e-Bulli project replaces air motor with 83 hp electric propulsion and modernizes interior with digital panel and wooden floor
Volkswagen has chosen the 2026 Bremen Classic Motorshow in Germany to showcase a fusion between its most glorious past and the electrified present. The automaker unveiled the e-Bulli, an official reinterpretation based on the iconic 1966 Kombi Samba. The project falls into the category of “electromod” — a term that designates the restoration of old vehicles with the implementation of contemporary propulsion and comfort technologies.
The main change is radical: the noisy air-cooled boxer engine leaves the scene and a fully electric powertrain enters. The model received an 83 hp engine and 21,6 kgfm of immediate torque — specifications similar to those of the compact e-Up. In practice, the new “Old Lady” has twice the power of the original model from the mid-60s.
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To sustain this new performance, VW engineering had to intervene in the chassis. The braking system and suspension have been resized to handle the weight and dynamics of the electric kit, which is powered by a 58 kWh battery — with technology derived from the ID family and fast recharging capacity of up to 100 kW.
Visually, the e-Bulli preserves the identity of Samba, but with modern refinements. The bodywork sports a two-tone paint job in metallic orange and matte sand, while the round headlights now house LED daytime running projectors. Inside, the contrast between eras is even more evident: the gear lever has been replaced by a selector on the center console.
The finish seeks an air of naval sophistication, with real wood parquet-style floors and two-tone leather seats. However, in order not to totally hurt nostalgia, Volkswagen kept the original steering wheel: thin, large and in an almost horizontal position, a trademark of the Kombi’s handling.
