
Translating…
Sure, tooling around in classic car is cool, but have you ever tried tooling around in a classic car with an engine that’s way less ecologically unsound than the one it originally rolled off the assembly line with? If you’re aVolkswagen Beetleowner, You’ll soon have the chance to give it a spin: Volkswagen’s come up with a standardized electric engine designed to power their classic Beetles down the highway.
FromVolkswagen:
Volkswagen Group Components presents a holistic concept with its partner eClassics for the subsequent electrification of the historic Volkswagen Beetle. The conversion exclusively uses new parts they have mutually agreed on from the series production of Volkswagen Group Components. The electric drive, the 1-speed gearbox and the battery system are based on the new VW e-up!1. The conversion of the historic Beetle is being carried out by the specialist company eClassics.
…The components from Kassel and Brunswick work together in the e-Beetle as an electric drive that reaches performance peaks of 60°kW /82°PS. The battery system is built into the underbody and consists of up to 14 modules, each with a capacity of 2.6 kWh. The lithium-ion battery modules cumulatively deliver energy of up to 36.8 kWh. The higher performance and the increased weight due to the extent of electrification require the adaptation and reinforcement of the chassis and the brakes.
So, your Bug will be a little heavier, but the benefits of the conversion sound pretty sweet: Volkswagen claims the that a converted Beetle can accelerate from zero to 50 km/h in just under four seconds and up to 80 km/h in around eight seconds, with a top speed of 150 km/h. As for range, Beetle conversion owners can expect to go 200km before their ride requires a charge. According to the press release, conversion kits for the Volkswagen Bus and the Porsche 356 are also in the works.
There’s just one catch: for the time being, the conversion hardware is only available in Germany through Volkswagen’s partner company, eClassics. No doubt, if the conversion tech proves to be a hit in Europe, it’ll find its way over to this side of the water, soon enough.
Image courtesy of Volkswagen
Electric Mini available next year
The Mini Cooper SE battery electric vehicle will go on sale in 2020, according to Ars Technica. The manufacturer specified range of 148-167 miles will more likely be 150 miles between charges, and it has a 181 hp motor. From Ars Technica: Throughout Mini’s 60-year history, the brand has always been about small front-wheel-drive cars, […]
READ THE REST
Report: almost 25% of Tesla Motors Model 3 pre-orders have been refunded
Well, this should soften Elon Musk’s opinions about journalism: According to Engadget, Musk’s electric car-making baby, Tesla Motors, has had to return almost one quarter of the pre-order money it received from its American customers for the company’s delayed Tesla Model 3. From Engadget: Tesla raked in hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for its Model […]
READ THE REST
Volvo: boxy, but all electric by 2019
Volvo, the tank-like Swedish station wagon of yesteryear, is giving up on gasoline. By 2019 all new Volvo automobiles will be powered by electricity. Volvo plans to build only electric and hybrid vehicles starting in 2019, making it the first major automaker to abandon cars and SUVs powered solely by the internal combustion engine. CEO […]
READ THE REST
Get skin-deep relief with these CBD lotions and creams
Studies have shown cannabidiol (more popularly known as CBD) to be effective in two main areas: Pain relief and stress relief. Both of those make the non-psychoactive, cannabis-derived compound a natural for topical creams. There’s no shortage of CBD products out there, but here’s eight of our favorites, all specifically designed for dermatological use – […]
READ THE REST
Name your price for this library of DIY eBooks by Make:
If you’re part of the maker community, you know Make:. Though Make: magazine is off the shelves as of this year, the eBooks and resources put out by Maker Media are still a fantastic resource for the new generation of tinkerers, hackers, and robotics geeks. If you’re in that tribe, listen up: they’ve released a […]
READ THE REST
Make meals your way with this 9-in-1 programmable pressure cooker
Life isn’t getting any less hectic, and pressure cookers are a quick, healthy solution for a growing number of kitchens. But if you thought your Instant Pot was versatile, there’s a major upgrade on the market: The Yedi 9-in-1 Total Package Instant Programmable Pressure Cooker. If you’ve somehow never used a pressure cooker before, try […]