Car reviewers in Europe have gotten their hands on the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the all-electric redesign of the company’s iconic Kombi – also known as the Bulli, Multivan, or Caravelle – ahead of an official world premiere now set for March 9.
Ever since the ID. Buzz first premiered as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2017 interest has grown, and the generally positive feedback gave Volkswagen no other choice than to put its all-electric Kombi into full production for commercial release.
After five years of intensive development, Volkswagen is now ready to officially launch the ID. Buzz at a world premiere on March 9 where it will debut both the ID. Buzz 5-seater civilian van and the Buzz Cargo commercial van.
Built on the same Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform as the Volkswagen ID. 4, the ID. Buzz will be fitted with an 82kW (77kW net) lithium-ion battery delivering power to a 150kW motor.
With a top speed of 145km/h and with maximum torque of 310Nm, the Buzz is expected to eventually be reworked with a bigger battery pack with bigger output, and maybe even a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model – though no official word has been given, despite the number of unofficial nods and winks offered the way of reviewers and car journalists.
No official figures are yet available for electric range but given that the Buzz matches up in many regards to the VW ID. 4, we are hoping for something in excess of around 320-kilometres.
Volkswagen is currently taking its fleet of ID. Buzz pre-production models on trial around Europe do conduct final test runs under everyday conditions between Barcelona, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Hannover.
“Before we start full production of the ID. Buzz, these final trials with vehicles practically matching the ultimate full-production specification provide us with indispensable input for the final fine-tuning,” said Kai Grünitz, head of vehicle development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
While the production versions of the new ID. Buzz appear to still be a step away from the original design of the 2017 prototype that garnered almost unanimous praise, they are nevertheless not as big a step away as we feared during the intervening years, as prototype models were caught trundling around European roads.
Volkswagen is understandably proud of the fact that it has not simply electrified older versions of its Multivan but has in fact built an electric Bulli/Kombi from the ground up.
The multivariable civilian ID. Buzz boasts five seats while the commercial ID. Buzz Cargo unsurprisingly has only three seats. But Volkswagen has also promised to add a new model during the coming year that will boast a longer wheelbase and what the company describes as “a correspondingly broader range of possibilities in the interior.”
The release ID. Buzz and Buzz Cargo will measure in with a wheelbase of 2,988mm and total length of 4,712mm – only two millimetres different to that of the Volkswagen Transporter 6.1. Measuring 1,937mm tall and 1,985mm wide, the Buzz will offer rim sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches and the civilian model will offer glass around the vehicle.
Cargo size will also be impressive, with the ID. Buzz offering up to 1,121-litres of luggage with all five seats filled, while the maximum load capacity for the ID. Buzz Cargo, fitted as it is with a partition wall, measures in at 3.9m3.
With a European launch expected for September and launches in the United States and Australia expected for 2023, car reviewers able to travel to Europe have nevertheless been able to get their hands on camouflaged production versions of the ID. Buzz, and the news is good.
“It’s brilliant to drive,” said Top Gear. “The electric age needs a new shape, a new style. Here it is.”
Motor1 video director Clint Simone took an ID. Buzz for a drive around London, and despite the shared platform and powertrain with the ID.4, found that the experience of driving the Buzz provided a unique driving position thanks to huge side windows situated forward of the passenger doors that provide a “commanding” view forward.
He noted the strong acceleration and easy passing speeds, unlike common vans, and “fantastic” noise insulation, even on highway speeds.
Some European customers may frown at the limited top speed of 140-kilometres – which is set in place to reduce rapid range depletion – but in conclusion, Motor1’s Simone found that there was “a lot to like” but that the “van’s success will ultimately depend on how much Volkswagen leans into the nostalgia factor.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.