Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept revealed
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The Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept has been revealed at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show as an electric Camper Van / Microbus with a wealth of technology.
The teases we’ve had so far for the BUDD-e means the looks are no real surprise, with a bold, bluff front end, big VW badge reminiscent of the Camper Van on the front, boxy shape and big alloys. It really does look like a 21st century Camper Van.
Underpinning the BUDD-e is VW’s new Modular Electric Platform (MEB) which has been created specifically for VW’s electric vehicles, with power coming from a 101kWh battery pack covering the floor and powering a pair of electric motors, one at the back and one at the front with a combined 300bhp, so the BUDD-e is four-wheel drive.
VW say that’s enough to get to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and deliver a range of 331 miles on a single charge, and can charge to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes and act as a supplemental power supply for your home too.
But what the BUDD-e is all about is what’s going on inside, and the technology on offer.
VW say the BUDD-e is a mobile home – which is what the Camper Van / Microbus always was – but this is far more than just somewhere to lay your head on your travels.
The BUDD-e connects to your house so you can control stuff like lights and heating for when you get home, and it appears to all be done with gesture control rather than buttons. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a button in sight, and even the mirrors are cameras.
There’s also a big curved display that consists of three individual screens, wraparound rear seats, re-configurable front seats and you can even talk to your new Microbus by saying “Hello BUDD-e” and issuing instructions. Wonder where they got that idea from?
Will the VW BUDD-e make it in to production? Possibly.
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