Volkswagen: the new electric combi and its ancestor hand in hand in Retromobile

What have become of the hippies ? If some always raise goats in the Larzac (all our apologies for this cliché), others cut their hair to make a good career on boards of directors (bis). One could compare the trajectory of the latter to that of the Volkswagen Combi, Van Fétiche de la Counter-culture in the 1960s. He is reborn today in electrical form. This chopped heir but to the clean lines of the Dodu Bulli – Its nickname in Germany – intends to embed adventurous families, couples of active retirees and even companies completing their fleet with a compact zero emission van in its utility version called Cargo. The maxi-logo VW, the biton painting and the “V” signature of the front side play the nostalgic card; successfully in view of the interest generated on the service areas where we made stops.

Test – Volkswagen Id Buzz, the return of the Combi

Volkswagen starts the marketing of his Buzz ID, presented as the worthy successor, modern and 100% electric, of the legendary Combi. Is the promise there?

The ID buzz is the funny name chosen by Volkswagen to designate the rebirth of a myth: the combi. This van alone symbolizes hippie culture, its desire for travel and escape, or the ideal vessel of surfers to reach the nearest beach, in California or in the southwest of France.

Why a new combi?

Small historical point to start and understand how its successor is positioned. The XXth century Combi experienced three generations from 1950: the first two, which keep a plump side and evokes at a glance a certain carefree and the third, much more square, like the models born in the 80s. But the combi was above all the subject of multiple variations and personalizations, the Westfalia versions for example, named after this German bodybuilder which made it possible to have a berth at the roof level, or with bodywork repainted with very “patterns” Flower Power “and other” Peace & Love “.

It is surely a recent turning point in its history that Volkswagen achieved the interest in reviving its cult combi by offering it a modern and 100% electric version. In 2015, the year of dieselgate, the German brand realizes that it is losing all the positive that its brand could convey on a market of primary importance, the United States.

This followed two prototypes, the Budd-e in 2016 and a certain “ID Buzz Concept” in 2017, which must both prepare the spirits at the big electric shift that the brand intends to take. And the choice of the support of this manifesto is not trivial: California, a promised land of the Combi, is also the state where the fake volkswagen emission scandal broke out.

What is the ID Buzz as standard?

A little over seven years after the start of dieselgate, so here we are facing the ID Buzz in standard, which starts its marketing at the end of 2022. On the look side, Volkswagen has done strong enough by offering a modern combi in its lines, but whose two -color body pays an obvious tribute to its distant ancestor.

We thus find the large glass surfaces, the huge VW logo at the front and at the back or its sliding side door.

Inside, we still go away a lot from the Combi spirit. For better – with modern comfort, a warm interior with the two outdoor and practical exterior colors, with many storage – but also for the worst – with a digital interface that often lacks ergonomics, or even logic. This defect should one day be corrected by an update, but the interface difficulties remain for the moment one of the recurring weak points of the Volkswagen ID range.

We can also be disappointed to finally find ourselves aboard a very modern and 100% electric minivan, rather than in a 21st century combi. The front seats, which could completely turn to the rear passengers in the concept car id buzz, disappeared to make way for all that is most classic. Too bad: a “living room” mode would have brought a touch of originality and a family side to this modern vessel and probably a little too sanitized.

To see if companies specializing in the modification of vehicles will in turn be able to restore a “combi spirit” to this buzz. In any case, there is enough to do with the space in the trunk of more than 1000 liters and more than 2000 liters if the seats are lowered to the rear. The upcoming arrival of a panoramic and optional roof and 6 or 7 -seater versions should already bring a more appreciable. In the meantime, we are satisfied with a removable central console, but difficult to see a real use of this function as the reduced volume of the drawer does not make the ideal picnic basket either.

From 56.990 euros

At the wheel, modern comfort is still good. The id buzz evolves in silence and with a certain dynamism despite its 2.4 tonnes on the scale. The only engine, with a power of 150 kW, just over 200 horsepower, seems well suited to its role as a zero -emission traveler. To see however what it gives, with a family on board and the full trunk.

Same remark on the autonomy, announced at just over 400 kilometers: the 77 kWh battery seems to be well cut for the exercise of transporting a small troop to a next adventure, without having too much to go through the recharge box. In this regard, the buzz can take up to 170kw of power in direct current on a quick terminal, and 11 kW in alternating current for recharging at home.

Prices side: this ID buzz starts at 56.990 euros, something still enjoying a bonus of 2000 euros. But with a few options, we easily cross the ceiling of 60.000 euros which no longer allows you to benefit from a boost. A price that may seem high, but this ID Buzz remains for the moment one of the rare (very) family (very) family electric car offers in 100% electric.

