Volkswagen ID. Buzz explained

Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Manufacturer:Volkswagen
Production:June 2022 – present
Assembly:Germany: Hanover[1]
Designer:Einar Castillo[2] under Klaus Zyciora
Body Style:5-door minivan / panel van
Platform:Volkswagen Group MEB
Battery:82 kWh lithium-ion (RWD; 77 usable)
Width:19851NaN1
Height:19371NaN1
Model Years:2025 (North America, to commence)

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a battery electric minivan produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen. Based on the dedicated battery electric MEB platform, it is the first production electric minivan from Volkswagen and part of the Volkswagen ID. series.[3] A retro styled minivan, the design of the ID. Buzz is inspired by the Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Microbus.

The vehicle was first shown as a concept car at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle was unveiled in March 2022 with production starting in June, and European deliveries in the second half of the year with two models: a five-seater under the name ID. Buzz, and a cargo van as the ID. Buzz Cargo.[3] The U.S. production version had its North American launch in Huntington Beach, California on 2 June 2023,[4] and availability is slated for 2024 in a long-wheelbase version. This version will also be used for the California campervan variant of the ID. Buzz.

Also a reference to the sound of electricity, the name "Buzz" was derived from the word bus, as the original Volkswagen Type 2/Microbus is commonly known simply as the "Volkswagen Bus".[5]

Overview

Responding to positive feedback and strong consumer interest for the ID. Buzz Concept shown at Detroit and Geneva in 2017, CEO Herbert Diess announced in August that VW would put the vehicle into production and begin selling it in 2022.[6]

The production version of the ID. Buzz debuted on 9 March 2022. It is one of nine new Volkswagen brand models based on the MEB platform.[7] The ID. Buzz will be available in Europe the second half of 2022, and the US in 2024. Pre-orders in Europe began in May. Series production started in June, with an annual capacity of 130,000 units.[8] The first deliveries were scheduled for the third quarter of 2022;[9] the first ID. Buzz off the production line was a Cargo model, delivered to Wolfgang Kempe GmbH in Isernhagen on 15 November 2022.[10] [11]

The ID. Buzz is produced by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover;[9] because prior ID. series vehicles have been built at the Volkswagen Zwickau-Mosel Plant, the Hanover factory needed to be retooled to accommodate EV assembly.[12] Although the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant began building the MEB-based ID.4 in 2021 for the US market,[13] Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh stated in January 2022 that bringing production of US ID. Buzz models to Chattanooga is unlikely.[14]

In Europe, it will launch in two configurations, a five-seater passenger van, and a cargo van; initially, a short-wheelbase version with rear-wheel drive will be available. A seven-passenger, long-wheelbase version debuted on June 2, 2023, in Huntington Beach, California, and will be the only version for sale in the US when it goes on sale in June 2024 for the 2025 model year.[15] The ID.Buzz will be launched in Australasia alongside ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 in mid-2024.[16]

Design

According to product lead Jeffrey Lear, the styling of the ID. Buzz was chosen to "be modern and fresh and exciting for folks who may not have even been around [during the 1960s and 70s]" while retaining cues to the original Type 2 (T1)/Microbus, including the prominent front-mounted logo and (optional) two-tone paint.[17]

The designer of the ID.Buzz is Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design.[18] The coefficient of drag is 0.285 for the SWB passenger version and 0.29 for the Cargo.

Dimensions

At, the wheelbase of the ID. Buzz (SWB) is similar to that of the current Volkswagen Transporter (T6); it is wider than the T6 and features a turning circle of, which is approximately the same as a Golf.[19]

The long wheelbase version of the ID. Buzz stretches that dimension and overall length by to, respectively; US-spec ID. Buzz (LWB) have the same wheelbase but are slightly shorter, at .[20] The ID. Buzz (LWB) has three rows of seats and accommodates up to of cargo with the seats folded.[21] Compared to the SWB, the LWB sliding side doors are longer to ease access to the third row.

