DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen E-Bugster concept

Volkswagen chose the 2012 Detroit Motor Show to reveal its E-Bugster concept, an electric car based on the iconic VW Beetle. While the vehicle design may not be to everyone's taste - the chopped roof is 90mm lower than Beetle's - the electric motor is a clear indication of Volkswagen's future EV powertrain plans.

The two-seat VW E-Bugster concept is powered by an 80kg "electric module" which will be labelled 'Blue-e-Motion' when it reaches production. This relatively lightweight unit delivers 85kW/270Nm, enough grunt to propel the concept car from 0-96km/h in a claimed 10.9 seconds.

Energy for the electric motor comes from a 28.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is "housed in a space-saving location behind the front seats" says the German company. The E-Bugster has a cruising range of 180km "in the urban world".

One of the key features of the new electric drive system is its recharge time. Volkswagen says the battery pack can be charged in just 35 minutes at a fast charging station. It can also be charged at regular 240V outlet (120V in the USA) though Volkswagen doesn't mention how long that takes.

The new electric powertrain, which is likely to make its production debut in a Volkswagen small car (possibly Golf) in 2013, makes use of a new Combined Charging System which was developed in conjunction with BMW, Audi, Ford, GM, Daimler and Porsche.

This new system is basically a standardisation of internal software and hardware that will make it easier (and more affordable) for said car companies to standardise their recharging technology. The petrol equivalent would be the same as car companies adopting the same size fuel filler.

Volkswagen explains that there's still more work to be done however:

"This will require the development of a new, uniform industry standard for the plug connectors of future electric vehicles that will be available to all manufacturers. And this standardisation even goes beyond the plug connector itself: in the Combined Charging System, the charge controller and the electrical architecture must be able to handle all charging types. This will reduce costs and simplify widespread global implementation of electric mobility."

Turning to the sporty design of the E-Bugster, the concept car is not best described as practical with reduced boot space and a low roof, but it does catch the eye. Rolling on 20-inch alloy wheels, the Volkswagen 'speedster' has a low stance, pumped wheel arches and LED foglights yet is still recognisably Beetle. It measures 4278mm long - the same as the regular Beetle - but is 30mm wider and a good 90mm lower than its donor car thanks to that lowered or 'chopped' roof.

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