In late February, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles teased the e-Bulli, a T1 Samba Bus converted to run exclusively on electricity.

The vehicle was supposed to debut at the Techno Classica 2020 show in Essen but since the event got postponed (like many others due to the coronavirus outbreak), VW had decided to reveal the vehicle online.

Here it is, then: a 1966 VW T1 Samba Bus featuring a modern-day electric drive from the latest Volkswagen EVs. What you see in the photos is not just a one-off as VW Commercial Vehicles partner eClassics is planning to offer similar T1 conversions and T1 complete vehicles in the style of the new e-Bulli.

See Also: VW Electrifies Classic 1972 Type 2 Bus With The Help Of EV West

The classic passenger van now packs a 61 kW (83 PS / 82 HP) electric motor instead of the stock 32 kW (44 PS / 43 HP) four-cylinder boxer gasoline engine. The peak torque of the electric drive unit is 212 Nm (156 lb-ft), more than twice the force of the original engine which delivered 102 Nm (75 lb-ft).

With double power and torque, with the latter instantly available, it goes without saying that the e-Bulli is much faster than in stock form. The top speed is electronically limited at 130 km/h (81 mph) to protect the battery, compared to 105 km/h (65 mph) with the original gasoline engine.

The electric motor is connected to a one-speed transmission coupled to a gear lever positioned between the front seats. Looking anything but period-correct, it manages the transmission settings (P, R, N, D, B), with ‘B’ allowing the driver to vary the degree of energy recovery when braking.

Just like the boxer engine, the electric motor and transmission are mounted in the back of the VW e-Bulli, driving the rear wheels. A 45-kWh lithium-ion battery housed centrally in the vehicle floor offers a driving range of more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) and can be charged up to 80 percent in 40 minutes using DC fast-charging with 50 kW of charging power.

Another area of the VW e-Bulli that has undergone modifications to offer a more contemporary driving experience is the chassis. Engineers redesigned it using multi-link front and rear axles with adjustable shock absorbers and coil-over struts, a new rack-and-pinion steering system and four internally ventilated disc brakes.

Finally, the e-Bulli also features updated exterior and interior design. On the outside, highlights include a two-tone paintwork in ‘Energetic Orange Metallic’ and ‘Golden Sand Metallic MATTE’, round LED headlamps with DRLs and rear LED charge indicators.

The interior features a dual-tone ‘Saint Tropez’ and ‘Saffrano Orange’ scheme, solid wood flooring, new automatic transmission selector lever, start/stop button for the electric motor, new speedometer with integrated two-digit display, a tablet integrated into the roof console, and a retro-style radio equipped with modern technology.

A VW T1 e-Bulli EV conversion like this one will set you back €64,900 ($69,200) at eClassics, which also offers similar swaps for T2 and T3 vans.

VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k
VW e-Bulli Is A 1966 T1 ‘Samba Bus’ Restomod Gone Electric, Costs $70k