The Volkswagen buggy up! Concept

The Volkswagen buggy up! concept is inspired by the 1960s' Californian beach buggies. The buggies, pioneered by people including American Bruce Meyers, started with the Beetle chassis and engine, replacing the steel body with glass fibre to create agile and fun vehicles.

The lightweight steeling construction of the two seater Volkswagen buggy up! brings the beach buggy up to date. The buggy is based on the Volkswagen up, features the original (reinforced) underbody, running hear and drive technology. The exterior - featuring no roof or doors - has been completely redesigned, and the ride height is 20mm lower. The bonnet is flatter, the bumpers are reworked and the rear has seen a complete redesign.

The bootlid is constructed with two pieces, the main section lifts upward like a saloon bootlid, but the section above the bumper folds down in a similar fashion to a pick-up's tailgate to allow for easy stowing of bulky items. The top of the lid also features tie-down straps for luggage.

The seats are neoprene covered and are 58mm lower than those in the production model. The basic angle of the steering wheel has been reduced by the Volkswagen buggy up! designers to 21 degrees, creating a driving position similar to a go-kart. The front passenger benefits from a handle on the dash panel.

The Volkswagen buggy up! features a rudimentary fabric roof and a waterproof interior. The seats, sills and floor all feature drains. The controls for the infotainment system - which is iPod compatible - are also water proof and the entire module, including the speakers, can be removed.