nostalgia meets the electric era — volkswagen debuts the ID. BUZZ microbus

FROM WOODSTOCK ALL THE WAY TO THE PRESENT DAY

extending from the german economic miracle, via the american woodstock festival, all the way to the present day, volkswagen has finally unveiled the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz cargo. the two zero-emission vehicles transfer the design of one of the greatest automobile icons – the T1 – to the era of electric mobility.

‘the ID. Buzz is a genuine icon for the electric era,’ said ralf brandstätter, chairman of the board of management of volkswagen passenger cars. ‘a car, the likes of which only volkswagen can build. in the 1950s, the volkswagen bulli stood for a new feeling of automotive freedom, independence and great emotion. the ID. Buzz picks up on this lifestyle and transfers it into our time: emission-free, sustainable, fully networked and now ready for the next big chapter: autonomous driving. with this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our accelerate strategy in one product for the first time.’

the VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ IS MADE AND SHIPPED WITH A CARBON-NEUTRAL FOOTPRINT

a first for an MPV and van range, volkswagen’s ID. buzz is made and shipped with a carbon-neutral footprint. its electric mobility, intelligent interlocking of the driver assist and information centers, over-the-air updates of the software, and the compatibility with new mobility concepts makes this new vehicle not just progressive but also versatile. making sure design follows function, the compact overall length of 4,712 mm is accompanied by what in comparison is a very long wheelbase (2,988 mm). it has a drag coefficient of 0.285, reducing energy consumption and increasing range.

‘the ID. buzz brings a lot of endearing charm and affinity with people back onto the road,’ said jozef kabaň, head of the volkswagen design. ‘in the T1 you are practically sitting on top of the front axle – there’s no front overhang. while providing everything of relevance to safety and technology, the ID. buzz has wonderfully short overhangs.’

both models — the ID.Buzz and ID. Buzz cargo — are launching across europe with a 77kWh battery, providing power to a 150 kW electric motor which drives the rear axle. the battery has been integrated in the sandwich floor together with the lightweight electric drive system, resulting in a good distribution of weight and a low vehicle center of gravity.

the new face of the ID. takes cues from the original T1 and brings it to our present times, highlighting a sustainable form of mobility. the design continues with the iconic V-shaped front panel between the charismatic LED headlights.

‘the T1 – an icon of the 1950s – enabled people to gain mobility and freedom. with the ID. buzz, we are transferring this T1 DNA to the present day and thus into the era of electric mobility,’ continued jozef kabaň, head of volkswagen design. ‘the ID. buzz brings a lot of sympathy and proximity to people back to the road.’

the new bulli allows passengers to experience a thoughtfully designed, spacious interior. in the lounge-like, friendly ambience of the MPV version, five people have ample room for travelling and for their luggage (1,121 liters of capacity). if the second row of seats is folded down, the load capacity increases to up to 2,205 liters. two or three seats up front, as the customer desires, and a fixed partition separating off the 3.9 m3 cargo space are distinctive features of the ID. buzz cargo. the zero-emission cargo version can take two loaded euro pallets, loaded in transversely.

the ID. buzz model line is being produced by volkswagen commercial vehicles at its main plant in hanover. european pre-sales start in may, market launch in the autumn.

read more about the interiors on designboom here