Presented serial minivan Volkswagen ID. buzz
It was this minivan that was supposed to be the first model on the MEB electric platform. After all, the project of an old Volkswagen-style rear-engined minivan was first announced six years ago when the Volkswagen Budd-e show car debuted. In 2017, a new ID Buzz minivan concept emerged, and just now a production-ready version has been unveiled.
The comic name has been retained, although the spelling has been changed again: now ID. Buzz with dot and space. The word Buzz is not only an English verb meaning “buzz” (that's what electric cars do), but also a reference to the term Bus (“bus”), which was collectively referred to as all the rear series of Volkswagen T1 and T2 minibuses. Its new electric car inherits the overall design concept with paddle front, distinctive line on the sill and a two-tone color scheme (available at an additional cost).
However, the design has been redesigned in a modern way. Most importantly, the front seats are no longer located above the front axle, but within the wheelbase. Therefore, in front of the driver there are not two, but four body pillars, which will not have the best effect on visibility. But the developers did a good job with aerodynamics – the Cd coefficient is comparable to a car – only 0.285.
Until now, the passenger Volkswagen ID. Buzz is presented in the only version with a standard wheelbase of 2988 mm. This is about the same as the Caravelle T6.1 series (3000 mm), although the wheelbase of the new Multivan T7 series is 3124 mm. But the length of the id. Buzz is inferior to both “hydrocarbon” models – 4712 mm against 4892 mm and 4973 mm, respectively. Width – 1985 mm, height – 1937 mm. You can choose between 18″ to 21″ wheels.
But if the Caravelle and Multivan have three rows of seats, then the electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is still strictly a five-seater. This is strange, because there is clearly room for the third row – the declared trunk volume is 1211 liters at the level of the windows. And with the rear sofa folded down – 2205 liters. Folding tables can be ordered for second-row passengers.
The front panel is made according to the same patterns as other ID models: here are displays, sensors, a minimum of hardware keys. Media system – with a 12-inch screen, the ability to update “over the air” and support for the Car2X protocol for exchanging data with other cars and road infrastructure. For the seats, only synthetic materials are used, including from recycled plastic bottles – no leather!
Options include contour lighting (30 colors to choose from) and power front seats. An ice scraper (hello, Skoda!) and a bottle opener are advertised, and “Easter eggs” are scattered around the cabin in the form of emoticons or on the profile of the car itself. Automatic braking and lane keeping systems are already “in the base”, Travel Assist adaptive cruise control is an option.
As for the technique, it is typical for the MEB platform. At the presentation of the Volkswagen ID. The Buzz is offered in a single rear wheel drive version with a 204 hp, 310 Nm electric motor. So far, there is only one traction battery with a capacity of 82 kWh. The built-in AC charger is rated at 11 kW, while the DC charger is rated up to 170 kW. Also, external energy consumers and even a residential building can be connected to the minivan. The power reserve is about 400-450 km, and the maximum speed is 145 km/h.
In addition to the passenger minivan, the Volkswagen ID van has been declassified. Charging noise. It has the same dimensions and a cargo compartment with a volume of 3.9 cubic meters, on the floor of which two Euro pallets can be placed. For a surcharge, the cabin can be made triple. In the future, the family will be expanded: all-wheel drive versions, long-wheelbase versions (up to 3300 mm), three rows of seats and a 111 kWh traction battery are expected.
An identification number. Buzz will be at the Volkswagen plant in Hannover, which produces commercial models with internal combustion engines. Production will begin before the end of the first half of the year, and the start of sales in Europe is expected in the fall. The estimated price is from 55 thousand euros for the passenger version and from 48 thousand for the Cargo van. Great hopes are also pinned on the North American market, where Volkswagen rear-engined minibuses were previously in demand.