Electric Microbus unveiled with VW I.D. Buzz

Electric Microbus unveiled with VW I.D. Buzz

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Volkswagen has revealed details of its next I.D. electric model, which looks to bring back the iconic Microbus styling with zero-tailpipe emissions and autonomous driving in the shape of the I.D. Buzz.

The I.D. Buzz is based on the company’s new modular MEB platform, designed specifically for electric powertrains. Fitted with a 111 kWh batter, the I.D. Buzz is quoted at able to offer a range of 270 miles on a single charge on the US driving cycle. VW will use the CCS standard for charging or a wireless set-up, with 0-80% charge within half an hour thanks to a 150kW charging network.

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Two electric motors – one on each axle – offer full time all-wheel drive and 369 hp, enough to shift the I.D. Buzz from 0-60mph in around 5 seconds. VW has said though that because of the platform’s flexibility, it would easily be possible to offer a rear-wheel drive model with 268 hp, and an 83 kWh battery option, depending on markets and prices.

Like the I.D., the I.D. Buzz will feature all the hardware and software needed to drive autonomously, while recently announced equipment such as Volkswagen User-ID, augmented reality head-up display, and retractable steering wheel all will feature.

The interior space available is huge thanks to the compact proportions of the drivetrain and battery placed in the floor of the chassis. Like the original Microbus, the front seats can be spun around to face backwards when parked up, the seating set-up is flexible to allow for a number of permutations of chair arrangements, there is an I.D. Box available with a tablet hat can be used outside the vehicle, and the second row of seats can be folded to form tables and the third row folded to become a bed.

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Due to be unveiled later today at the Detroit Motor Show, VW’s ‘Microbus for a new era’, the I.D. Buzz is technically a concept. However, the press release accompanying the I.D. Buzz’s launch reiterates VW’s aims to become a major player in the EV marketplace, with an entire range of electric vehicles.

Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen brand, said: “The Volkswagen brand’s big electric offensive begins in the year 2020 with a completely new vehicle architecture. That is when we will be launching an entirely new generation of fully connected, all-electric vehicles to the market. By 2025 we want to be selling one million of these vehicles annually. We are making electric mobility the new trademark of Volkswagen.”

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