Jan 10, 2012

E-Bugster Volkswagen world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show



For many the car is the nicest of the modern era: The Beetle, heir to an icon of motoring. Debuted last April in New York, then was sold in various markets. Beetle is the sportiest of all time: 200 hp of maximum power and, since each version of the Beetle tip for nature agility, the variants with less horsepower (for the U.S. market from 170 hp to the European 105 hp) are synonymous with uncompromising driving pleasure, mile after mile. Volkswagen, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, shows that such a sportsmanship can be found even on a pure electric powered Beetle. For this was developed the E-Bugster, a Beetle Speedster two-seater with 85 kW of power, which reaches 10.9 seconds in the 60 mph, with zero emissions, but with a very aggressive look. The heart electric E-Bugster is located in front of the car and weighs only 80 kg. The energy supply of the electric motor is stored in a lithium ion battery, whose modules are located behind the front seats. The battery capacity, equivalent to 28.3 kWh, in the urban cycle offers a range of at least 110 miles (180 km): even in a huge country like the United States, such a distance is sufficient for most commuters to go to work and return home.

Since Volkswagen has a quick charge function at specific locations, the battery can be "supplied" within 35 minutes. The battery of the E-Bugster can also be loaded into the house through the normal 120-volt American sockets (for European networks from 230 volts). The charging socket is located under the panel that normally conceals the nozzle for refueling. Thanks to the new loading system combined Combined Charging Systems - in collaboration with Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and American partners with Ford and General Motors / Opel - the E-Bugster you can "load" in the following ways: charging current AC single phase, with a fast charge current (electric outlets).

With this, you develop a new and uniform industry standard plugs for electric cars of the future, available to all manufacturers. This approval is beyond the normal spine: the system provides the same management of all types of charge, thereby reducing costs and facilitating the spread of electric worldwide.

The driver of the E-Bugster can see how much energy is required by acting on the accelerator with an appropriate measure of performance. There are also an indicator of autonomy and a display that shows the level of battery charge. Another new instrument aboard the Beetle is an indicator of energy recovery. It is, more precisely, the Brake Energy Regeneration: As soon as the driver lifts his foot off the accelerator pedal and / or make a stop, the kinetic energy is converted and stored temporarily in the current through the battery, thus increasing the autonomy of the E-Bugster. Volkswagen has chosen to call the electric drive system Blue-and-motion. Already in 2013, this same name designates, among other things a standard Golf.

Bugster The name refers to another concept car, the Beetle family: the Ragster. It was January 2005. Even then, the stage was that of Detroit. Volkswagen introduced the New Beetle ragtop version speedster with a flat (roof folded): the Ragster precisely, an anticipation of tomorrow's design of the Beetle (that is, the one just launched). Wider, lower and sportier. In 2005, about the feasibility of the concept car, it was said that anything is conceivable, now says that everything is possible. The idea behind the Ragster, just a car wider, sportier and flatter roof line, it is in fact materialized in October 2011, with the current Beetle, except for the ragtop. There is still a question mark on the name: E-Bugster. The choice is easily explained: it's a combination of the "E" that distinguishes the electric models, the nickname of the American Beetle ("Bug") and the term "speedster", indicating the two-seater convertible. The E-Bugster Beetle is one which could hardly appear more dynamic. A real sport, less than 1,400 mm high, about 90 mm ​​less than a normal Beetle, feature, this one, which already by itself transmits great force, giving the car a decidedly aggressive. The width (1838 mm) increased by 30 mm, the length (4278 mm) remains unchanged. When viewed from any angle, the E-Bugster shows a dynamism truly unusual in this context, some details of the version of the series have been supplemented by new design elements. And if this concept car is already on the road, created as if by magic, the reason is very simple: already during the development of the standard model, just launched on the market, the Beetle's design team had studied all of the possible future developments. This has allowed, among other things, the birth of a speedster with an electric motor: the E-Bugster.



A true speedster has crystal dishes and low roof. And the E-Bugster no exception. We first examine the sides: under the wheel arches, typically pronounced, there are 20 "rims, derived from Twister 18" of the Beetle, with 235/35 tires. And in the wings because we find the typical "V" of the side, one of the hallmarks of the historic Beetle. From the spar, then gets up on the large eyes, smooth and homogeneous surface of the door and onto the rib, as recorded by a blade above the handle of the door. It's just a few inches above this point that the Beetle turns into speedster: the designers have in fact extended the line of chrome lower window frame to the rear causing wanders as well on New Beetle Cabriolet, a pillar to the other . And over this chrome frame, in a flattened arc profile, you develops the hard top of the car. In classic speedster, the radius of the roof follows the upper frame of the side windows. The height between the bottom edge of window chrome and the top line of the roof is only 400 mm. And this must be for a speedster.

Immediately stands out on the front windshield and a large pot, which goes beyond the side window pillars. The E-Bugster equipped with headlights with LED technology differs from the standard Beetle for custom bumpers: left and right of the central air intake, the designers have integrated daytime running lights made with strips of LED C-shaped (of course mirror on the right side). In Europe since the introduction of the e-up! (Prototype), this form of daytime running lights has become a signature for the electric-powered concept car, Volkswagen. These design elements are also found in the rear bumper, also newly developed, modified as reflectors. And to those who believe that crystals have to offer speedster rear of visibility does not necessarily optimal, the rear window of the E-Bugster extra-wide, shows the opposite.

The combination of high technology and dynamic is also reflected in the interior. Central tunnel sections and seats painted in body color underline the sportiness of the E-Bugster. The use of aluminum as a material for door handles and the attacks of seat belts, as well as the steering wheel made of light material creates a strong link between external and internal. Of particular impact is the time the E-Bugster: with on / off not only "lights up" the car but also a choreographed light invades the interior of white light that turns blue. The atmosphere is enhanced by a thin line of light of a millimeter along the armrests of the doors and air vents.

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