Even if the Restomod is unmistakably recognizable as a Beetle, the new edition has almost nothing in common with the donor vehicle apart from the body and floor pan.
Milivié changed the proportions of the VW Beetle
The design is clean. Chrome parts, bumpers and rain gutters are removed without further ado, as are window frames and hinged windows. The exterior mirrors have been swapped for modern counterparts, and the classic bow handles make way for recessed door handles. What is not necessarily obvious at first glance: the proportions have also been revised.
The front hood was moved forward by eight centimeters and flattened. The bonnet has an integrated duck-tail spoiler (German: Bürzel). Headlights and taillights give way to minimalist LED units.
Visually, the Milivié 1 is rounded off by 19-inch rims, which are huge compared to the original tires. Last but not least, all VW logos are replaced with Milivié emblems.
Inside, the makeover is even more stark. Instead of the original instruments, Milivié GmbH, founded by Jonathan Engler, ordered an XXL digital cockpit in the Mercedes MBUX style. The two 12.3-inch screens have self-developed software; and as a small retro allusion, displays in the style of the original Beetle instruments are planned.
Carbon bucket seats in the interior
When it comes to color and material selection, customers should have a free choice. As a small bonus, each of the 22 planned copies will be delivered with a matching piece of luggage.
It is important to mention at this point that the pictures shown here are only illustrations and the completion of the first customer vehicle is announced for July 2023.
There is little left of the original here. Modern cockpit with widescreen displays in the Milivié 1.
This brings us to the engine of the Restomods. In the rear sits a Type 1 boxer with a displacement of 2.28 liters, two Weber carburetors and an electronic ignition system. The young start-up is not yet revealing performance data – but it should be significantly more than the maximum 50 hp of the 1303 S (with 1.6-liter four-cylinder boxer).
Porsche Tiptronic for the Restomod
Due to the additional power that has not yet been specifically mentioned, the chassis will also be adjusted. Milivié uses double wishbones at the front and rear, the springs are specially adapted KW V3, and the entire chassis is fully adjustable.
Deceleration is provided by 343 millimeter disc brakes all around; with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.
The central double pipe exhaust is reminiscent of Porsche’s GT models, the LED taillights are filigree.
If all goes well, the first of just 22 planned customer vehicles should be delivered in around a year, i.e. around mid-2023. All production should be completed in May 2025.
However, an obstacle for those interested could be the price, because the previously unknown company calls a self-confident 570,000 euros for the basic version. There are also other dream cars or restomods with significantly more prestige for this price.
Perhaps the lack of prestige is also a reason why the makers of well-known restomods have avoided the VW Beetle so far.
