It is confirmed that the digital dash was a result of earlier test mule sightings.
VW’s new electric microbus has taken a long road to production. The ID. Buzz first appeared on our radar in 2017, early 2017. Although it should arrive in the UK next year, US buyers still have at most one year. New spy photos at least prove that development and testing are still taking place, not just on the vehicle itself.
The ID. When Buzz goes on sale, a large-sized gumball machine will not be an alternative. In September, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented a prototype equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras to create advanced autonomous driving systems. This is what we are seeing now. However, it’s not the exact same prototype. This ID was the cargo version. Buzz’s side windows are full, and there are seats visible behind them.
The exterior of the six-passenger van is as well equipped with test equipment than the cargo model. The visible windows allow us to see the profile of the van, highlighting the shape and proportions of the pillars. Although the tape only partially covers the headlights, don’t let that fool you. Although the black covering covers the fenders well, the headlights will be smaller. Camo wrap hides the taillights’ size at the rear. However, the thin wrap isn’t much more than that.
This prototype was taken with the front windows down. The spy photographer could zoom in to get a closer look at the dash. An ID. An ID was required. As you can see below, the test mule was accurate as shown in the photo. It has the same digital layout. The driver gets a small screen and the middle dash has a larger floating touchscreen.
The ID. When the ID. It won’t be a microbus with 200-horsepower motors (149-watts) but it could have 300-hp (224kW) options. What about a microbus with 300 ponies. This could actually be quite a riot.
Look out for the ID. The passenger and cargo van Buzz will debut in Europe midway through 2022. Americans will need to wait until 2023.