The resurrection of the first Volkswagen Bus was often promised, but never fulfilled. Until today, because here it is, completely production-ready to be unleashed on the evil outside world. Get your surfboard from the attic, put flowers in your hair and meet the Volkswagen ID Buzz.
Highlights
- MPV and van
- Coming fall on the road
- Later also as 4×4
The Volkswagen ID Buzz is the long-awaited production version of the Microbus Concept from 2001, the Bulli Concept from 2011 and of course especially the ID Buzz Concept from 2017. What all these concepts have in common is that they were based on the Volkswagen Type 2, the first van. from VW from the early 1950s and to this day the dream car of every self-respecting hippie and surf dude. With your plank in the back to Venice Beach to feed yourself to the sharks; it didn’t get any better.
Since the ID Buzz is on the MEB platform, it is not only a nod to the first VW vans in terms of design. After all, with its engine in the back and rear-wheel drive, the Buzz is also a touch of T1 under the skin. Especially in the two-tone versions, the similarities are clearly visible, thanks to the hanging point in the nose. But the front side windows are also reminiscent of the old Bulli.
Interior
These windows contribute to good all-round visibility in the ID Buzz. It is also striking that the dashboard looks nice and spacious and quiet. The similarities to the ID3 are undeniable, but the typical clock shop button to choose between D and R is gone. ‘Switching’ is done in the ID Buzz with a lever on the steering column. The interior of the ID Buzz is largely made of recycled materials and (in the future the entire ID range) animal materials are taboo.
The passenger version of the ID Buzz is initially a five-seater and offers 1,121 liters of luggage space in that configuration, which you almost double to 2,205 with the rear seat backs flat. The order version, called Cargo, has 3.9 cubic meters of cargo space and can store two Euro pallets there. For extra long stretches, you can take the underload option, which allows stuff to slide under the seats. Also an option on the Cargo are two side-opening rear doors. The Cargo only has a sliding door on the right, the passenger version on both sides, where electrical operation is an option.
Volkswagen ID Buzz
Motorization
The ID Buzz will initially only be available with the well-known 150 kW/310 Nm motor on the rear wheels and the 82 kWh battery pack, which effectively delivers 77 kWh. Depending on the version, the ID Buzz should therefore be able to achieve around 420 km of WLTP. Charging is done with three-phase alternating current with 11 kW, direct current fast charging is done with a maximum of 170 kW, which takes you from 5 to 80 percent in just under half an hour. The top speed has been adjusted to 145 km/h, VW does not yet make a statement about the 0-100 sprint.
The ID Buzz will be launched this fall, initially with the powertrain described above. Later there will also be other battery variants, one smaller and the other larger than this one. The passenger version will also come with a longer wheelbase next year, which can then be arranged as a six- or seven-seater. The camping enthusiasts can look forward to a California and the adventurers will be served with a 4×4 version in the future.
Volkswagen ID Buzz
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl