The Original Volkswagen Bettle Can Now Do 150 km/h Thanks to Electric Power

Jaguar did it with their historic E-Type sports coupe, so what’s stopping Volkswagen to do the same with their Beetle? Announced at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Volkswagen is now offering an electric conversion for the beloved bug using parts from other series production models.

The e-Beetle uses components sourced from the Volkswagen e-up! and with that comes with an 82-horsepower output—more than what the regular Beetle ever achieved. The 36.8 kWh motor brings the bug to modern car standards—50 km/h comes in less than 4 seconds and its top speed is 150 km/h. The one-speed e-Beetle also has a range of about 200 kilometers.

Due to the heavier engine and lithium-ion batteries (curb weight is now 1,250 kilograms), the e-Beetle gets uprated and reinforced chassis and brakes.

The conversion is done by a partner company, eClassic—a German-based company located near Stuttgart. The modularity of the components means that other historic VW vehicles may also get the electrified treatment. Some of the models being floated around include the Type II bus (aka hippie van) and the Porsche 356.

Goodbye, Volkswagen Beetle

After its multi-generational run as a brand mainstay and global automotive phenomenon, the Volkswagen Beetle is ending production. Produced for 81 years, the final car, produced by Volkswagen de Mexico—a Denim Blue coupe—will live on display at Volkswagen’s local museum in Puebla.

Also known as the Type 1, Volkswagen sold more than 21.5 million units globally. In 1998, the New Beetle, an early automotive adopter of “modern retro” design language, re-introduced the familiar silhouette to a new generation of drivers, and sold more than 1.2 million cars between 1998 and 2010. In 2011, the third, and current generation of Beetle went on sale and more than 500,000 have been built since.

Sold in both coupe and convertible variants, the second- and third-generation of Beetles have collectively been produced in 23 different exterior colors, 32 interior trims, 13 varying engine configurations, and 19 special editions, including the Dune, Denim, Coast, and #PinkBeetle. All second- and third-generation Beetles have been built by Volkswagen de Mexico, Puebla, and have been sold in 91 markets worldwide.   

The end of Beetle production will allow Puebla’s resources to shift production to a new compact SUV, rumored to be the Tarek (Tharu in China) tailored for the North American market. It will slot below the Tiguan.