By Otsile Kadiege

Volkswagen has added yet another ID. model to their growing catalogue of purely electric vehicles. The all-new ID. Buzz is Volkswagen’s futuristic-looking people mover with the latest ID. software, and a cabin that’s said to be spacious thanks to the MEB architecture.

T1 inspired design

Outside, the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz looks modern, futuristic and has somewhat a cool factor to it. It borrows a few design cues from the new Multivan and the iconic 1950s T1 bus. Up front, the new ID. Buzz features a V-shaped front panel between the LED headlights and a mash pattern on the lower front bumper. Its rear end is dominated by a large VW badge and slim integrated LED taillights. The new ID. Buzz is 4,712 mm long, 1,937 or 1,938 mm high depending on specification, 1,985 mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2,988 mm making it roughly the same as that of the current T6.1.

The ID. Buzz has a drag coefficient of 0.285 – 0.29 for the ID. Buzz Cargo which reduces energy consumption and increases range.

Well thought-out interior

According to VW, the layout of new ID. Buzz’s interior is clever and utilisation of space is optimal. VW adds there’s ample room for five passengers and their luggage (1,121 luggage capacity) in the MPV version, which can be increased to 2,205 litres by folding down the second row seats. In some markets, the ID. Buzz will be available with three rows of seating which will make the people mover even more practical. There are two screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment display. Like most modern VWs, the ID. Buzz features the brands latest touch sensitive steering wheel design.

Plugged-in

Powering both versions of the ID. Buzz is a 77 kWh battery providing current to the 150 kW electric motor making 154 kW and 310 Nm. The lithium-ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using an 11 kW alternating current (AC). Via a CCS plug connector at a DC rapid-charging station (direct current) the charging power increases to as much as 170 kW. When charged in this way, Volkswagen says the battery charge level rises from 5 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Unfortunately VW is mum on the the electric driving range.

Using the latest ID. software, the model line will also offer the ‘Plug & Charge’ function in the future. Via this function, the ID. Buzz authenticates itself at compatible DC rapid-charging stations via the charging connector using the ISO 15118 standard.

The new ID. Buzz will also feature bidirectional charging which is said to enable the all-electric bus to feed unneeded energy from the battery into the customer’s home network (Vehicle-to-Home). The power transfer and communication take place via a special DC bi-directional wall box.

Assistance systems

Standard across the ID. Buzz range is  ‘Car2X’ local warning system, which utilises signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real time. Also included as standard is the ‘Front Assist’ emergency braking function and, in the MPV, the ‘Lane Assist’ lane-keeping assistant. Available as an option is ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’, which facilitates partially automated driving across the entire speed range and, for the first time, assisted lane-changing on the motorway. Also new is the ‘Memory Function’ for automated parking on a previously saved route.