Volkswagen announced an exclusive partnership with the producers of the upcoming animated film “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” which will feature a number of EVs from the ID. family. The vehicles were redesigned for their new role but what caught our eye is the red concept of an electric VW Beetle driven by the main character.
VW refers to the digital model as “a concept car electric Beetle” and doesn’t clarify if it was created entirely for the purpose of the film, or if it previews a future concept or production vehicle. The red-painted EV retains signature traits of the iconic Beetle including the bulbous front and rear fenders. The LED round headlights are also combined with an illuminated VW emblem.
The wraparound greenhouse includes a set of full-glass doors that are integrated into the profile thanks to the body-colored fade-out pattern. The glass roof is reminiscent of the 2005 VW New Beetle Ragster Concept, although it comes with protruding round shapes in order to resemble a ladybug. The front bumper and five-spoke alloy wheels also have references to the black round dots of the animated ladybug superhero. The large greenhouse partly reveals the concept’s interior which appears to have a three-seater layout with the driver in a central position.
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Besides the Beetle, other EVs that have been redesigned for the film include the ID. Crozz, the ID. Buzz, and the ID. Vizzion, all adapted by the film’s creative team in collaboration with VW. It is not clear why Volkswagen chose concepts instead of the production models that followed – ID.5, ID. Buzz, and ID.7 respectively. We guess that the futuristic features of the former were better suited to an animated film.
The original Beetle was introduced in 1938, with Volkswagen reviving the nameplate in 1997 and 2011 before discontinuing it in 2019. Rumors about a possible EV successor of the model surfaced in 2020 when the company trademarked the e-Beetle name. Do you think that the German automaker is planning for another revival or is it just a cool concept for a children’s film?
The “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie” produced by ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family is part of a popular animated series that has already generated more than 33 billion views on YouTube and is popular on TV rankings in many countries. The film will debut in theaters starting July 5th, before becoming available to stream on Netflix on July 28. Unfortunately, the official trailer doesn’t show any vehicles, so we will have to wait for the release until we get a closer look at the electric Beetle. VW says that the EVs “will be integrated in a meaningful way into the storyline” in a quest to avoid criticism for product placement.
