Volkswagen has finally revealed the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo without camo, as well as providing details of some of the new vehicles' features. The reveal follows a tour across Europe during which pre-production models visited a variety of major cities on the continent as well as London.
With the camo now dropped, the ID. Buzz has been revealed to be fairly true to the 2017 concept which first appeared in Detroit. It has clearly been made a bit more conservative, but it still takes numerous design cues from the original and iconic T1 and T1-based Bulli camper.
Minimal overhangs, rear sliding doors and the division of the car’s top and bottom halves, which can be specified with two-tone paint all feature. Jozef Kabaň, Head of Volkswagen Design, said: “In the T1 you are practically sitting on top of the front axle – there’s no front overhang. For all its safety relevance and technology, the ID. Buzz has super short overhangs."
There’s even a subtle v shape to the front end, just like the original T1. Kabaň concluded: “The ID. Buzz is timeless, sustainable and yet also extremely functional – that makes it unique.”
Like the original T1, the ID. Buzz and its derivatives are rear-wheel drive. Volkswagen’s MEB platform is the basis upon which it is built, with the 201bhp, 229lb-ft motor in situ, which should offer ample performance. VW has limited the top speed to 90mph.
Battery-wise, VW is giving the ID. Buzz the larger 77kWh unit as seen in other MEB-based cars like the ID.3, 4 and 5. It’s situated between the axles, and the German brand reckons the Buzz should be a fairly agile car to drive with an 11 metre turning circle. No range figures have yet been released but 200 plus miles seems more than possible.
In terms of charging, VW is making much of ‘plug and charge’ tech whereby the Buzz will authenticate itself with numerous providers via the charging connector, doing away with some of the rigmarole of charging. Bidirectional charging is also going to be possible, which is fantastic news for anyone interested in smart charging or using their car as a back-up battery for their home.
The VW ID. Buzz and Buzz Cargo are 4712mm long, 1985mm wide and 1937mm tall. This makes it slightly shorter in length and height than the current T6.1 van that Volkswagen sells. The Buzz is slightly wider, but overall its dimensions are very much that of a large car.
Five seats come as standard in the ID. Buzz, whilst the Cargo version has a front bench seat for three. A longer wheelbase is planned which will almost certainly come with up to seven seats. Even with all five seats occupied, the ID. Buzz will have 1121-ltres of luggage space, whilst the Buzz Cargo gets 3.9 cubic metres with a dividing wall in place between the cabin and the load bay.
Whilst the particulars of thigs like driver aids and infotainment will become apparent after the official debut, all cars within the ID. Buzz family get over-the-air updates for on-board software. What VW has told us is that the Buzz will gain a new ‘trained parking’ auto park and auto exit function and Car2X warnings which uses data from other VW Group cars to warn of hazards and traffic.
Volkswagen has opened orders for the new ID. Buzz with prices for the 'Life' trim level starting at £57,115. This buys LED headlights, a heated windscreen, 'Buzz box' removeable storage, Discover Pro navigation and infotainment delivered via a 10-inch touchscreen plus wireless mobile charging. The ID. Buzz Style starts at £61,915 and adds various lighting options, with the range-topping 1st Edition selling for £62,995 which gains additional safety, security and convenience features as well as a larger 12 inch touchscreen and 21 inch wheels.
There's no firm word on deliveries, but late 2022 or early 2023 seems likely.
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