Admittedly, going the parallel import route isn’t for everyone, but for those that are willing to take the plunge, there’s a plethora of options to pick from. Aside from providing first dibs on models that will eventually come, the path sometimes offers access to something that is unlikely to show up through official channels.
Case in point, the vehicle you see in the photos here. It’s the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the German automaker’s modern-day interpretation of the Microbus. While Volkswagen Malaysia is set to have all-electric ID offerings in its line-up in the coming future, the Buzz is surely not going to be one of them. This unit has been brought in by vehicle importer Zaman Motors, and from what we hear, has already found a home.
The particular example is a 1st Edition SWB variant in its five-seater passenger model configuration. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which assembles the ID. Buzz, also has a cargo version, which of course will never see the light of day here as a grey import.
Similar in size to the brand’s Transporter T6.1, being a bit wider, the fully-electric MPV sits on the automaker’s MEB modular architecture for electric vehicles. It’s powered by a rear axle-mounted electric motor that produces 204 PS (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, an output that is identical to that on the ID.3 hatchback and the ID.4 (which is eventually set to come in as an official import from Volkswagen Malaysia).
Juice for the single-drive motor is provided by a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery that is housed within the sandwich floor of the ID. Buzz. This is good enough to provide up to 415 km of travel on a single charge, based on a WLTP cycle. Other performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 10.2 seconds.
Through AC charging at a rate of 11 kW, the battery can be recharged from a zero to 100% state of charge (SoC) in seven and a half hours. With a DC charger and at the maximum charge rate of 170 kW, it takes just 30 minutes to get the battery from a 5% to 80% SoC.
If you’re not a fan of leather, then the Buzz will have plenty of appeal, because its interior doesn’t feature any materials of animal origin at all. What it does have is plenty of recycled materials, with this being used for the seat covers, floor coverings and headliner.
Here, one of the fabrics used is Sequal yarn, which is made of 10% marine plastic and 90% recycled PET bottles, a composition the automaker says brings about a saving of 32% in carbon emissions compared to conventional products.
The equipment list on the ID. Buzz example includes items such as LED matrix headlamps with advanced high-beam control, two-zone Climatronic air-conditioning, a Discover Pro navigation system with a 10-inch display screen, a nine-speaker audio system, a rear-view camera, four USB-C charging sockets at the rear and 30-colour ambient lighting.
Safety and driver assistance kit on the model, which rides on 21-inch Bromberg two-toned black diamond wheels shod with 235/45 and 265/40 rear Hankook Ventus S1 evo tyres, includes adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, AEB, lane keeping assist and park assist plus with park distance control.
As for the price, the ID. Buzz in this configuration is priced at RM588,000, a small snip for someone looking for novelty, of which this one has an abundance of, and exclusivity, which is surely the case given its rarity.
Daylight robbery…
No body ask you to buy oso. Go ahead and buy low spec Axia
How is the handling of VW Battery Van?
Better than the discontinued low spec Golf R-Line anot?
It’s so expensive, because the first batch is sold out already. People pay higher prices to get one.
18 month waiting list in the UK currently. Even people who have the money have to wait 1.5 years.
Very slow production,
Actually drivetrain shared among smaller car like VW ID.3.
Not very slow production, but very high demand. That’s why Malaysia officially don’t get this car and relies on expensive grey imports
i don’t think we could buy this right now la
In uk id buzz max price is 63500gbp vs volvo c40 recharge top spec priced at 62500 gbp. Meanwhile in malaysia c40 is 288888 myr vs idbuzz recon 500k++ myr
Hope VW Buzz comeback to Tanah Melayu again!
Announce MK8 GTi with ADAS
Golf mk8 already D.O.A in Malaysian eyes
Yes, we have the 4 star Axia with D-Ctv, the safest and fastest hatch on earth.
BMW i4 Batter Car, safest and fastest 2 door coupe – 4 star.
Both Better than Hyundai Tucson 2022 Latin 0 star crash Test.
https://youtu.be/qXFJ7MLA56M
Crazy Total Loss
So those who plan to buy a 7 seater Hyundai Tucson should buy an Axia instead? Do you live in Tanjung Rambutan?
Golf Mk8 GTI and R entire allocation for 2023 in Malaysia sold out already. What do you mean DOA?
No worries if it is daylight robbery etc just get other MPV as simple as that, dont compare with Chicken eggs ya…
$T20 entry level battery van, can get alot attention for having it.
310Nm pushing 2.4Tonne,
Powerful Diesel Drivetrain 500Nm for less than 2.4 Tonne.
meanwhile, the car selling @ their country below RM355k.
it makes BYD Atto3 looks like a joke
for selling so cheap
Which idiot priced it at 588K. EV is duty free. how GBP63000 van end up 588K?
You still don’t get the point? There’s a 18 month waiting list in the UK. Some people prefer to pay more than GBP63000 to get the car asap.
Sorry off topic. Kat thailand, harga minyak mahal tanpa subsidi, tapi harga barang2 murah, makanan murah dan sedap, harga kereta pun murah. Kenapa ye?
half a million for this funky van