Few car manufacturers understand the power of nostalgia like Volkswagen. (Consider the Beetle, for example.) With the lingering reputation from the Dieselgate scandal, VW introduced a new concept at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, merging its nostalgic heritage with modern technology: the VW I.D. Buzz.
The name connects the electric bus to the VW I.D. line introduced at the previous year’s Paris Motor Show; like that model, “I.D.” stands for various concepts including “identity,” “idea,” “individual,” and “iconic design.” The term “Buzz” alludes both to the sound of the electric engine and the word “bus.” Similar to its legendary predecessor, the Type 2 (commonly known as the Microbus), the I.D. Buzz features a unique powertrain arrangement that maximizes space. Its MEB electric architecture keeps the batteries and motors low, providing a spacious interior with cargo space ranging from 23.3 to 162.5 cubic feet, depending on the configuration, plus a front trunk measuring 6.1 cubic feet. Chairs are mounted on tracks in the wooden flooring; the second row can convert into tables, and the third row can fold out into a bed. The center console, referred to as the “I.D. Box,” adjusts according to the driving mode, moving between the front seats in manual mode and sliding back when in autonomous mode.
And yes, it features “motors” in the plural sense. The I.D. Buzz is equipped with a motor on each axle, yielding a combined output of 369 horsepower, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just five seconds. While this might not impress in a world of ultra-fast luxury EVs, remember that this is a Microbus. Its 111-kilowatt battery provides approximately 270 miles of range. For extended journeys, it can recover 80% of its range in only 30 minutes with a 150-kW charger.
Similar to the I.D. compact car, the I.D. Buzz is designed to be automated. When the steering wheel is engaged, it retracts into the dashboard as the car shifts into autonomous mode, and four lidar sensors deploy from the roof like periscopes. The interior lights switch to what is known as “mood lighting,” which we at The Drive imagine could include retro elements like disco balls and lava lamps.
The I.D. Buzz is also designed to allow drivers to access personal preferences via a cloud-connected profile known as the Volkswagen User-ID. This feature enables the vehicle to autonomously adjust settings, from radio stations to seating positions to navigation routes. Although VW did not specifically discuss the potential for car-sharing with this technology, similar advancements from companies like Geely’s Lynk & Co. indicate the capacity for communal fleets. We would not be surprised if VW introduces a similar model for the I.D. lineup.
And it won’t be long before this concept becomes a reality. VW claims the first MEB model will debut in showrooms by 2020, with ambitions to sell one million electric vehicles annually by 2025. Given how effectively the I.D. Buzz blends Volkswagen’s history with its technological future, it would be surprising if the automaker delays production of this electric minibus.
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