Interior

The SWB/RWD passenger version is equipped with five seats; behind the rear bench seat, there is of cargo area.[9] [19] Three rows of seating will be made available later; for the SWB model, each row will have two seats for a total capacity of six, while on the long-wheelbase (LWB) model, the middle row will accommodate three for a total capacity of seven.[17] With the second row folded down on the five-passenger SWB/RWD model, cargo capacity increases to .[9] The ID. Buzz Cargo has two or three seats in the first row only with a fixed partition; behind the partition, the Cargo version has a capacity of .[9] [19]

Seating surfaces use recycled plastics. There is no leather option.[17]

The vehicle's instruments are displayed on a screen.[19] In-car entertainment and climate controls are provided on a second centrally-positioned screen; the standard infotainment screen is, with a screen as an option.[17] U.S.-spec ID. Buzz (LWB) vans receive a slightly larger screen shared with the ID. 7.[20] The vehicle is equipped with up to eight USB ports.[19]

Powertrain

The short-wheelbase (SWB) version is equipped with rear-axle APP 310 motor with an output of and . The LWB version is available with an upgraded APP 550 traction motor for the rear axle with a peak output of and ;[21] [22] the increased output results from improvements to the rotor and stator, and the APP 550 also offers improved efficiency thanks to the inverter.[23] An all-wheel-drive version will be made available in 2024 for the LWB with a combined output of .[21]

The SWB/RWD version has an 81 kW-hr battery, of which 77 kW-hr are usable; the estimated driving range is . As tested, the SWB/RWD Cargo has a combined energy consumption of 2.93 mi/kWh, giving an estimated range of with the 77 kW-hr battery on the WLTP cycle. LWB versions are equipped with a larger battery, which has a gross and net capacity of 91 and 85 kW-hr, respectively;[21] the estimated maximum range is for the EPA driving cycle.[22]

The vehicle can accept power at a rate of up to 11 kW using an AC source, or 170 kW at a DC fast-charging station; at the latter rate, the 81/77 kW-hr battery will charge from 5% to 80% in 30 minutes. It will be capable of bidirectional V2X supply, supplying power to the electrical grid or a household as needed, although this feature is not expected to be implemented for the US model. A future software update is planned to allow Plug & Charge functionality, where the vehicle will authenticate itself at a compatible DC fast-charging station via the ISO 15118 standard.

Versions

Cargo

The ID. Buzz Cargo is based on the short wheelbase version with a minimal number of seats and no rear window. The rear of the vehicle, which is separated from the cab by a bulkhead partition, has of volume and can carry up to two EUR-pallets. Depending on the configuration, the cab can accommodate two (two individual bucket seats) or three (a double bench and a separate bucket for the driver) people.[24] [25]

It has dual sliding side doors and an option between a liftgate (with a window) or dual wing doors (without windows) for the rear. With the liftgate, cargo area length is ; with the wing doors, cargo length is . Interior height and maximum interior width are, respectively. Gross vehicle weight rating is and the empty kerb weight is, depending on trim, giving a payload of .[26]

Euro NCAP awarded the ID Buzz Cargo a Platinum safety rating for commercial vehicles in March 2024. It achieved the highest level in four out of six categories for AEB Car-to-Car, Lane Support Systems, Speed Assist Systems and Occupant Status Monitoring with an overall score of 83%.[27] [28]

Future development

ID. California

In December 2021, Volkswagen confirmed the ID. Buzz would be used as the basis for a future motorhome version, tentatively named ID. California.[29] In August 2023, Edison Media reported that the project was delayed due to weight concerns.[30]

Instead, VW currently market a T6-based campervan in Europe as the Volkswagen California,[31] and presented a T7 Multivan "California Concept" in August 2023 planned for 2024 and including Hybrid variants.[32]

Autonomous driving

According to the chief executive of VW Autonomy, Alex Hitzinger, the ID. Buzz minivan is the basis of Volkswagen's self-driving automobile,[33] and could be used for VW's ride-pooling service branded MOIA, competing with Uber.[34] MOIA launched in April 2019, serving Hamburg, Germany, after a 2018 trial with a small fleet of battery electric Multivan T6 vehicles.[35] The autonomous features are part of the "I.D. Pilot" mode, which is anticipated to become available in 2025.

