Interior Design, a leading design publication, website and events company, has named the Volkswagen ID. BUGGY concept winner of the Automotive Design category in its 2019 Best of Year Awards.
Now in its 14th year, Interior Design’s Best of Year honors and recognizes the most significant work of designers, architects and manufacturers from around the globe.
“Our ID. BUGGY concept perfectly illustrates where Volkswagen came from and where we are going, all in one incredibly fun electric vehicle,” said Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design. “This award from Interior Design is testament to the newfound design freedom and flexibility afforded by automotive electrification.”
The ID. BUGGY prevailed in a category of five competitors. All other nominees in the Automotive Design category were from luxury and exotic automotive brands.
BUGGY Design
Like the classic Beetle and Bus, ID. BUGGY has no need for a grille, and yet the summer cruiser is instantly recognizable as a Volkswagen. The prominently raised hood, fenders and tail end hint at the concept’s off-road chops, while three-dimensional oval LED headlights and taillights, an LED VW logo, and a body that seems to float above the chassis lend an air of approachability.
The floating effect is created by the use of two colors next to each other. The top half of the car—most notably the striking fenders and shoulders—is painted in matte Fern Green, while the bottom portion is painted in a textured Grey Tech Blue. The green part visually floats above the dark blue area.
The minimalist interior in ID. BUGGY is characterized by easy handling and waterproof materials. All elements surrounding the exterior are a continuation of the body, painted in Fern Green, while the majority of the interior trim is finished in a robust Grey Tech Blue soft-touch paint. The driver and passenger sit on seats with head restraints and safety belt guides integrated into the backrests, while the floor plate is outfitted with anti-slip knobs.
The zero tailpipe-emissions drivetrain of the ID. BUGGY is made up of the electric motor integrated in the rear axle, power electronics, a single-speed gearbox, the high-voltage flat battery (62 kWh) arranged in the car floor to save space, and the additional units integrated in the vehicle front end. The electric motor delivers 201 horsepower and maximum torque of 228 lb-ft from standstill. This means that the electric vehicle can provide enough power to the rear axle, even off the paved road. With performance acceleration on paved slopes, the concept car sprints from zero to 62 mph in just 7.2 seconds. The maximum speed is electronically controlled at 99 mph.
