Volkswagen E-Bugster: an angry, electric Beetle

By Derek Fung | January 12, 2012

About The Author

Derek Fung

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CNET Editor

Derek loves nothing more than punching a remote location into a GPS, queuing up some music and heading out on a long drive, so it's a good thing he's in charge of CNET Australia's Car Tech channel.

If you're not convinced that VW's new Beetle is more masculine than ever before, then check out this even more aggressive concept model.

(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

Car ninja

Compared to the sufficiently macho regular Beetle, the E-Bugster features a chopped and flattened roof line, as well as pumped-up wheel arches.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

E-mote

As the "E-" prefix suggests, this concept Beetle has an electric motor up front, instead of its regular petrol or diesel forms of motivation.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

Wanderer

Where the rear seats would otherwise be is a lightweight (80kg) battery module, capable of delivering 180km of range.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

Slow beetle

With 85kW at the driver's disposal, the E-Bugster can hit 96km/h in just over 10 seconds.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

Wired

Opt for the company's quick charger, and the E-Bugster can be recharged in around 35 minutes. VW won't say how long it takes to replenish the E-Bugster's batteries via a regular 240V outlet, though.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

White out

If you're not a fan of stark white, you're fresh out of luck.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)

Electric this, touchscreen that

Instead of the familiar VW entertainment and nav system, there's an LG tablet. Below that is another touchscreen for the climate-control system. These are joined by electronic readouts at the top of the dash and instrument panel.

Derek Fung travelled to the Detroit Motor Show as a guest of Ford.