Volkswagen’s modern, electric Kombi has taken another step towards production.
The first production-bodied examples of the ID Buzz’s load-lugging cousin, the ID. Cargo, have been snapped during testing in its production body.
These images from @red.david on Instagram, shared by CarPix, show the car next to a Transporter van.
As has previously been the case with its electric cars, Volkswagen has disguised the ID Cargo to look like something from another brand.
Under the skin, the Buzz and Cargo ride on a variation of Volkswagen’s modular MEB chassis, which debuted under the Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback.
Batteries ranging from 50kWh to 111kWh are expected to be offered in the load- (or should that be surfboard?) lugging electric van when it launches.
We’re also expecting rear- and all-wheel drive options.
Volkswagen Australia says it wants to get its hands on the ID Buzz when it hits the market.
“Everybody in the business would love the ID Buzz,” said Nick Reid, Volkswagen Group Australia national marketing and product manager.
“To have the ID Buzz… would be very unique, but such a brand statement as well,” he said.
“We get so many calls from customers and celebrities, ‘can I have the first one?’, all that kind of stuff. That’s really exciting.”
However, it’s not clear when the car could actually be coming Down Under.
VW Australia has previously said it will be 2023 or 2024 before we see the ID.4 SUV and ID.3 hatchback locally, as head office sends cars to markets where they can cut fleet emissions and help the brand avoid huge fines.
That problem extends to Volkswagen Commercial world, which is working in “exactly the same timeline”.
“We’re in exactly the same spot as passenger vehicles,” said Mr Reid.
“At the end of the day, the platforms are all the same. The things driving demand in other countries are also going to pull through into the commercial segment, so we’re in exactly the same position.
“We’re fighting as hard as we can, and obviously lobbying at the same time. It’s good to see some common sense coming into the market, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Mr Reid said.
The ID Buzz will form part of what’s expected to turn into a sprawling range of Volkswagen electric cars.
Along with the current ID.3 hatch, the ID.4 SUV, and the larger ID.6 SUV, the brand is preparing a slinky ID.6 sedan and wagon, and potentially even an EV beach buggy.
