The I.D. Buzz concept car – Volkswagen's vision of an electric future of mobility – looks to be a step closer to reality, according to the head of Volkswagen.
Launched at the North American International Auto Show in January, the I.D. Buzz is a full electric MPV designed to showcase the range of features electric mobility can offer in the future.
Speaking with Auto Express at the reveal of the new Polo, Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess said: "Emotional cars are very important for the brand. We are selling loads of Beetles still, particularly in US markets. But we will also have the Microbus that we showed, which we have recently decided we will build."
Back at the launch of the I.D. Buzz, Diess explained that the I.D. Buzz stands as new brand vision for Volkswagen, on that is ‘modern, positive, emotional, future-orientated.”
“By 2025, we want to sell one million electric cars per year, making e-mobility the new trademark of Volkswagen,” he said.
The I.D. BUZZ’ design clearly draws on inspiration from the iconic Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi mini bus from the 1950s, with a large VW logo front and centre, over the top of a two-tone paint job.
It features an all-wheel drive powertrain with electric motors on the front and rear axles producing a combined output of 275kW, a fully automated driving mode (I.D. Pilot, expected to be market ready in 2025) and a new generation of indicators and controls.
Volkswagen said the I.D Buzz will have a range of up to 600km, and at a charging power of 150kW, can charge up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.
The concept can seat up to eight occupants with a wheelbase of 3,300mm.
No launch date for the production model has been mentioned as yet, but comments Diess made at the concept launch could point to a 2020-21 release.
“From 2020 onwards we will then launch our I.D. family, a new generation of fully electric, fully connected cars.”
“It will be affordable for millions, not just to millionaires."
