After five years of excitement, German car maker Volkswagen has unveiled its ID Buzz electric microbus for the first time in a virtual event.
ID Buzz and its commercial counterpart ID Buzz Cargo arrive in Europe later this year, with a longer wheelbase version for US markets due to debut in 2023 and go on sale in 2024.
ID Buzz plays an important role as Volkswagen continues its transformation path into a leader in electric vehicles. The microbus serves as a showcase for MEB’s modular electrical architecture. It is also among the first electric trucks to be marketed specifically with families in mind.
The microbus has been slightly updated compared to the concept model that appeared in 2017. The front grille is slightly different, with larger air vents than you would normally expect from an electric car. The overall shape is boxy, with sharper corners.
But Volkswagen has stayed true to the original design, as it offers a total of 11 different colors for the electric microbus.
The first European version of the ID Buzz has a battery pack with a power capacity of 81 kW, of which 77 kW is usable.
A rear hub motor is capable of putting out 201 horsepower. But the company limits the maximum speed to 145 kilometers per hour.
VW doesn’t reveal driving range, but all speculation points to around 300 miles on a full charge. The charging power when using alternating current is 11 kW.
At the DC fast charging station, ID Buzz’s charging power increases to up to 170 kW. Volkswagen claims the microbus can be charged from 5 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
Volkswagen says ID Buzz offers Plug & Charge functionality, the standard that allows the electric vehicle to automatically identify itself and delegate it to a third-party charging station on behalf of the owner.
Volkswagen revives iconic microbus for an electric era
The German company has a reputation when it comes to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which lure car owners away from internal combustion engine cars.
The European version of the truck and its commercial equivalent comes with two-way charging, where the car can also be used as a power source for other electrical appliances or even for an entire home.
The standard ID Buzz launches with five seats, all of which are adjustable. The front seats can be moved up to 9.6 inches forward and backward. The three-person seat in the rear can be folded down or split in a 40:60 ratio. It can also be moved with a total length of 5.9 inches.
The ID Buzz comes in a six-seat configuration later, across the standard wheelbase. A seven-seater configuration is available with an extended wheelbase. The cargo version of the ID Buzz is more spacious, with an option for a single front seat and a fixed section to separate the rear storage area.
The cockpit of the ID Buzz is similar to the ID 4, with a 10-inch gauge cluster paired with a 10-inch central infotainment system. The vehicle’s software can be updated over the air and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The company emphasizes ID Buzz’s interior modularity, with a movable and removable center console. This option allows the center console to be transformed into a multifunctional box that can be moved to the middle of the second row of seats.
There is plenty of room inside for a large number of gadgets, including a laptop. The ability to remove the center console for cleaning is a big selling point for families.
The ID Buzz is one of Volkswagen’s most sustainable cars. The leather-free interior uses recycled materials.
The fabric is also made from 10 percent of pooled ocean plastic and 90% from recycled plastic bottles.
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