Volkswagen’s Budd-e electric van debuts at CES

Volkswagen’s zero-emission, electric Budd-e concept van made its world premiere at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Budd-e is based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand, Dr Herbert Diess, said that "the Budd-e is a realistic trend setter".

Parallel to Budd-e, the automaker also presented the e-Golf Touch, which is based on the production model. With its new infotainment system, the e-Golf also features a further developed version of the Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB) with a 9.2-inch display. This touch display merges a smartphone to the vehicle.

With the e-Golf Touch he also demonstrated the next gen infotainment for large scale production with a new display and control concept, which includes gesture control and larger displays.

The Budd-e is powered by two brush-less electric motors with each powering one of the car’s axles. The motor powering the front wheels is rated at 134bhp and 20.32kgm of torque while the motor mounted on the rear axle produces 168bhp and 29.58kgm of torque giving the model a combined output of 302bhp and 49.9kgm of torque.

Featuring the latest in lithium-ion battery technology, VW claims that the van has a range of around 500km along with having the ability to charge up to 80 percent in 30 minutes, if charged from a 150kW source.

The Budd-e concept also previewed gesture control technology and autonomous functions including self parking system which is expected to go into production in the Touareg SUV’s replacement due in 2017.

“We are developing completely new and unique vehicle concepts – especially designed for long-distance electromobility," said Dr Diess. One of the highlights of the EV is the charging cycle. It is possible to charge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity within just around 30 minutes.

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