Volkswagen has finally unveiled its long-anticipated electric microbus—the ID. Buzz—which the company claims is Europe’s first all-electric bus.
The model is the latest eco-friendly version of Bulli, Volkswagen’s microbus that became a significant cultural icon from the 60s to 80s.
“The ID. Buzz is a true icon of the electric era. A car, the likes of which only Volkswagen can build,” Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said in a news release.
“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.”
According to Volkswagen chief designer Jozef Kabaň, what makes the ID. Buzz is unique because of its proportions.
“In the T1, you are practically sitting on top of the front axle – there’s no front overhang,” he said, referring to the original classic vehicle.
Even after the safety and technology features are packed up front, this latest model has “super short overhangs,” he said.
The ID. Buzz is expected deliver between 220-250 miles of real world range. It’s not that high, but it’s enough for many use cases, including road trips.
The car has a 77kWh battery (gross Energie Content: 82 Kw), and supports 11kW AC charging as well as 170kW DC fast charging.
The 4.71m ID is outside. Buzz is a replica of the Type 2 microbus, with its V-shaped hood and two-tone paint and large VW emblems on the front and back. But ID. Buzz’s windows surrounds are painted black instead of white, and its headlights aren’t round.
The ID can be kept inside. Buzz can hold five people and their luggage. The second row of seats in Buzz can be folded down, just like any van.
The exterior color of the seats, headliner and door panels as well as the steering wheel, are white with colored accents (yellow green, orange or blue).
The floor, rear tailgate and seat pedestals as well as windshield trim and seat belts are all black. However, there are silver accents throughout such as the dashboard, door pulls and center console.
Two cup holders are located behind a panel at the lower middle of your dashboard. The removable center console contains a pull-out cup holder and two USB Type C ports.
There are two USB Type C ports and a Qi Wireless phone charger near the steering wheel. One in each sliding doors and one in either the passenger-side or cargo door. The rearview mirror houses a dashcam.
Second-row passengers have the option to use a pair oblong-shaped folding trays that are powered-operated and heated. They can also be mounted on the backsof the front seats.
The ID is similar to its predecessors. Buzz is loaded full of tech features. It has self-parking, LTE connectivity, 360-degree view, over-the-air updates, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, WiFi hotspot functionality, ID.Light for visual cues, Hello ID voice assistant, and VW’s IQ.DRIVE advanced driver assistance and safety package.
Multiple cameras are installed at the front, side mirrors, and back of the ID to enable safe driving. Buzz. There are also radar and ultrasonic sensors around.
“With this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our accelerate strategy in one product for the first time,” said Brandstätter.
The model line is manufactured at VW’s main plant in Hanover, Germany. The ID. Buzz will be available throughout Europe this autumn, with a starting cost of approximately $40,000.
The ID is now world premiered. Check out the video below from Volkswagen News.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-AOxuaSd48
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