ladybug.

Cult obliges, the general esthetics of T1 Samba Bus was not modified. Note only the integration of a selector P, R, N and D / B in a central console between the two seats and the presence of headlights Led. For the rest, the atmosphere of the seventies is there. Under the hood, the 44hp four-cylinder heat engine was replaced by a 61kW electric motor equivalent to 83hp. Volkswagen specifies that its torque of 212 Nm is twice as high as that of the original engine. The maximum speed is given for 130 km / h against 105 km / h previously.

More than 200 km of autonomy

The lithium ion battery 45 kWh should provide autonomy more than 200 km, dixit Volkswagen. The CCS combo connector, cleverly concealed behind the rear license plate, is compatible with fast charging 50 kW. 80% of autonomy can be restored in 40 minutes of charging.

Let us now come to the annoying thing: the price. eClassics offers T1 owners to switch to electric for 64,900 euros. Knowing that the rating of a T1 Samba of this era oscillates between 50,000 and more than 100.00 euros, the final note may be very salty!

Volkswagen Type 20: the retro-futuristic VW combi

Article by Marc Zaffagni, the 07/04/2019

Converted to electric, active suspension developed by Porsche, facial recognition … Volkswagen had fun transforming a VW combi from 1962 by skillfully mixing past and future.

To say that the combi Volkswagen is a icon. Passionate people snatch them up for gold, sometimes to personalize them in every conceivable way, sometimes to leave them "in their own juice". So when the German manufacturer offers its own reinterpretation of the good old VW combi, we can speak of an event. To celebrate the inauguration of its new engineering and innovation center based in California (United States), Volkswagen converted a 1962 combi to electric propulsion and decked it out with high-tech features.

For the motorization of its “Type 20” concept, the German manufacturer has opted for an electric motor of 120 horsepower which delivers 234 Nm of torque. Everything is powered by a 10 kWh battery. Autonomy is not specified. Until then, nothing spectacular. But things get more enticing with the suspension pneumatic active signed Porsche which adjusts the ride height via a software. As the driver approaches, the VW Type 20 rises.

The VW Type 20 combi from Volkswagen is a great success. © Volkswagen

Pending ID.Buzz

To board, you must use the facial recognition system integrated in the second window driver side. Inside, a voice-activated virtual assistant can perform a number of tasks. As you would expect, the dashboard inherits an entertainment system with a large screen with visible holographic display without using special glasses. Side style, Volkswagen worked with the Autodesk software of generative design (combined work of an engineer and algorithms) to create the rims, the exterior mirrors and the support elements of the interior benches inspired by organic shapes.

For the rest, the combi retains its authenticity. A very successful marriage between the past and the future which will undoubtedly please some amateurs. To see this creation, we are impatient to discover what will give the series model of the concept ID.Buzz, the revised and corrected electric version of the combi whose marketing should take place around 2022.

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