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ID. Buzz is the Bizz for the LEZ (Low Emission Zone)!

Volkswagen’s journey to full electric vehicles commenced with the launch of a tranche of new electric cars, starting with the ID.3, a 5-door hatch. It was followed by the ID.4 compact SUV, with both models being very well received. Next up was the more coupé-like ID.5. They are all part of a massive €50billion / 5 year investment into zero-emission electric vehicles. Also set for launch is the ID.6, a 7-seat variant of the ID.4, but before that comes the ID. Buzz range, which includes a 5-seater MPV - MultiPurpose-Vehicle and a commercial van, called the ID. Buzz Cargo.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles currently has on sale the latest evolution of the Transporter - the T6.1, while it also recently launched the new Multivan. With the ID. Buzz sitting alongside these models, it could be said that together they could be termed the ID.7.1!

ID. Buzz is a totally new concept built on Volkswagen Groups’ Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform, consisting of an electric motor, a power electronics unit, an automatic single-speed gearbox, the twelve modules of the lithium-ion high-voltage battery arranged in space-saving manner in the vehicle floor, and various additional components integrated within the vehicle’s front end.

‘Range distance of up to 425 km, recharged at a fast-charging point in around 30 minutes’

It features a futuristic and slick design lyit harks back to the original Transporter T1 from 70 years ago, with its V shaped bonnet, prominent VW badge, and short overhangs. Coincidentally it comes with rear wheel drive, with the electric motor fitted in the rear section, just like its original predecessor.

The design and styling of the ID. Buzz stems from the show stopping prototype revealed in Detroit in 2017. At Cd 0.29, the wind cheating body of the ID. Buzz is one of the sleekest in the business.

‘Roomy: The new VWCV ID. Buzz Cargo is one of the most sustainable vans – a robust, high-tech piece of work equipment’

Common to the aforementioned ID. cars is the 150 kW (204 PS) electric motor, which provides maximum torque of 310 Nm immediately. A spontaneous response is assured. The 700 kg 77-kWh battery integrated within the vehicle floor lowers the centre of gravity helping to keep body roll to a minimum, and ensuring the overall weight is spread centrally within the vehicle. Impressive too is the tight turning circle at just 11.1 metres. At just 632 mm off the ground, the load sill of the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo will facilitate easy loading. All of this makes the ID. Buzz the ideal vehicle for the urban environment. The automatic transmission is operated via a steering column switch: turn it forwards from the neutral position ‘N’ to ‘D’ (Drive) and one step further is the ‘B’ (Brake). In this case the electric drive system’s regenerative braking is strong and when moving forwards the driver hardly has to touch the brake – on downhill stretches in particular ‘B’ is the ideal Drive mode. One turn back from ‘N’ to ‘R’, and the ID. Buzz is in reverse.

As with Volkswagen cars, all of the interior operational systems are digital. Positioned centrally in the middle of the dashboard is the infotainment system with a large touchscreen, which is quite sensitive. One slight slip of the hand and you’re into some other unwanted module of the system.

ID. Buzz Cargo, comes as standard with three seats in the cab: driver’s seat plus double bench seat. If desired, a single seat is also available. Behind the seats comes a fixed bulkhead, optionally available with a window and/or an opening through which items can be loaded. The cargo space capacity is 3,900 litres and provides room for two Euro pallets. It is fitted with a wide-opening rear hatch and a sliding door on the passenger side. The van is optionally available with an additional sliding door on the driver’s side and with rear wing doors. VWCV is authorising five different manufacturers of van racking and shelving equipment who have come up with solutions to increase efficiency and safety of what’s carried behind the bulkhead. A long wheelbase version is due next year, as is a 4WD variant which will have a 1,800 kg towing capacity instead of the 1,000 kg on offer from the standard model. Payload is maximised at 648 kg and loads can be secured via lashing rings in the floor and rails on the side walls.

Five USB-C ports are located around the van: one on the left on the instrument panel, two above the smart phone tray, one in the front-passenger door and another in combination with the rain sensor in the rear-view mirror mount. All USB-C ports (with the exception of the 15-watt one in the rear-view mirror mount) use the latest USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) charging standard. Depending on the device connected, they give a power output of up to 45 watts. That allows for, for example, laptops or rechargeable tools to be charged up to three times as quickly as when plugged into conventional USB-C ports. Unlike in the case of vehicles with internal combustion engines, the 230-Volt connection in the electric ID. Buzz can also be used with the motor turned off.

New driver assist systems, such as Travel Assist, assisted lane-changing, and Park Assist Plus with memory function are available. Other safety systems are included as standard, such as Car2X (which warns of hazards in the near vicinity) and Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring (Autonomous Emergency Braking).

Another impressive design and production feature eof the ID. Buzz is its use of environmentally friendly materials and processes, making both passenger and cargo versions among the world’s most sustainable vehicles. Measures such as completely forgoing any use of leather in favour of using materials of non-animal origin is appreciated. The steering wheel rim is, for example, made of a synthetic material that looks as high in quality as leather and provides a similar feel. The materials used for some seat covers, floor coverings and for the roof lining include materials created from recycled products. For instance, one fabric is made of SEAQUAL yarn, the fibres of which consist of circa 10 percent of collected ocean plastics and around 90 percent of PES (recycled PET bottles). The ArtVelours ‘ECO’ seat covers is 71 per cent made of recycled materials.

Both ID. Buzz models are being produced, alongside the new Multivan introduced in 2021 and the T6.1 (including Caravelle and California), at the Hannover plant in Germany, the headquarters of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. With more and more cities across the world introducing Congestion Charges and Low Emission Zones (LEZ), the ID. Buzz is ready to step in silently and emission free and meet these regulations. Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

SPEC CHECK

Make/Model: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ID. Buzz Cargo Motor: Electric 150kW/204PS, connected to rear drive axle Max torque: 310 Nm Transmission: 1 speed automatic with reverse Suspension: MacPherson (fr)/Multi-link (rear) Top speed: 145 km/h 0-100 km/h: 10.2 seconds Energy capacity: 82 kWh Max charging power (AC/DC): 11 kW/170kW Charging time (AC/DC): 7.30hrs/30 minutes Range Distance: Up to 425 km Weights & Dimensions: Unladen weight: 2352 kg GVW: 3000kg Payload: 648kg Towing capacity: 1000kg Turning circle: 11.09m Length: 4712 mm Width: 1985 mm Height: 1951 mm Wheelbase: 2989 mm Load sill: 632 mm Load space: 3900 litres Load space height: 1279 mm Load space length: 2208 - 2232 mm