With the production of the original Volkswagen Beetle coming to an end this year – when the final example rolled off the Puebla factory assembly line in Mexico – it appeared as though this classic car’s story was over for good.
Alas, it seems that may not be the case… the era of the Beetle still has time to ride out and the funky little car has made yet another grand comeback! What began way back in 1938 led to a worldwide craze with a total of 21 million Beetles built throughout the car’s history. That kind of momentum can’t just come to a sudden halt.
So how have they extended the life of this internationally loved vehicle that is Volkswagen’s most iconic model? With the availability of a conversion kit that will transform the classic Beetle into a new-age electric car that you can charge at home. This means that the owner of a Classic VW Beetle can future-proof its pride and joy to fit into the clean world that nations are planning for. Volkswagen has teamed up with specialist firm eClassics based in Germany to provide the official conversion kit.
It’s as simple as changing the cars clothes, sort of. The first step involves taking the vehicle to an eClassics firm (in Germany) for the installment of a kit. There, they’ll swap out the internal-combustion engine and replace it with a battery and electric motor – a nice zero-emission drivetrain suitable for a sustainable future. To be exact, the company will extract the Beetle’s air-cooled flat-four-cylinder engine and replace it with the electric drivetrain from the existing e-up! city car, including the single-speed gearbox. With the removal of the rear-mounted petrol engine, there’s the bonus of a usable amount of boot space.
There will be a bit of a weight difference with the new engine adding 500kg to the scale. The original weighs around 800kg while the retrofitted electric version will weigh around 1,300kg. Yet, even though it’s heavier, it will be faster – the 81bhp electric power source should make the car accelerate from a standstill to 50mph (80.5kmph) in eight seconds and onto a top speed of 93mph (150kmph.) However, it’s not advised to drive at top speeds for too long as the range will quickly disappear.
The driving range of one full charge is about 124 miles. The kit used allows for fast charging at available plug-in points. It will only take one hour at an applicable plug-in point to replenish the battery to 75% capacity.
They are already planning to do conversions of other models as well. Thomas Schmall, a member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, commented on the project:
“The electrified Beetle combines the charm of our classic car with the mobility of the future. Innovative e-components from Volkswagen Group Components are under the bonnet – we work with them to electrify historically important vehicles, in what is an emotional process. We are also providing Beetle owners with a professional conversion solution, using production parts of the highest quality. We are already working together to prepare the platform for the Bus. An e-Porsche 356 could also be pursued in the future.”
