I’m surprised people like how it looks. I understand for safety and efficiency reasons it can’t look like the 1950-70s, but does it really have to look like this? The grill is entirely unnecessary with electric.
I get what you are saying James ….. it falls short in so many areas, objectively. However it is buying into the cult branding that really does matter, particularly in terms of residuals and and aspirations. Why do VW Transporters have such high residuals? The early Transit was so much better than the T1 and T2 as a commercial vehicle but not as a cult vehicle/camper.
The major failing of the VW nostalgia-mobiles, is that they don't share any mechanical relationship to the OG vehicles. They're basically just front-engine/FWD generic cars underneath. Saps them of all character or resemblance. If new Beetles had been a modern, inexpensive rear-engine/RWD vehicle they'da been on to something. The Buzz is just a no-engine version, with a far too plastic-clad, car-like interior, where the OG transporters really were more "commercial", and all the more endearing for it. That German "Xbus" startup got closer to the original ethos of the thing.
VW should have released it as a PHEV first and then EV versions and that's why it wont survive, I do love the look of it having had two type 2 Bays of my own.
Plug in hybrids have enough all electric range to allow many commuters to use the car as a full EV, but without the need for the massive battery and without the range concerns on longer trips and/or cold weather. Arguable the more environmentally friendly choice as it doesn't have nearly as much input to make the battery as a full ev and still wouldn't need the ICE for average commutes. And if you have a standard hybrid, why not go plug in? Most of the components are already there.
I was on a wait list for the VW New Beetle in 1998, finally got one: 5-speed manual transmission, diesel. Still have it, still drives great, still gets 50+ mpg diesel. AND people are once again excited to see it!
But disappointed tbh they should scrap it and start again, the only reason people would want to buy one is because they like Kombi’s and would want to convert it into a travel van. With a poor range and not much room for modifications you would end up getting more out of a Mercedes electric van. They’re just not there yet.
It lacks cleverness in the interior and ultimately this is the wrong shape and too heave for current EV tech. Efficiency is woeful. But… I can see the desirability of these.
I don’t understand why anyone would consider this a worthy successor to the VW Bus. It doesn’t look very retro at all, and it looks like an SUV inside and out. It doesn’t have the spaciousness of the original, and that would be the most important part to me. Is that illegal to make now or something?
Of course the hype will die down, but I don’t think it will be as passé as the beetle. Minivans and suvs are the norm for the suburban family car. Parents want a functional vehicle that isn’t as boring and dull as a van or less functional as a less embarrassing suv. This fits the bill. Not to mention that there are only a few electrics in this class of vehicle. The price will be the judge.
...And don't forget the cargo versions. Here in Portugal, the few ID Buzz ones I've seen were all for the cargo and commercial versions; way more beautiful than the passenger version, and very few alternatives in the market with similar specs. I believe those cargo versions will actually to sell very well, especially for businesses that run on very environmentally sensitive historical urban areas or natural reserve areas...
As soon as the price came up I stopped watching, don’t really know who this is aimed at. If it was a 500 mile a tank petrol or deisel and came in at £32000.00 is it would sell like hotcakes
Those things are freaking ugly. I’ve never buy one of those. It looks like a Ford focus with a flat top. I’d rather try to make a newer style one then buy one of those piece of crap.
This has more staying power than the new Beetle. I think the appeal of the VW van is not just style; it's probably the very most practical vehicle on the road and that's been a large part of its appeal through the years. The best part about it is it's incredibly spacious but it's not an SUV! The Beatle never had that kind of intense space efficient practicality. I had a 2001 Eurovan, truly hated to sell it but it just had very high miles and was becoming a maintenance problem. It had vastly more space than even the largest SUV and yet it was about 3 ft shorter and fit in my garage perfectly, parked easily, was actually kind of fun to drive. It had an enormous fold-out bed. You could get a full sheet of plywood in it and shut the hatch. You could put three fully assembled mountain bikes in the middle section, seat five people, and put a ton of stuff in the boot as well, at the same time! Or put in the jump seats and seat 7. The LWB model would be the one to get. I sure do wish all the seats were fully removable on this though. It would be a warehouse in there.
without the original specs of a campervan it just a passe gimick, in its current base model its just another electric car which falls short of the ammenities of cars half its price. soooooo....yeah
Just a pity that VW didn't give the front facia the classy look of the earlier prototypes, the lattice bumper that you could grow Ivy thru is just too gadgety ...The cream Bakelite looking interior does nothing for me either.
Definitely an unforced error. No reason for a “grill” like that with an electric at all, and the younger gens are all in on retro aesthetics. We’re tired of the “gadgety” look, as you put it.
I miss my 03 VW Eurovan MV with a VR6 201 hp. I had the suicide jumper seats in the 2nd row. It was a so practical 4 x 8 ft drywall would fit and also put 1500 lbs. skid in it. Back also had a jack knife bench/ bed. Miss that!
