Volkswagen I.D. Beach Buggy to return as concept?

The clearest hint yet of Volkswagen’s electric buggy concept comes in the form of a Christmas greeting card, according to Autocar. The German automaker depicted an open-topped, tall-riding car driven by what appears to be Santa Claus in its teaser, and is said to have plans for the classic Meyers Manx buggy to be revived as an electric vehicle.

The forthcoming buggy concept, still under wraps and under construction, is a modern interpretation of the original rear-engined Beetle-based Manx buggy, Autocar describes. It will feature ‘key elements of the MEB platform’, as well as the electric driveline bound for the I.D. Hatchback.

Large wheels and a roll-over bar comprise some of its off-road design cues, while a free-standing windscreen and open-top design over a low-set body make up the al fresco part of its identity.

The new beach buggy EV is one of three retro-themed I.D. models that will come from Volkswagen, Autocar quotes a source as saying, and is intended to complement the I.D. Buzz van along with a third I.D. model.

The buggy is under ‘active consideration’ by Volkswagen bosses as a possible addition to the zero-emissions range of I.D. models; thus far, a production version of the I.D. Hatchback is slated for public unveiling in the third quarter of 2019. The company has also revealed that the I.D. Hatchback will be priced similar to a Golf diesel. As for the buggy itself, current plans have it charted for its concept unveiling at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

GALLERY: Volkswagen I.D. Hatch concept