Finally! Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of reviving the Microbus for years now, coming up with concept after concept, but it’s now confirmed – the I.D. Buzz concept that was displayed at the Detroit show this year has been confirmed for production. Like the concept, the reborn icon will be a full electric vehicle.
This announcement was made by chairmen of the boards of management of the Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Dr Herbert Diess and Dr Eckhard Scholz, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. The hippie machine’s successor will arrive at dealerships in 2022, and VW is looking at markets in North America, Europe and China.
“After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, ‘please build this car’,” VW CEO Diess said, adding that Pebble Beach was chosen as the location of announcement because “the Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle.”
Just like the Detroit concept, the production model will also have its batteries mounted in the vehicle floor. Because the electric drive components — motor, power electronics, and such — don’t take up much space, the vehicle has a long wheelbase with short overhangs, allowing for a spacious interior and great proportions.
“The vehicle looks like a compact commercial van on the outside, even though it offers the generous interior space of a large SUV,” Diess said.
“This vehicle is the perfect balance between emotion, usability and sustainability, while also showcasing our technological leadership. The high seating position, cargo capacity, overall versatility and all-wheel drive option packaged into such an appealing design is just what our customers want from us. And it’s the perfect fit for the zero-emissions American lifestyle,” VW’s North American CEO Hinrich J. Woebcken crowed.
The production I.D. Buzz won’t just be a passenger vehicle. Like the classic T2, it will both haul people and freight. “Along with a minibus version, we’ll also be offering an I.D. Buzz Cargo variant for zero-emissions delivery of goods. With Level 3 autonomous capability, this is an ideal concept for an electric van, particularly for delivering packages and goods to the inner cities,” Scholz said.
Wolfsburg says that the production I.D. Buzz will incorporate many design ideas from the concept car, including multi-variable seating, interactive connectivity and highly automated driving.
GALLERY: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept
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old one still looks good
both look good in different perspectives.
Ya, the old one is cute, the new one is great.
Shame that only E.V powertrain is available for the I.D Buzz. At least a hybrid powertrain version should be offered as well for the rest of the world (could utilize Porsche’s flat-4 engine)..
The original ID Buzz, known as VW Kombi was the first ‘flower power’ vehicle in the world. It represented rebellion from the old school gas guzzlers that showcased all the excesses of America at the time. Essentially the vehicle represented the birth of ‘the green’ movement and environmental consciousness. It is therefore appropriate that the ID Buzz also becomes a purely ‘clean’ energy vehicle ONLY.
The floor of the new microbus is too high, making it no different to other MPV. The main appeal of the old microbus is the low floor and generous interior space.
Its the same height.
The two biggest achievements of the 1960’s – the world’s biggest band – The Beatles and the world’s best selling classic car – the VW Beetle.