In 2021, late prototype versions of the production ID. Buzz were fitted with autonomous vehicle hardware and software from Argo AI for testing on public roads in Munich and at the company's private test track near the Munich airport. Previously in 2019, VW had invested US$2.6 billion in Argo as part of a partnership with Ford Motor Company to develop autonomous vehicles.[36] On 26 October 2022, with Argo announcing its closure, VW said it would pursue automation technology with Bosch and Horizon Robotics instead.[37]

Sales

!Year!Production
202211,013
202335,272[38]

Concept versions

Volkswagen ID. BUZZ (concept)
Designer:Einar Castillo
Motor:APP 310 permanent magnet brushless motor
Electric Range:NaN0NaN0[39]
Wheelbase:33001NaN1[40]
Length:49421NaN1
Width:19761NaN1
Height:19631NaN1
Weight:NaN-
Predecessor:Volkswagen BUDD-e

Concept car descriptions in 2017 indicated the electric microbus could be produced in two versions: a high-end 275adj=onNaNadj=on all-wheel-drive version with one motor each on the front and rear axles and an battery pack,[41] and a less-expensive rear-wheel-drive version with an battery pack.[42]

Cargo variant

The I.D. Buzz Cargo (stylized as the ID. BUZZ CARGO) debuted at the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hannover[43] as a support vehicle for the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak Hillclimb racer. The Cargo has a maximum estimated cargo capacity of 1760lb and uses the simplified rear-drive powertrain.[44]

The Cargo prototype was shown in October 2019 at Nike stores in Santa Monica, California; Chicago; and New York City with retro livery branded "Blue Ribbon Sports", the predecessor company to athletic apparel manufacturer Nike, Inc.[45]

