Volkswagen confirms electric Dune Buggy is near

Volkswagen has confirmed it will revive the iconic Dune Buggy in the form of a concept vehicle at the 2019 Geneva motor show.

Playing on the legendary sand-slaying machines from the 1960s and 1970s, the reincarnated version will be all-electric, the German car-maker says, based on its modular MEB architecture.

The concept will forego a fixed roof and conventional doors just like the original versions, which were hinged on the Beetle chassis and became synonymous with Californian culture.

“A buggy is more than a car. It is vibrancy and energy on four wheels," said Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen’s head designer.

"These attributes are embodied by the new e-buggy, which demonstrates how a modern, non-retro interpretation of a classic can look and, more than anything else, the emotional bond that electric mobility can create.”

The all-electric Dune Buggy will be fit with requisite large wheels and off-road tyres, along with open side sills. The car-maker is at pains to point out the concept is no mere hyperbole, either – such is the flexibility of its MEB platform.

“Like the Beetle chassis of yesteryear, the MEB has the potential to facilitate the development of low-volume niche vehicles,” a Volkswagen release said.

Volkswagen began the information drip feed of its forthcoming concept in December last year. The spiritual successor to the 1960s Meyers Manx dune buggy is set to borrow its pure-electric powertrain from the forthcoming Volkswagen I.D. Neo hatch.

According to Volkswagen, future MEB-based vehicles could be rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which could lead to far more interesting and characterful cars than the divisive Volkswagen Beetle Dune.