Volkswagen announced this weekend at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California that they would be turning the I.D. Buzz concept into an all-electric reality. The 1960s Microbus’ successor will hit European, Chinese, and American roads in 2022.
Top executives of the company announced the move ahead of the automotive event, months after the debut of the modernized groovy van at the Detroit Auto Show. Since then, it has gained several design awards and the public has repeatedly asked for the car to be made.
Electric vehicles are all the rage right now and will most likely be the future of transportation. Volkswagen wants to be a part of that future and leave its mark once again with a slate of 30 energy-efficient models by 2025.
The I.D. Buzz looks like a worthy successor to the Microbus
First of all, it should be said that Volkswagen seems to have thought about it all with the upcoming I.D. Buzz. The Microbus of the modern era has taken into account design, performance, and usability to create a driving experience as timeless as the original surfer van.
Regarding design, the Buzz features the same two-colored body as its old brother, with the prototype model showcased at international events sporting a combination of bright lime yellow and white. The signature VW logo on the front is still there, of course.
Headlights have changed to increase efficiency and “communicate” going forward. LEDs on the front twinkle to indicate status changes of the vehicle, and they have shifted from big rounded eyes to elongated lights.
#VWNews. Decision to manufacture an electric #VW Microbus
based on the iconic design of the I.D. BUZZ concept. https://t.co/2hwhOeew75 pic.twitter.com/ipdFtNbhex— Volkswagen News (@vwpress_en) August 19, 2017
Volkswagen wants future-proof versatility and power
Like all the models in the I.D. lineup, the Buzz will also have its battery cells packed on the floor of the vehicle to increase both efficiency and room in the front and back.
VW’s proprietary Modular Electric Drive kit will bring in components that are compatible with the automaker’s plans further down the road. For instance, the I.D. Buzz will be semi-autonomous upon launch, but it might get fully driverless a couple of years later through updates issued by the company.
Further honoring the legacy of the retro Microbus, the all-electric version will also come in cargo and passenger models. Both will be optimized for their intended purpose while preserving the idea of space and free movement while riding in a “mobile living room.”
The seats of the van, for example, are mounted on rails that allow for 180-degree rotation and moving back and forth from the front to the back. A charging port on the taillight will be able to provide up to 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, according to Volkswagen.
The I.D. Buzz will pack 369 horsepower, which will make it capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in roughly five seconds. Not too shabby for an all-electric vehicle with a theoretical range of 300 miles upon launch in 2022.
Source: Volkswagen
