New video evidence suggests that the electric VW Beetle concept created for the animated film “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” is not a digital-only affair, as a full-size prototype was spotted in Paris, France, on the day of the original announcement.
The EV was parked in plain sight next to a venue that appears to be hosting an event related to the Miraculous franchise. The real-life version of the concept looks just like the 3D-generated model from the movie poster, retaining its ladybug-inspired features, exaggerated proportions, and cartoonish style. We also get a chance to see the rear end for the first time, looking very similar to the modern production Beetles from 1997 and 2011 thanks to the round taillights and the integrated duck-tail spoiler.
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The Beetle concept appeared in a video by a French YouTube channel called Paris Videostars, and on a few Instagram stories as noted by our readers Luca and J Y who were kind enough to inform us through the comments section of our previous article.
The large greenhouse and glass doors are gray, while the lighting units appear to be non-functional, suggesting that this is most likely a static model without an interior or any mechanical bits. We can also see a wedge under the right front wheel making sure that the concept won’t roll down the street. This is not the first time life-sized models of animated movie cars are being exhibited next to the props of the main characters of the film, but the Beetle’s presence in Paris raises some questions.
The footprint of the vehicle appears to be similar to the last production Beetle which was discontinued in 2019. Following the debut of the ID. Buzz last year, the former CEO of VW Herbert Diess suggested that “many other emotional cars are possible on our scalable MEB platform”. His comments fuelled the rumors about an “ID. Bug” that could share its EV-only underpinnings with other production models from the ID. family.
Only time will tell whether Volkswagen is indeed plotting the return of the Beetle for production, or if this is just another movie car with the goal of promoting the brand’s EVs to a younger demographic.
The latest interpretation of the VW Beetle spirit will star in the “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” film, alongside older VW concepts including the ID. Crozz, ID. Buzz, and ID. Vizzion. The electric bug will be driven by the main character Ladybug – a Parisian teenager/superhero – that works together with her sidekick Cat Noir.
