Five years since the world premiere of ID. BUZZ concept in January 2017 at the Detroit Motor Show, Volkswagen is getting ready to bring the all-electric Bulli to the markets. On March 9th, the company will double premiere the emission-free vehicle in two versions – ID. Buzz (5-seater) and Buzz Cargo (van).
Currently, in the final phase of trials of the ID. Buzz prototypes, the pre-production fleet is getting tested in various European cities.
Kai Grünitz, Head of Vehicle Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says “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.”
Based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, both the ID. Buzz variants will have 82 kWh (77 kWh usable) li-ion batteries. A 150 kW electric motor will provide the RWD vehicle with a torque of up to 310 Nm from a standing start. The top speed specifications are 145 km/h, electronically limited. Also, Volkswagen ID. Buzz will have a turning circle just over 11 meters.
Production of the new electric Bulli from Volkswagen will start in the first half of this year. European launches will be in the autumn. Also, the ID. Buzz is set to be marketed in the US, where it has a lot of eager fan followers.
First forerunner of the ID. Buzz made its debut 50 years ago
The ID. Buzz is incidentally not the first Bulli with an electric drive system. Fifty years ago at the Hannover Trade Fair, Volkswagen was already showing a T2 as a first prototype powered by a rear-mounted electric motor. The maximum range of 85 kilometres showed, however, that the battery technology was still far from being suitable for practical use. But even back then in 1972, the dream was born: the dream of an emission-free Bulli. In 2022 it is now becoming reality.
Datasheet for the near-production model
| Models | ID. Buzz (five-seater) / ID. Buzz Cargo (van, three seats in the front) |
| Drive system and performance | |
| Type | all-electric rear-wheel drive |
| Max. power | 150 kW |
| Max. torque | 310 Nm |
| Battery capacity | 82 kWh gross, 77 kWh net |
| Top speed | 145 km/h, electronically limited |
| Driving range | to follow at a later date |
| Turning circle | just over 11 metres |
| External dimensions | |
| Width excluding exterior mirrors | 1,985 mm |
| Height | 1937 mm (Cargo: 1,938 mm) |
| Length | 4,712 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,988 mm |
| Load sill | 619 mm (five-seater), 623 mm (Cargo) |
| Interior dimensions | |
| Luggage compartment volume ID. Buzz | up to 1,121 litres |
| Cargo compartment volume ID. Buzz Cargo | over 3.9 cubic meters |
yet.
