Volkswagen hopes the revival of the MPV segment with ID. Buzz

KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen ID family, a series of all-electric battery concept cars from Volkswagen, has been introduced to the world. Several of these are planned to be adapted into production models anytime soon. And ID.3 hatchback is the first whose production has been started. 

One such concept, ID. Buzz electric van based on original Type 2 Microbus, is also slated to enter the production in 2022. Its concept version has already won several awards in the months since it was revealed at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. 

Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a van of the new generation, and “it will reinvigorate demand for MPVs in international markets through its emotional design when it arrives in 2022”, said Frank Welsh, Volkswagen’s board member for R&D. He also added that it will indirectly replace Volkswagen Touran, which is still on sale in few markets. 

The popularity of MPVs was on the peak during 2000-2010, which is now overtaken by stylish SUVs. In 2004, the firm sold 191,414 units of Touran while it was just 75,427 last year.

Welsch also mentioned, “Some people would say the Touran is a boring car, but it has great efficiency, great value for money [and is> great for the family. But, now we have other concepts, such as the Tiguan Allspace 7-seat SUV. And we have prepared for the next generation with the ID family, including the ID Buzz, which we are developing now. These are the real successors of Touran.”

Although the demand for MPVs is decreasing, these are not over. It is just they need better design now. That’s why ID. has an emotional design language. “ID. Buzz has a lot of space. It’s great-looking. The production version is even better than the concept. It’s the best of the Touran,” he said.

Being a spiritual successor to the Microbus of 1950, it is based on the all-new electric architecture. It uses electric motors on the front as well as rear axles that generate a combined output of 369 PS and provide all-wheel drive. Its electric range is up to 600 km, according to NEDC. 

The production model will be five meters long and is due to be launched in 2022. However, the arrival in the Malaysian market is not yet clear.

Also read: 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan teaser image released