Volkswagen has started pre-production of the ID. Buzz at its plant in Hannover (Germany). This has been confirmed by the brand itself on its Twitter account through a video in which we can see two units of the commercial vehicle, still camouflaged, leaving the factory in the direction of Spain, because next week they will participate in an event presentation with the press.
The invited journalists will be able to drive the long-awaited vehicle for the first time, whose official presentation is scheduled for March 9. This model is probably one of the most anticipated of the new zero emissions range of the company, as it will be the heir to the legendary Transporter T1 of the 50s and 60s .
The van, whose prototypes are still being tested on the open road, will go on sale in the second half of the year , although in some countries such as Norway or Sweden the reservation books have already been opened. Although initially it will be available in passenger and cargo versions, a camper (ID. California) will also be added later.
According to some preliminary information, the ID. Buzz will be available in two lengths . Initially, the longest model will measure 4.94 meters and have a wheelbase of 3.30 meters, leading the Transporter T6.1 thermal by about 30 centimeters. This will be possible thanks to the use of the flexible MEB platform.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz will have a camper version
Although the final technical data has not yet been communicated, everything indicates that it will be available with two battery packs: one of approximately 60 kWh with which it will reach a range of 300 km WLTP, and another of more than 100 kWh that will allow it to exceed the 500 km WLTP. Like the ID.4 and ID.5, it will also be offered in rear and all-wheel drive configurations .
Within the manufacturer’s range, the ID. Buzz will have a double function: on the one hand, it will become the company’s most familiar electric model, surpassing the ID.6 sold in China in habitability and practicality; on the other, it will be the only retro proposal in its lineup, a link between the “new Volkswagen” and its illustrious past (Beetle, the first three generations of Transporter, etc).
In the event that this proposal is successful, Volkswagen plans to recover other of its classics; without going any further, Herbert Diess, CEO of the group, recently confirmed that the German brand is studying the possibility of relaunching the Beetle as electric throughout the second half of the decade (therefore, it would use the SSP platform, a substitute for the current MEB).
