New ID. Buzz from VW impresses with innovative driver assistance systems

The exclusive launch of the ID. Buzz. and ID. Buzz Cargo in Ireland took place recently at Visual Carlow where we enjoyed a short presentation from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – and an opportunity to test drive the first ID. Buzz units to arrive here, as Export & Freight’s Phil Eaglestone reports.

Back in the 60s, the Volkswagen bus was an iconic piece of pop culture: Along with bell bottom jeans and psychedelic guitar solos, the decade would be unimaginable without the vehicle’s distinctive design.

Now, we welcome the return of this legend in EV form – the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo 1; this fun, free-spirited vehicle combines the adventurous nature of its predecessor with the cutting-edge technology and engineering of today, and for all the new and exciting design elements the ID. Buzz is quickly becoming known for, it also delivers when it comes to its less obvious features.

The ID. Buzz is the first of a new generation from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in terms of innovation and design.  As a VIP guest, we were among the first in Ireland to experience this icon built for an electric age.

Perhaps,  not surprisingly, the ID. Buzz Cargo1 was named “International Van Of The Year 2023” even before its market launch. The vehicle has been developed exclusively for battery-electric transport and will be handed over to customers with a CO2-neutral balance sheet.

The ID. Buzz comes with the latest ID. software and sets new standards in its segment with the latest systems and functions for safety, comfort and charging.

Carsten Intra, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand, commented: “Both versions of the ID. Buzz are pioneering in terms of their sustainability: their manufacture and shipping has a carbon-neutral footprint. We are also using recycled synthetic materials and the interior is completely free of any real leather.”

Included as standard in the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo is the ‘Car2X’ local warning system, which utilises signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real time. Also included as standard: the ‘Front Assist’ emergency braking function and, in the MPV, the ‘Lane Assist’ lane-keeping assistant. With new software, new assistance functions are also making their way into the ID. family.

The ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo come with a 77 kWh battery (gross energy content: 82 kWh). It provides current to a 150 kW electric motor, which drives the rear axle. The position of the battery, integrated deep down in the sandwich floor, and the lightweight electric drive system result in a good distribution of weight and a low vehicle centre of gravity. Both factors optimise the handling and agility.

The lithium ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using 11 kW alternating current (AC). Via a CCS plug connector at a DC rapid-charging station (direct current) the charging power increases to as much as 170 kW. When charged in this way, the battery charge level rises from 5 to 80% in about 30 minutes.

Read more in the next edition of Export & Freight magazine