Volkswagen has finally pulled the wraps off the production version of its highly anticipated electric microbus or MPV - the VW ID. Buzz, in Hamburg, Germany. Slated to go on sale in Europe later this year, the modern, electric avatar of the iconic VW Bus, will be offered in two versions - the ID. Buzz for passenger segment, and the ID. Buzz Cargo for commercial vehicle segment. Like other electric vehicles in Volkswagen's ID. family the ID. Buzz is also built on the Group's Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform and is Europe's first all-electric bus and transporter range.
Like other electric vehicles in Volkswagen's ID. family the ID. Buzz is also built on the Group's Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform
Ralf Brandstatter, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said "In the 1950s, the Volkswagen Bulli stood for a new feeling of automotive freedom, independence and great emotion. The ID. Buzz picks up on this lifestyle and transfers it into our time: emission-free, sustainable, fully networked and now ready for the next big chapter: autonomous driving. With this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our ACCELERATE strategy in one product for the first time."
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The ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo come with a 77 kWh Lithium-Ion battery, paired with a 150 kW or 201 bhp electric motor
Both the ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo are being launched across Europe with a 77 kWh battery (gross energy content 82 kWh) paired with a 150 kW or 201 bhp electric motor, which - as the flat engine once did in the T1 -drives the rear axle. The battery is positioned deep down in the sandwich floor for better weight distribution. The lithium-ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using an 11 kW AC wall charger, however, it also supports DC fast charging of up to 170 kW. With a DC charger, the battery can be charged from 5 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. The driving range has not been revealed yet.
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In terms of looks and design, the ID. Buzz has taken inspiration from the VW Bus T1 model of the 1950s. The EV comes with short front overhangs and the iconic front with its V-shaped front panel between, along with modern LED headlights. The bumper comes with a unique diamond pattern grille that creates the effect of pixelation, and you also get a set of EV-style wheels. The boxy rear section comes with slim smoked LED taillights, which are connected by an LED bar. VW offers optional two-tone paintwork as well. The cabin design on the other hand is modern while the colour treatment is retro. You get the large central touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, flat-bottom steering wheel, and all other modern elements. VW even says that it has used recycled synthetic materials and the interior is completely free of any real leather.
The retro-themed cabin of the ID. Buzz gets a large central touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, flat-bottom steering wheel, and all other modern elements
Both versions measure 4,712 mm in length, 1,985 mm in width, and are at least 1,937 mm tall. However, they both come with a long wheelbase of 2,988 mm. The passenger version comes with a 5-seater cabin with a luggage capacity of 1,121 litres, which can be increased to 2,205 litres by folding the rear seats. The cargo version offers the options of having two or three seats up front, and a fixed partition separating off the 3.9-metre cargo space. Carsten Intra, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand says, "The ID. Buzz will also be used for future autonomous mobility concepts such as ride pooling - an e-shuttle service of Group subsidiary MOIA that can be booked via an app. The electric Bulli is thus also a part of the future of inner-city transport."
Both versions measure 4,712 mm in length, 1,985 mm in width, and are at least 1,937 mm tall. The CV version gets 3.9-metre cargo space
In terms of tech, both the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo gets the 'Car2X' local warning system, which utilises signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real-time. The vehicle also gets 'Front Assist' emergency braking function and, 'Lane Assist' lane-keeping assistant as standard. The top-end trim also gets 'Travel Assist with swarm data', which facilitates partially automated driving across the entire speed range and, for the first time, assisted lane-changing on the motorway. What's also new is the 'Memory Function' for automated parking on a previously saved route.
