Volkswagen has finally unveiled the ID Buzz, their all-electric vans of the near-future
When we first started researching the possibility of having an all-electric campervan over four years ago we heard rumours of the ID Buzz from Volkswagen.
Since then, there has been a lot of speculation and rumours firmed up when images were released by the company. Now one of the most anticipated vehicles ever, has finally made its debut and it could become a game changer for the world of campervans.
Those images first seen two years ago showed Volkswagen where nostalgically intent on going back to the future by reverting to the iconic breadbox styling of the original VW T1.
The dual-tone paint scheme, V-angled face, short front and rear overhangs, along with a generous wraparound glasshouse are all there. All that seems to be missing is the dude in the surfer shorts hugging his board!
The other missing element is the noisy engine! The Volkswagen Buzz has done away with that and now a high-voltage 12-module lithium-ion battery pack with 82 kWh of gross energy does the grunting. We have no idea yet on price nor indeed about range but what we do know is that the 150kW motor will drive the rear axle and that the speed will be electronically limited to a maximum of 90 mph.
We have learned from Volkswagen that the ID. Buzz can handle DC fast-charging up to 170 kW, charging from 5 to 80 percent full in about 30 minutes. Each van and its battery comes with an eight year or 100,000 mile warranty.
Buzz will also bidirectional charging capable, meaning it can feed back energy into your house when necessary or convenient.
The VW Buzz is 4.7metres long just two centimetres shorter than the 4.9 metre long T6.1. and has a turning circle of 11.1 metres
Volkswagen will begin production of the ID. Buzz during the first half of 2022 at its Hannover commercial vehicles plant, ahead of the European launch later this year.
It plans to build the majority of electric drive system components, including the axles, at various plant locations around Germany.
While Volkswagen has confirmed plans for an ID. California electric camper van, it has not announced a launch timescale. But now that the specs for the basic cargo version have been confirmed we can expect tom see converters coming up with their own all lectric versions in the very near future
Expect the first camper renderings to start showing up here tin the next few weeks!
The new VW follows Tesla like tech in the cockpit. A compact, floating 10-in digital instrument display with a standard 10-in infotainment screen just to the right dominate the dash. Touch sliders provide simple temperature and volume control, and buttons access menus for the dual-zone climate control system, driver-assistance systems, and other features.
VW Passenger Cars chairman of the board Ralf Brandstätter said, “The ID. Buzz is a genuine icon for the electric era. 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.”