VW unveils groovy ID.Buzz EV

Volkswagen has finally unveiled the latest version of one of its most iconic vehicles, the ID.Buzz. The groovy microbus made its world premiere in Hamburg and marked the arrival of Europe’s first all-electric passenger and cargo van.

“The ID.Buzz is a genuine icon for the electric era. A car, the likes of which only Volkswagen can build. 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. With this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our Accelerate strategy in one product for the first time,” said VW Passenger Cars Chairman of the Board Ralf Brandstätter.

Taking inspiration from the original T1 van, the ID.Buzz features a V-shaped panel at the fore flanked by charismatic LED headlights. The lights on the rear reflect the design of that on the front end.

Volkswagen says that the ID.Buzz comes in two paint options: a solid-colored and a two-tone finish. One wonders if they’ll ever release an ID. Buzz “Mystery Machine” edition though.

The cabin can be customized to match the paintwork on the exterior. According to VW, the seat cushions, the dash panel, and the door trim can be had in a wide variety of hues. The interior lighting also adds an atmospheric accent to the interior of the electrified Bulli.

Some interior elements like the steering wheel, seat covers, floor covers, and headliner, are made using sustainable materials.

Power will come from a 77kWh battery paired with a 150kW electric motor. The lithium-ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using an 11kW alternating current (AC). It can also be charged using a CCS plug connector at a DC rapid-charging station (direct current) which increases the charging power to 170kW and juices up the battery from five to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

The ID.Buzz is also capable of bi-directional charging, allowing the van to feed unnecessary power from the battery into the customer's home network (Vehicle-to-Home). The power transfer and communication are managed using a special DC bi-directional wall box.

As a van designed for the electric era, the ID.Buzz not only has a multifunctional battery but also comes with the “Car2X” local warning system. This technology uses signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real-time. In addition, the ID. Buzz comes with a front assist emergency braking function, lane assist, travel assist with swarm data, and memory function.

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz will be available as a five-seater passenger van and a three-seater cargo van.

“Both versions of the ID.Buzz are pioneering in terms of their sustainability: their manufacture and shipping has a carbon-neutral footprint. We are also using recycled synthetic materials and the interior is completely free of any real leather. The ID. Buzz will also be used for future autonomous mobility concepts such as ridepooling — an e-shuttle service of Group subsidiary MOIA that can be booked via an app. The electric Bulli is thus also a part of the future of inner-city transport,” said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand Chairman of the Board of Management Carsten Intra.

The ID.Buzz will initially be released in Europe starting this autumn (from September to November) and will soon be released in the US and Canada.

Photos from Volkswagen

Also read: 

VW’s I.D. Buzz Cargo Van Concept Blasts from the Past and into the Future

Volkswagen Group to showcase intelligent mobility solutions at ITS World Congress

VW ID Buzz debuts tomorrow, features stylish, sustainable interior