The concept vehicle was first shown as a prototype at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit,[46] then shown again at Geneva in March.[47] Members of the automotive press were invited to drive the concept during Monterey Car Week later that year, in August,[48] where it was also announced that a production vehicle based on this prototype will be launched.[49]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 2018-11-16. VW confirms electric vehicle plants in Emden & Hanover. Electrive. 2021-08-17. 2021-08-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210817110044/https://www.electrive.com/2018/11/16/vw-specifies-factory-setup-for-emden-hanover/. live.
  2. News: 2022-05-13. The new ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo: Clean design along classic lines for modern-day mobility. Volkswagen. 2021-08-17.
  3. Web site: Rebirth of an icon: Countdown launched for the electric ID. Buzz!. 2022-02-20. VW Media.
  4. News: Connelly . Laylan . Love the VW Bus? The new electric version was just unveiled in Surf City . 2 June 2023 . . 2 June 2023.
  5. Web site: 2022-03-09 . The Volkswagen ID Buzz wants to be the ultimate electric family car . 2022-12-06 . Top Gear . en.
  6. News: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Officially Going Into Production by 2022 . August 19, 2017 . Nishimoto . Alex . Motor Trend . 11 March 2022.
  7. News: Perkins . Chris . 19 August 2017 . Confirmed! Electric VW Microbus Coming . . live . 2019-06-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190617133947/https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a12036821/vw-electric-microbus-confirmed/ . 2019-06-17.
  8. Web site: 2022-06-03 . Series production of the ID. Buzz begins in Germany . 2022-06-03 . electrive.com . en-US.
  9. A Bulli for the all-electric future: World premiere of the new ID. Buzz . March 9, 2022 . Wolfsburg/Hanover . Volkswagen Newsroom . 10 March 2022.
  10. News: VW Commercial Vehicles begins rolling out the ID. Buzz . November 15, 2022 . electrive . 8 December 2022.
  11. Web site: Volkswagen ID. Buzz: The Return of the Bus . ELMENS. January 14, 2021 . 10 January 2024.
  12. News: VW's ID.Buzz Microbus U.S. Launch Delayed to 2023 . Baldwin . Roberto . January 14, 2021 . Car and Driver . 11 March 2022.
  13. News: VW Gets Ready for ID.4 Production in Chattanooga . Ramey . Jay . August 23, 2021 . Autoweek . 11 March 2022.
  14. News: Volkswagen giving electric vehicles chip priority as assembly to start in Chattanooga plant . Pare . Mike . January 19, 2022 . Chattanooga Times Free Press . registration . 11 March 2022 . However, Keogh said he doesn't see production of the ID.Buzz, the much-awaited electric vehicle that hearkens back to the Microbus, coming to Chattanooga. He said he didn't think there will be enough volume for the vehicle to warrant production in the U.S. The American version of the ID.Buzz isn't expected go on sale in the U.S. until late 2023 or 2024, Keogh said..
  15. News: VW Confirms Debut of 2025 ID.Buzz LWB U.S.-Spec Version on June 2 . Capparella, Joey . May 18, 2023 . Car and Driver . 30 May 2023.
  16. News: 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 and ID.3 electric car roll-out detailed for Australia . Misoyannis, Alex . 9 June 2022. Drive Australia . 9 June 2022.
  17. News: Hawkins . Andrew J. . March 9, 2022 . 2024 Volkswagen ID Buzz electric microbus revealed: less flower, more power . The Verge . 10 March 2022.
  18. Web site: Sonntag . Max . 2022-03-05 . VW ID.Buzz - Interview mit VW-Chefdesigner Klaus Szyciora . 2022-12-08 . Electric Drive Magazin . de-DE.
  19. White . Jeremy . March 9, 2022 . Volkswagen's Electric ID Buzz Has Landed and Looks Well Worth the Wait . Wired . 10 March 2022.
  20. News: VW ID Buzz debuts three-row electric Microbus for the US with more power and space . Golson, Daniel . June 2, 2023 . The Verge . 2 June 2023.
  21. Electric VW bus for North America and Europe: world premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase . June 2, 2023 . Volkswagen Newsroom . 2 June 2023.
  22. News: 2025 VW ID Buzz 3-Row First Look: The Van Americans Will Finally Get! . Gold, Aaron . Lim, Brandon . June 2, 2023 . Motor Trend . 2 June 2023.
  23. New drive for the all-electric ID. family: more performance and higher efficiency . April 12, 2023 . Volkswagen Newsroom . 5 June 2023.
  24. News: Testfahrt VW ID. Buzz: Das kann der elektrische VW-Bus . Test drive VW ID. Buzz: The electric VW bus . Thomas . Geiger . ADAC . de-DE . Germany . 2022-03-09 . 2022-04-07.
  25. News: VW ID. Buzz Cargo (2022): Preis & Reichweite . VW ID. Buzz Cargo (2022): Price & Reach . Dominik . Mothes . Auto Zeitung . de . Germany . 2022-05-18 . 2022-06-23.
  26. Web site: The new ID. Buzz Cargo Brochure . 17 August 2022 . Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles . 6 December 2022.
  27. Web site: Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo electric van review (2024) . 2024-03-27 . Van Reviewer . en-GB.
  28. Web site: Official VW ID. Buzz 2022 safety rating . Euro NCAP . December 2022 . 2024-04-10.
  29. News: VW Very Obliquely Confirms the ID. Buzz Will be Offered as a Camper . Vaughn . Mark . December 10, 2021 . Autoweek . 10 March 2022.
