Introduction ID Buzz by VW

[calibusje]

If it’s just a funky all electric estate car, I think we have all been misled by the marketing and hype. The concept was introduced and has always been displayed alongside the original T2. I thought it was supposed to be it’s spiritual successor, but from what I have seen so far of the actual vehicle, the Buzz is a bit of a letdown. I sincerely hope the future LWB models include some basic features such as swivelling front seats and rear seats on rails. The launch version could have been more versatile in my opinion.

That the introduction perhaps better from the first time the camper version was, would be nice for all here but probably not for many many others who actually want to have…. what was proposed. I think too many want it to be an almost camper with swivelling seats and rear seats on rails but it isn’t for now; maybe all this will come.

 

[Kayleigh]

That the introduction perhaps better from the first time the camper version was, would be nice for all here but probably not for many many others who actually want to have…. what was proposed. I think too many want it to be an almost camper with swivelling seats and rear seats on rails but it isn’t for now; maybe all this will come.

Maybe… but this is the groundbreaking vehicle VW promised us … “the I.D. BUZZ , with its open space – the interior of the future – ensures better space utilization than all current vehicles.”

 

[calibusje]

Maybe… but this is the groundbreaking vehicle VW promised us … “the I.D. BUZZ , with its open space – the interior of the future – ensures better space utilization than all current vehicles.”

well, for me it actually is: look at the boot size. And did you already saw a normal car interior in a van of transporter size? I do not think so Maybe this is what many wanted because volkswagen must have done enough studies for the ID Buzz interior before the unveiling.
What I prefer is a spacious interior with good seats, flexibility does not mean much to me. The only thing I ever saw as 'wow' was the FlexFix from Opel: the integrated extendable bike carrier. Really, I thought that was the max and unfortunately this has not broken through and we now drive with ugly bicycle racks at the back of our cars. Don’t know if it was any good but it had potential.
To each his choice.

 

[clarinetbcn]

… but wait, isn't the ID Buzz just like you want it exactly what the Sharan was? I am confused

Aside from the obvious, i.e the Sharan was not electric, how many on this forum would, or did, buy a Sharan? The Buzz that we wanted (and were led to hope for by VW's publicity strategy of picturing it next to its iconic ancestor) would have been much more space efficient than a Sharan or its recent replacement, the new Multivan. VW decided to place an extended instrument panel over the hood of an ID 4 and then attach secondary A pillars to it for one reason: to give it the profile of a van without actually being one, because it's cheaper and they think that's enough to sell it. Time will tell. The very name Buzz (electric bus) is a misnomer for an ID 4 with a uselessly deep instrument panel (just compare it to a T6), but with the seats in the same inefficient and inflexible car distribution. That VW managed to make the Buzz wider than a T6 but narrower on the inside just compounds the disappointment. I'm sure future models will address this, but how far in the future?

The Transporter never shared its seating position with the Beetle or Golf, and it has been decades since the Transporter shared its platform. Now we have taken a huge leap backward where the Buzz shares both with the ID 4, and has lost its unique identity and usefulness in the process.

 

[calibusje]

Aside from the obvious, ...

The Transporter never shared its seating position with the Beetle or Golf, and it has been decades since the Transporter shared its platform. Now we have taken a huge leap backward where the Buzz shares both with the ID 4, and has lost its unique identity and usefulness in the process.

I feel for you that you're so disappointed but I'm not (not about the things you're not happy with anyway, more about the charging capacity but more on that later). Don't get stuck in what you want it to be (the successor of the transporter?). Try to capture their intention of putting it next to a T1, it's the look and feel they want to express; not sitting just behind the windscreen. It actually is very innovative in terms of shape: kinda ‘a passenger car in the form of a van’. It is not a transporter nor is it intended to be its successor. But hey, maybe there will be a folding and sliding table like in the multivan, or rails or swivel seats… but for me this is not necessary: the ID Buzz is not this vehicle. Will I ever buy one? Not quite sure, I like the interior, the appearance is striking and nice enough, but the charging capacity is not the best on the market: Hyundai beats volkswagen in this. Therefore I fear that you are already a bit outdated with every ID from Volkswagen. However, I am curious about what is to come such as the camper (or rather ‘weekender’ I think) and the evolution of their meb platform (especially the batteries and charging capacity). So, maybe the next transporter will be satisfying for you and you will have some pease of mind and be able to see the ID Buzz for what it is (it is what it is and take it or leave it, leave that is in your case). I wish you all the luck.

