On the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Volkswagen demonstrated the Budd-e concept car, which continues some of the uses and practicality of Microbus, but looks forward to the next decade as a compelling template. Electric family car.
The Budd-e concept car is in many respects the first of a new generation of plug-in cars. It is the first vehicle based on the new Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB), a platform designed to help maximize the space-efficient packaging of plug-in vehicles and accommodate larger batteries.
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If produced, it may be the first car from a non-luxury brand to use such a large (101 kWh) battery pack; it may be one of the first vehicles to use the new, faster fast-charging standard that the Volkswagen Group is considering.
Compact type that meets U.S. standards
Budd-e is 181 inches long, 76.3 inches wide, and 72.2 inches high, about the same size as the (now discontinued) Mazda 5. The short overhang and the 124.1-inch long wheelbase help this design look more three-dimensional and elongated.
The battery is completely flat, and it is installed almost under the floor of the vehicle, helping to maintain the spaciousness and versatility of the van-like expected of the vehicle.
Budd-e is powered by independent front and rear motors, provides all-wheel drive, and has a top speed of 93 mph. Its claimed 373-mile cruising range is based on the new European Driving Cycle (NEDC), so the official US cruising range may be closer to the 300-mile mark.
Update: Volkswagen has confirmed that the US Environmental Protection Agency's estimated driving cycle range is 223 miles, or 373 miles NEDC. We are still seeking answers as to why the range difference is wider (40%) than other vehicles.
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Volkswagen said that through a special charging system, a 101 kWh battery pack can be charged to 80% in just 30 minutes. Cordless induction charging will also appear on the menu.
The new platform brings some new ways to think about where and why the core system is installed. Here, heating and air conditioning are designed to the front of the vehicle, allowing the use of larger air filters and reducing fan noise.
Interior design is another main focus of Budd-e, which showcases a new and redesigned human machine interface (HMI). The traditional division between the driver's instrument and other controls has been eliminated, merging them into a continuous "information center"-since two independent displays are visually merged into one, there is a true 3D map display.
The dashboard itself is programmable and is an evolution of the active information display that Volkswagen launched on certain vehicles in 2015-this includes a 12.3-inch curved display that provides the driver with three configurable parts.
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Drivers have many control options between gesture control, touch screen display, voice control, and a new generation of steering wheel control. Passengers also have a reconfigurable seat setting similar to the lounge, which is unlikely to enter any production version anytime due to safety regulations, but may hint at future autonomous versions.
Like many modern concept cars, Budd-e does not have a traditional exterior mirror. Both the driver and the front passenger obtain images from the electronic rear-view mirror through the multi-function display.
The concept is also equipped with Volkswagen’s new Gesture Control 2.0, not only for the driver, but also for other vehicle functions; for example, a gesture will open an electric sliding door. Volkswagen said that the gesture control system, like the always-on "Okay Google" function on some smart phones, does not require you to activate it with a button first.
Volkswagen has not revealed any close-up details about the new battery pack, but at the press conference and CES we reported this week, please look for more details about it and the production possibilities of this concept.
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