  30. News: VW ID. Buzz California EV Camper Delayed Due To Weight Concerns: Report . Aug 11, 2023 . InsideEV . 3 October 2023.
  31. News: VanLife! A Three-Day Road Trip in the VW T6 California, Which We Will Never, Ever Get Here . Vaughn . Mark . May 2, 2018 . Autoweek . 10 March 2022.
  32. News: Volkswagen California Concept EV Unveiled, Might be the Ultimate Camper Van - TechEBlog . Aug 24, 2023. 3 October 2023.
  33. Interview: VW's hip, all-electric ID Buzz van is a platform for its self-driving efforts . Bradley Berman . Alex Hitzinger . electrek . 16 March 2020 . 20 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200320181411/https://electrek.co/2020/01/10/interview-vws-hip-all-electric-id-buzz-van-is-a-platform-for-its-self-driving-efforts/ . live .
  34. News: VW I.D. Buzz Microbus confirmed for 2022 release . August 20, 2017 . Auto Express . 16 March 2020 . 14 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170814003200/http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/98136/volkswagen-boss-confirms-id-buzz-concept-to-make-production . live .
  35. News: Mobile, Modern, MOIA: In Hamburg, the future of mobility begins this Monday . April 2019 . Volkswagen AG . 16 March 2020 . 7 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234805/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2019/04/moia-officially-starts-in-hamburg.html . live .
  36. News: VW is reviving its iconic microbus as an electric robotaxi . Hawkins . Andrew J. . September 6, 2021 . The Verge . 10 March 2022.
  37. News: Volkswagen no longer investing in self-driving startup Argo AI . Schwartz, Jan . Waldersee, Victoria . 26 October 2022 . Reuters . 8 December 2022.
  38. Annual Report 2023 . Volkswagen . Germany . 2024-03-13 . 2024-06-03.
  39. News: Volkswagen Confirms Electric I.D. Buzz Production. 10 September 2017. Autotrader.com. 9 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170909100503/http://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatures/20170619/volkswagen-confirms-electric-i-d-buzz-production/. live.
  40. Web site: 2017 Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ Concept. ConceptCarz.com. 10 September 2017. 11 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911071408/http://www.conceptcarz.com/s26999/Volkswagen-ID-BUZZ-Concept.aspx. live.
  41. NAIAS 2017 in Detroit: Volkswagen presents the ID. BUZZ . January 9, 2017 . Volkswagen Group Newsroom . 16 March 2020 . 20 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200520025824/https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/naias-2017-in-detroit-volkswagen-presents-the-id-buzz-1428 . live.
  42. News: Lambert . Fred . VW announces that it is bringing its all-electric microbus to production in 2022 . Electrek . 2017-08-17 . 2019-06-18 . 2019-06-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190618022509/https://electrek.co/2017/08/19/vw-all-electric-microbus-production-2022/ . live .
  43. News: VW I.D. Buzz Cargo: EV microbus gets a commercial version . Kautonen . Antti . September 20, 2018 . Autoblog . 16 March 2020 . 19 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200619225749/https://www.autoblog.com/2018/09/20/vw-i-d-buzz-cargo-ev-microbus-van/ . live .
  44. Volkswagen ID. BUZZ CARGO: The electric van that could deliver the future . November 29, 2018 . Volkswagen of America Newsroom . 16 March 2020 . 2 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200302235148/http://newsroom.vw.com/vehicles/volkswagen-i-d-buzz-cargo-the-electric-van-that-could-deliver-the-future/ . live .
  45. Nike offers pop-up experiences across America starring the Volkswagen ID. BUZZ CARGO . October 15, 2019 . Volkswagen of America Newsroom . 16 March 2020 . 17 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162756/http://newsroom.vw.com/vehicles/nike-offers-pop-up-experiences-across-america-starring-the-volkswagen-id-buzz-cargo/ . live .
  46. News: Volkswagen ID Buzz concept is an electric microbus for the autonomous future . Goodwin . Antuan . January 8, 2017 . Road/Show . CNet . 16 March 2020 . 16 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200516194349/https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/volkswagen-i-d-buzz-concept-is-an-electric-microbus-for-the-autonomous-future/ . live .
  47. News: Volkswagen ID Buzz concept continues new-age nostalgia tour in Geneva . Krok . Andrew . March 3, 2017 . Road/Show . CNet . 16 March 2020 . 11 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193757/https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/volkswagen-id-buzz-concept-continues-new-age-nostalgia-tour-in-geneva/ . live .
  48. News: VW's adorable I.D. Buzz hits dealerships in 2022, but we drove it, today. Stevens . Tim. 10 September 2017. Roadshow. CNET.com. 19 August 2017. 11 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911071647/https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2022-volkswagen-i-d-buzz/preview/. live.
  49. Web site: The I.D. BUZZ goes into production . September 2017 . Volkswagen AG . 16 March 2020 . 4 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201004152523/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2017/09/id-buzz-goes-into-production.html . live .