Is the Return of the Sacrificed Volkswagen Electric?

If you love cars that symbolize escape, how about a little ride in an electric Volkswagen Buggy?

You would inevitably be tempted, and rest assured you are not the only one! At the end of 2020, Volkswagen announced it would no longer produce the ID. BUGGY, which had received an extremely positive popular reception when introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. A rugged yet stylish exterior, a minimalist and weather-resistant interior—that was the spirit of the ID. BUGGY. The promise of a “Buggy Feeling” reborn for new generations.

But let’s take a moment to revisit this beautiful forgotten toy. A buggy is a basic concept for instant fun. No roof, no door, the ID. BUGGY dares a clear and uncompromising design. With its 18-inch wheels, off-road tires, side underbody protection, and roll cage, it’s built to meet any challenge. The spacious interior is rock-solid; it withstands bad weather and the passage of time. No frills when launching into sand dunes—with molded seats, simple and intuitive controls, a multifunction steering wheel with tactile control, and a fully digital cockpit.

Its 204 hp (150 kW) electric motor at the rear is powered by a high-voltage battery mounted in the floor of the vehicle, delivering a maximum torque of 310 Nm. The ID. BUGGY accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds and can even reach up to 160 km/h.

Harsh Reality Check

But since the ID. BUGGY was introduced, Volkswagen has had other electric cats to chase with the launch of its ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID. BUZZ. Four models that still struggle to find their audience. When a sedan or minivan isn’t selling well, suggesting a buggy becomes a luxury the automaker can’t afford, and the German manufacturer has logically decided to hit the stop button.

But at the beginning of March, Volkswagen filed three new vehicle names, including an ID. LOBO that piques curiosity. In the 1960s, American automaker El Lobo offered buggies based on the Beetle platform. Lobo meaning “wolf” in Spanish, is by no means a guarantee of the return of the ID. BUGGY. It could also be a small city car like the now-defunct Lupo, since Lupo means “wolf” in Italian. Or perhaps a pickup truck like the Amarok. And yes, Amarok means “wolf” in Inuit language.

No certainty, then, but a faint hope nurtured by the fact that the model line has not aged at all. Volkswagen has been without a purely playful model for too long. So, dare to dream!