Volkswagen: the new electric combi and its ancestor hand in hand in Retromobile

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Volkswagen ID test. Buzz: our opinion at the wheel of the new electric combi

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What have become of the hippies ? If some always raise goats in the Larzac (all our apologies for this cliché), others cut their hair to make a good career on boards of directors (bis). One could compare the trajectory of the latter to that of the Volkswagen Combi, Van Fétiche de la Counter-culture in the 1960s. He is reborn today in electrical form. This chopped heir but to the clean lines of the Dodu Bulli – Its nickname in Germany – intends to embed adventurous families, couples of active retirees and even companies completing their fleet with a compact zero emission van in its utility version called Cargo. The maxi-logo VW, the biton painting and the “V” signature of the front side play the nostalgic card; successfully in view of the interest generated on the service areas where we made stops.

A well thought out interior

Like his ancestor, ID. Buzz places its engine near the rear wheels, releasing a Record space with regard to its length (4.71 m), located between that of a Tesla Model 3 and a Peugeot 508. In the absence of a third row – it should arrive in the coming months on an XXL version – the hold offers 1,121 liters, Or the capacity of four Peugeot 208 chests. The three rear passengers are based on a fractionable bench 2/3-1/3, for lack of individual seats. Nevertheless, it slides on 20 centimeters and even in advanced position, this row offers a space on the knees worthy of the great plains of Northern Germany. By lowering it with a simple gesture, we have a flat floor 2.32 meters long by 1.20 meters wide. By sliding a mattress, this tray becomes an excellent plumard for two adults, even if it is a bit perched. Otherwise, you have 2 cubic storage meters.

No specific space, on the other hand, for charging cables. Other (small) sorrow: if the simple and pleasant presentation seduces, The quality of the materials leaves something to be desired. All plastics sound hollow and most are hard. Wolfsburg still planned some beautiful tips: outgoing mooring system a button key, Removable central console and separators endowed with decapalitors … sodas or beers naturally find their place in numerous storage. However, you will have to plan your own cooler. If they do not include leather, the two front armchairs are wide, welcoming and equipped with armrests. Their firmness does not tire over time driving. The dominant position recalls the world of minivan and those which lead near the steering wheel (not adjustable in depth) will unfortunately have the knees in the plastic. Traditional Volkswagen strong point, Fishing ergonomics : the brand reinvents the wheel with a report order (p, n, b, d, r) whose handling requires an adaptation time. The 12 -inch central infotainment screen is in the right average execution speed side, even if the abundance of menus serves its use.

Master key

From the first maneuver, there is a Reduced robbery diameter at 11.10 meters, Barely more than a Peugeot 3008, however, more compact. Above all, very short overhangs and the excellent panoramic view offered to the driver allows you to reach the most narrow camping locations. The 360 ​​° (optional) camera assists with clarity the maneuvers. Once installed, we are delighted to have two electric sliding doors (here too, optional) and a large motorized tailgate (still).

At the wheel, the ID Buzz is reassuring without being exciting; Can a van be ? The machine shares its platform and its battery-motor handset with the ID.3 and ID.4. The 204 horsepower is a bit fair when it comes to stimulating uphill with several people and their luggage on board. The high mass (almost 2.5 tonnes) is paid cash. The management is rather precise, a little firm damping – This is an electric car – on blackcurrants. The roll is pronounced when you shake the ID a little. Buzz. We will also notice the choice of the design office for having put on the van with tires of large but on a thick slanderous, to save what could be comfortable. An initiative that should inspire the crowd of SUVs … The maximum load is set at 630 kg, which risks handicapting pros. But on the Øresund bridge, the van does not suffer too much wind.

After the load, let’s approach the recharge. The 77 kWh battery “cashes” powers up to 170 kW on a quick terminal. The passage of 10 to 80 % is therefore carried out in 30 minutes in ideal conditions and on the main axes. On the secondary network or a home wallbox, the maximum threshold is set at 11 kW. So count 7:30 to “refuel”. During our test carried out on the billiards of Scanie and Seeland, we noted Average electricity consumption of 18.9 kWh/100 km. A value to salute. And to attribute to a very correct air penetration for this size (CX of 0.285 … or a figure equivalent to a hyundai ioniq 5 !)). But this is also a value to be put into perspective. Long periods at 130 km/h on a highway and the mountain trips – direction Kathmandu ? – will quickly climb the on -board computer with peaks close to 25 kWh/100 km. Logically, under these conditions, The “real” autonomy plummets from 400 to 300 kilometers. To have more, it will probably be necessary to wait for an ID. Buzz has extended wheelbase: it should offer six or seven seats and a pack of batteries plus myusse. Which should further increase theA invoice, already salty, of this modern day combi. But that these financial considerations are worth in the face of the spirit of nostalgia ?

WE love

• Look and presentation
• Record space and well thought out
• Correct comfort

We love less

• Disappointing quality
• High prices
• Limited autonomy

Technical sheet

• Engine: electric, rear
• Transmission: on rear wheels, 1 report
• Power: 150 kW or 204 hp
• 0 to 100 km/h: 10.2 seconds
• Empty weight: 2,407 kg
• Maximum speed: 145 km/h
• Price: 56,990 euros (excluding bonuses of 2,000 euros)