Just make it already. Volkswagen has teased us with all manner of small minibus concepts that hark back to the 21-window Microbus, from Bulli to Budd-e, without committing to production on any of them.
So with the launch of the new I.D. Buzz, you can forgive us if our patience is wearing a little thin. There’s clearly a desire from up top at VW to make a car like this, after so many concepts. It would be nice if they just got on with it…
The Buzz has made its debut at the 2017 Detroit motor show, and it does so with all the modern-day concept car staples neatly ticked off.
Electric power? Yup, 369bhp of it, with a claimed 373-mile range figure, like most petrol cars.
Self-driving functions? Absolutely, with the front seats swivelling 180 degrees to face the rear passengers when ‘I.D. Pilot’ autonomous mode is engaged.
Connectivity? Lots of it, with the car recognising its users’ smart phones, to personalise their experience, and all of its key data displayed via an augmented reality display in the driver’s line of sight.
Both interior and exterior make unsubtle hat-tips to VW’s past, with the ability to either seat eight or sleep several inside, and an unmistakable two-tone colour scheme outside. It’s about the same size as a VW Touareg, making it larger than previous Microbus-inspired concepts.
No comments