The ID. Buzz will be sufficiently quick off the line, while also having a tiny turning circle of 35 feet and an enormous cargo area.
Almost five years ago, at the 2017 Detroit International Auto Show, Volkswagen introduced a 21st-century version of their iconic T1 microbus, the all-electric ID. BUZZ. The concept got great feedback, forcing VW to put it into production. Five years later and during the final touch-up phase, the company started a countdown for ID. Buzz and Buzz Cargo March 9, 2022, premiere.
The ID. Buzz is built on VW’s new Modular Electric Driving Kit platform and will feature an 82-kWh (77-kWh usable) battery, unlike the concept’s 111-kWh unit. Still, VW promises an 80% charge in 30 minutes using a fast charger, which is comparable to most EVs nowadays. The van will only be available initially with a rear 201-hp/229 lb-ft motor, though AWD versions might arrive later.
As a result, the ID. Buzz should be quick of the line, though the top speed will be limited to 90 mph. In line with its agile nature, the electric van has a turning circle of only 35 feet, while the low center of gravity will make it stable through the corners.
Furthermore, the ID. Buzz comes with ‘Plug & Charge,’ a DC charging system that authenticates itself when connecting to a charger. This could significantly speed up the process, as current VW EVs are notorious for being hard to authenticate at the stations. As a cherry on top, there is a new feature named “bi-directional charging.” It allows the ID. Buzz to be charged from a solar panel at home and then feed the energy back during the night.
Furthermore, the ID. Buzz will get over-the-air updates on the driver-assist, infotainment, and charging systems. But the gizmo mania doesn’t end up there as the van also has the new Trained Parking function for smooth automatic maneuvering in and out of parking spaces. All this behind-the-screen magic makes the ID. Buzz world’s first semi-autonomous multi-purpose vehicle.
The ID shares a list of design elements with the original T1 Bus, such as the extremely short body overhangs, the iconic V-shaped face, and the division of body design into an upper and lower level.
The roots of the iconic T1 are also carried by the intelligent use of space inside the Buzz. Notably, the five-seater ID can load up to 1,121 liters of luggage space with all the seats filled up, which is more than double of most SUVs. Moreover, with only the front seats in place, the ID. Buzz provides ginormous 3.9 cubic meters of luggage space. Volkswagen hasn’t said much about the cockpit, but it should feature a digital freestanding instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented infotainment system, and a minimalist center console.
The ID. Buzz should enter production in the first half of this year, reaching European streets soon. The United States market will see the long-wheelbase version, with even more space for people and cargo. Let’s just hope that it lives up to its iconic predecessor!
Gallery: Volkswagen ID. Buzz