 

[clarinetbcn]

I feel for you that you're so disappointed but I'm not (not about the things you're not happy with anyway, more about the charging capacity but more on that later). Don't get stuck in what you want it to be (the successor of the transporter?). Try to capture their intention of putting it next to a T1, it's the look and feel they want to express; not sitting just behind the windscreen. It actually is very innovative in terms of shape: kinda ‘a passenger car in the form of a van’. It is not a transporter nor is it intended to be its successor. But hey, maybe there will be a folding and sliding table like in the multivan, or rails or swivel seats… but for me this is not necessary: the ID Buzz is not this vehicle. Will I ever buy one? Not quite sure, I like the interior, the appearance is striking and nice enough, but the charging capacity is not the best on the market: Hyundai beats volkswagen in this. Therefore I fear that you are already a bit outdated with every ID from Volkswagen. However, I am curious about what is to come such as the camper (or rather ‘weekender’ I think) and the evolution of their meb platform (especially the batteries and charging capacity). So, maybe the next transporter will be satisfying for you and you will have some pease of mind and be able to see the ID Buzz for what it is (it is what it is and take it or leave it, leave that is in your case). I wish you all the luck.

"... it's the look and feel they want to express," not the functionality.
"a passenger car in the form of a van".
Exactly.

 

[calibusje]

"... it's the look and feel they want to express," not the functionality.
"a passenger car in the form of a van".
Exactly.

I see no problem with that, cheers.

 

[soulstyledevon]

When’s the configurator going live…?
I wanna have a play.

 

[2haw]

If it’s just a funky all electric estate car, I think we have all been misled by the marketing and hype. The concept was introduced and has always been displayed alongside the original T2. I thought it was supposed to be it’s spiritual successor, but from what I have seen so far of the actual vehicle, the Buzz is a bit of a letdown. I sincerely hope the future LWB models include some basic features such as swivelling front seats and rear seats on rails. The launch version could have been more versatile in my opinion.

Agree. I was expecting swivel front seats, sliding rear bench and a table as a minimum. I was really disappointed with the launch vehicle.

 

[Corradobrit]

Agree. I was expecting swivel front seats, sliding rear bench and a table as a minimum. I was really disappointed with the launch vehicle.

Next thing you'll want is delivery within 18 months of an order. Thats just crazy talk.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Agree. I was expecting swivel front seats, sliding rear bench and a table as a minimum. I was really disappointed with the launch vehicle.

At least it gives the Veedub specialists something to start modding

I’m disappointed with the launch vehicle and expected similar to what you just mentioned.

However, I’m still considering one.
Mainly because we’ve been thinking about an EV and everything else on the market is boring (exception of the Honda E) and impractical vs a bus.
So depending how expensive this is, I might go for one…

 

[2haw]

Next thing you'll want is delivery within 18 months of an order. Thats just crazy talk.

Yep and fully loaded for 50k!

At least it gives the Veedub specialists something to start modding

I’m disappointed with the launch vehicle and expected similar to what you just mentioned.

However, I’m still considering one.
Mainly because we’ve been thinking about an EV and everything else on the market is boring (exception of the Honda E) and impractical vs a bus.
So depending how expensive this is, I might go for one…

I feel the same. If it had swivels and a table, I probably would of gone for one too… at least until the RRP is released!

Have you got a deposit down?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Yep and fully loaded for 50k!

I feel the same. If it had swivels and a table, I probably would of gone for one too… at least until the RRP is released!

Have you got a deposit down?

Don’t think it’s possible yet.
Website, says register for interest or something.

I wonder wether it will fall under the commercial arm or general car dealerships…?

 

[2haw]

Don’t think it’s possible yet.
Website, says register for interest or something.

I wonder wether it will fall under the commercial arm or general car dealerships…?

Most dealers are taking deposits of interest to get in the queue. Apparently these are being sold by Car and also Van dealerships. I know SMG have taken plenty of deposits.

I suspect most dealers would have sold next year’s allocation already.

 

[Joker 1299]

It‘s like buying a pig in a poke…

 

[Multi1100]

Agree. I was expecting swivel front seats, sliding rear bench and a table as a minimum. I was really disappointed with the launch vehicle.

