The pun-tastic name and deliberately cute looks might make you want to punch the nearest hippy (or possibly marketing exec) in the face but the BUDD-e electric minivan unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is a significant step towards electrification for VW. Which, given the ongoing fuss about previous 'green' tech it has sold to Americans, is probably a welcome distraction.
Described as "an avant-garde Minivan", "a portal in the future" and a "mobile interface between the world on board and the world outside" (where's that marketing exec?) the BUDD-e combines the kind of future vision you'd expect of an exhibit at a tech show like CES with some more traditional car maker engineering. In the case of the latter BUDD-e showcases a new MEB 'modular electrification kit' platform to underpin a future range of - whisper it - zero emissions VWs. This is clearly a philosophy successfully used by VW and its family of brands in conventional cars and, given the additional flexibility afforded by electric cars, not surprising to see.
From the description MEB would appear to be geared towards more compact city cars at this stage, maximising interior space on a small footprint, providing VW a cost-effective and adaptable platform that can underpin a number of very different looking vehicles and a new emphasis on connected technology.
Two motors, 112mph and 0-62 in 6.9 seconds
A 92.4kWh battery is incorporated into the floor and drives electric motors fitted to both axles - a 136hp/148lb ft one up front and a 170hp/214lb ft one at the back. VW's good friends at the American EPA say this will give a range of around 233 miles by their test; the European NEDC one suggests over 300. Top speed is 112mph, 0-62 a rather more sprightly 6.9 seconds.
Do you want to know about the technology onboard and how the BUDD-e integrates with The Internet of Things? The press release devotes over 4,000 words to this which, if you're stuck for things to do, you can read in full here. Not enough? There are then two 'features' showcasing how the BUDD-e might fit into a connected future, including one about four friends chatting over their smartphones, tablets and watches and hatching a plan to go to Vegas. So kind of like The Hangover but with an electric minivan and, we're guessing, no cameo from Mike Tyson or foul-mouthed naked Chinese man.