Not sure, I would buy it. I would have preferred a hybrid version. I also don’t like cheap plastic interior!! The windows in the back not rolling down is an issue!! I agree also with your comment regarding of the car being boring after a few years of a lot of people owning one! I owned the new version beetle when it first came out. It was great and then boring .. I will wait until they make improvements on the interior, computer system and windows.
The problem with the Beetle was that it wasn't really as good as a Golf. The Buzz will always be more scarce and doesn't have much rivalry or alternative. The id Buzz strikes me as very likeable with an undertone of disappointment because there's several things it could have done better.
Pointless car. Good content for ev-focused-RU-vidrs only. Perhaps you are the second one (first is Alex from e-for-electric channel) that dared to be skeptical about this marketing-dept-driven vehicle. VW is going so dowwwwwn.
Actually this is very much value for money On just 4.7m of lenght if offers much more space then for example a VW Touareq or any other large car that has much more lenght. This will be much easier to park then a new BMW iX5 for example. The Beetle was also beautiful I think, but not practicle. Prices on the market dropped significant, here in Switzerland for around 50d pounds for a for occassions that almost new with less then 10d KM on the counter and one year old. But to be fair, I wish there was a hybrid or petrol model of this beautiful looking car. That is the only show stopper for me. This car is made for travelling around in other countries and only a few countries in Europe have a good fast charging network. And then only along the highways, not inland. With each country having its own charging apps and - cards, making it still unfriendly to use. I don't see that change on the short term due to ending of all kind of tax advantages in major EV countries like Germany or the Netherlands. The market share of EV is internationally still something to be worry about unfortunately.
14:40 Volkswagen was one of the first manufacturers to bring a vehicle with a so-called retro design (New Beetle) onto the market. After all, it was built from 1997 to 2019, which is a long time considering that we live in an "ever-faster moving world" and constantly expect something new.
I am assuming it is close to a C1 requirement on peoples driving licences? it's a grey area with alternative fuels. I know some insurers may take issue, even though they changed the B in 2018 for alternative fuels.
There was little point to the new VW Beatle. It was a compromised golf. The mini is different enough from any other BMW product that it still sells. If they make an electric multivan then the Buzz might suffer the same fate as the Beatle . If not, then there should be demand for it if it is priced right.
I seem to remember when the beetle was relaunched in the 90s, somebody said that everyone that was excited by it bought one, and suddenly VW were left building a car that wasn't selling. I see why you say what you did about the future of this. VW will have to work at keeping it fresh.
Bug Bus has been my dream car for as long as I can remember. I was so excited when I heard they were releasing a new run... and then I saw them. Heart Broken. Guess I just need to stay on the lookout for a classic one.
Batch, I fell head over heels in love with it. But, for the Range. I will wait for the LWB with maxed out battery and hope the motor efficiency will improve to make it what I always envisioned it to be, a European tourer! God help my wallet!
There is one of the blue white ones on my road and I have to say it’s the best looking car on the street. It’s a good looking car up close. I wouldn’t buy one but I like it.
I am going to watch this (paused at the moment with Batch crouching down nearside front) even though I suspect that the usual "Electrifying" criticism of certain aspects of VW will inevitably happen. Let's see if you can prove me wrong ... 🤔 Fail. @ 7:10 the usual rubbish about the infotainment and slider bars starts. I'll not bother with the last 10 minutes.
The only downside for me would be the passenger windows being unable to roll down. That’s a no-no in my book. But I actually love the matching interior to the exterior.
Right and that’s probably why it doesn’t look better. The 50-60s versions were .44-48. Guess there’s just less play for design if they want to keep it around .29
The ID Buzz must be the biggest VW fail ever. Designed after the olden day California camper van but after it was built realising that if camper van bits were put inside it, the weight of the total unit would be outside the weight of 3.5 tonnes, the weight most people are allowed to drive who are not grand parents with grandfather rights on their licence. Not only that, 150 miles on a motorway in cold weather is dog s- - -e, for a camper van, and that is without being fitted out inside as a camper. Then we come to the ridiculous £60k price tag and the massive used depreciation, and you have a disaster on your hands. Couldn't somebody in VW see the problems before they o.k'd it to be built ?
You have obviously never driven one. Had mine for a year and it’s BRILLIANT. It never was designed as a camper van it is classified as a car - basically an alternative to boring SUVs. Yes there are a few issues but aren’t there always.
Good review. Owners are seeing around 210 miles range (unless using as a getaway car 😆). Yes some of the fittings could be better and the infotainment system is not great - but perfectly usable once you are used to it.
It doesn’t matter about the 3.5t limit now….it’s been changed to 4t for these now so no grandfather rights/C1 licence required. Realistically I’ve been getting 180-190 miles from 100% at motorway (pretty much) speeds.
Overhyped, overpriced car...lots of cheap plastic. If you look at it from the back, it looks like a regular VW Transporter. The cargo version could be interesting for small businesses which work local/regional.
Love the form factor, though. Given that today cars are different bodies on similar bases, I don't know why other (Chinese) manufacturers aren't making a similar vehicle at a more normal price.