Do not really understand all the reaction such as quoted as an example. VW has clearly stated that the presented one is just one of many versions to come. I know that we are on a VW camper forum, and VW stated that a "cali" version will see the light not earlier then 2025. I think it will be 2026 before we will see such a version. In the mean time you can see the basic in "live". The T1 was introduced in 1950 and the Westfalia camper version in 1959...so let us all be a bit patient ;-) with conclusions

 

[Stoo24]

Aside from the obvious, i.e the Sharan was not electric, how many on this forum would, or did, buy a Sharan? The Buzz that we wanted (and were led to hope for by VW's publicity strategy of picturing it next to its iconic ancestor) would have been much more space efficient than a Sharan or its recent replacement, the new Multivan. VW decided to place an extended instrument panel over the hood of an ID 4 and then attach secondary A pillars to it for one reason: to give it the profile of a van without actually being one, because it's cheaper and they think that's enough to sell it. Time will tell. The very name Buzz (electric bus) is a misnomer for an ID 4 with a uselessly deep instrument panel (just compare it to a T6), but with the seats in the same inefficient and inflexible car distribution. That VW managed to make the Buzz wider than a T6 but narrower on the inside just compounds the disappointment. I'm sure future models will address this, but how far in the future?

The Transporter never shared its seating position with the Beetle or Golf, and it has been decades since the Transporter shared its platform. Now we have taken a huge leap backward where the Buzz shares both with the ID 4, and has lost its unique identity and usefulness in the process.

I agree with all of above. I'm also a proud owner of a Sharan ,which despite being aesthetically challenged is a great piece of kit for what I need (family of 5 and caravan tug). The Buzz could/should have been an electric alternative to the Sharan, or at least cover some of the Sharan's strengths but it hasn't even managed to provide 3 separate seats across the middle with Isofix points. Most Sharan owners have families of 5+; do they need to compromise on safety and convenience to go electric? The Buzz should have at least ticked that box. The Sharan is incredibly space efficient, it's not a van, drives and looks like a car and has 7 seats. The 2 rear seats fit adults and fold completely flat to leave a massive boot. The Buzz looks cool etc but what is it actually offering to 99% of buyers that an electric estate car isn't providing for significantly less cash? Maybe different layouts will help answer this but for the sake of a couple extra inches of internal width, the Buzz is just missing what I thought was a very obvious trick.

The electric car towing ability is the next issue I have but that's not solely a Buzz problem. Real world range and infrastructure to charge while hitched is just poor/non-existent with current tech and not a viable option.

I'm picking up a new Coast next week with a 5th seat that will become a daily driver and occasional caravan tug but what to do with the Sharan? We live rural, 2 cars are almost a necessity and certainly convenient. I'm on board with the zero emission revolution and have driven two hybrid company cars over the last 6 years with 80% of my miles in those being purely electric. Cost of fuel is horrific but affordable electric options that meet 100% of my needs are not visible to me. Doesn't help that my company car options have gone through the roof in price, even with BIK tax so low for pure electric. The Sharan may go and I'll probably end up with a full electric family car but accept that family cars are generally only comfortable for 4.

 

[David Eccles]

Do not really understand all the reaction such as quoted as an example. VW has clearly stated that the presented one is just one of many versions to come. I know that we are on a VW camper forum, and VW stated that a "cali" version will see the light not earlier then 2025. I think it will be 2026 before we will see such a version. In the mean time you can see the basic in "live". The T1 was introduced in 1950 and the Westfalia camper version in 1959...so let us all be a bit patient ;-) with conclusions

1953 Westy removable Camping Box
1956 Westy Export and Standard - campers
Putting my anorak back in wardrobe now...

 

[soulstyledevon]

2 phone calls to my local dealership this week.
Twice they failed to call back
I really can’t stand car salesmen…!!!
Right up there with Estate Agents and Solicitors T@@se8s

 

[Joker 1299]

2 phone calls to my local dealership this week.
Twice they failed to call back
I really can’t stand car salesmen…!!!
Right up there with Estate Agents and Solicitors T@@se8s

Bit of a generalisation there after some extensive research…

 

[soulstyledevon]

Update.

I’ve been told range will be 200 miles…???
Anyone else think this is really poor?

 

[Jay586]

California Chris did a video on this yesterday. 2k to book an order slot, then a verrry long wait....

 

[soulstyledevon]

California Chris did a video on this yesterday. 2k to book an order slot, then a verrry long wait....

Will have a look tomorrow.
But 200 mile range is feeble. This will be the dilemma of a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick…

 

[Jay586]

It might be a very expensive 200 miles too. Not cheap. I was really interested in this vehicle but it's a lot of cash, for what is a 2nd vehicle if you want to keep a camper too.

 

[Corradobrit]

A different kind of bus but quite dramatic