New Volkswagen ID.Buzz Concept
On By
After years of waiting, Volkswagen’s highly anticipated electric van nears production with sales expected to begin later this year.
The German carmaker has teased the creation of a new Type 2 microbus-style people carrier for as long as two decades now with a Bulli concept arriving in 2011 and the first iterations of the ID.Buzz being displayed in 2017.
The affectionately named ‘hippie van’ has had many nicknames over the years and stands to be one of Volkswagen’s most iconic models. This new retro concept will integrate many of the classic styling cues and latest electric technology into an old favourite.
The new Buzz will be a versatile vehicle with a long electric range. It’ll be available as a 5-seater passenger car and as a 3 seater van that’ll be labelled as an ID.Buzz Cargo.
Pictures of the Cargo model have been released by Volkswagen in a concealed swirly wrap ahead of a full reveal that is expected to arrive next month.
What’s special about the new Buzz is that it’s been built from the ground up as an electric van as opposed to adapting an existing ICE van into an electric one. This allows the Buzz to fully embrace the latest cutting edge electric technology.
It’ll sit upon VW’s versatile MEB platform with a coil suspension and tight turning circle. The only official powertrain option at the moment is the 150kW RWD version, which should provide 201bhp plus 229lb of torque. The van will also have an electronically limited top speed of 90mph.
An all-wheel-drive variant with a twin-motor and longer wheelbase is due to arrive too.
The ID.Buzz looks like it’ll be a vehicle that comes in many shapes and sizes but it’s worth noting that even at its smallest the Buzz will still measure at least a foot longer and wider than the iconic Type 2.
That being said, the latest concept is smaller in size than the existing Volkswagen Transporter and Multivan, meaning it’s very suitable for car parks and parking spaces.
When the Buzz finally goes on sale later this year pricing is expected to be below £50,000.