VW Design chief transforms I.D. Buzz into EV pick-up
Would a pick-up version of the ID. Buzz make sense?
Back in March, Volkswagen brought back the 'Kombi' as a stylish electric people carrier. Called the ID. Buzz, the boxy EV has short overhangs, large windows, and a distinct profile much like the original T1 Microbus. It's available in five-, six- and seven-seater variations and has an 82 kWh battery pack that powers a single electric motor so it can deliver 201 PS with 310 Nm of torque.
Those output figures combined with its sleek looks make the ID. Buzz one good-looking, zero-emissions people carrier. But since it can easily ferry plenty of people in one go, perhaps the platform of the ID. Buzz can be used for something more utilitarian.
That's what Volkswagen Design boss Klaus Zyciora recently did when he revealed a render of the ID. Buzz as an electric pick-up truck. Posted on his personal Instagram page, the electric pick-up still features the familiar face of the people carrier. It's at the back where most of the changes can be seen.
Instead of a rear passenger compartment at the back, it now comes with a decent-sized cargo bed. The thin LED taillights have been retained which give the vehicle a dashing look. And since it's a crew cab pick-up, Zyciora was able to put rear doors on the back for a more practical design.
All in all, the idea of turning the ID. Buzz into a zero-emissions pick-up truck is not too far off. However, this is not the first time this type of idea became reality. Throughout the various generations of the Transporter (the successor to the original T1 Microbus), Volkswagen made pick-up trucks based on the platform. Called Doppelkabine (German for double cabin), they came with a cargo bed, four doors, and two rows of seats.
For now, the 3D render of the ID. Buzz as a pick-up truck will remain like that, a render. But since Volkswagen plans to make multiple variants of the ID. Buzz (a Cargo version is already on its way), could the Wolfsburg-based automaker actually make the pick-up truck idea into reality? We're keeping our fingers crossed Volkswagen decides to do so.
