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Is there a more iconic sight than a Volkswagen Kombi parked by the beach with surfboards strapped to its roof? Personally, I think it’s one of our most nostalgic images; an idyllic symbol of free-spirited escape on the open road.
A new generation of Australians can now experience everything that made the Kombi a legend, thanks to the arrival of its successor, the all-electric ID. Buzz. This new take on the classic Volkswagen is well-positioned to become an icon in its own right. Combining that same exhilarating sense of freedom with a massive design and technology upgrade, it’s the ultimate modern people mover, whether you’re roadtripping, heading to the beach, or simply running errands in style.
Pairing an all-electric platform with the flexibility of five- and seven-seat options, which you can choose to wrap in two-tone paint and unmistakable retro styling, the ID. Buzz has the look, comfort, and engaging performance you need for your next coastal (or any other kind of) adventure.
Inside the Next-Generation Icon
Comfortable, practical, and laden with tech, the interior of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is expertly crafted to help you make the most of every trip. Boasting tri-zone climate control with vents in the second and third row, electric rear sliding windows in the passenger doors, ambient lighting with 10 colours (and the option to upgrade to 30), along with a whopping seven USB-C ports and wireless phone charging, step inside, and you’ll find plenty of bells and whistles.
Once you’ve taken in your surroundings, you’ll inevitably focus on the 12.9-inch touchscreen at the centre of the dashboard, which supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. It acts as the ID. Buzz’s central control hub, offering intuitive menus and touch sliders for air conditioning and volume control.
Accompanying sound is managed via a nine-speaker sound system consisting of five in the front and four in the rear, while an optional infotainment package adds a head-up display and the enticing prospect of Harman Kardon audio.
Another worthy addition is the panoramic roof with smart glass, which features a switchable liquid-crystal foil operated via a slider that adjusts the volume of natural sunlight you want to let in. It’s another touch that’s decidedly modern and yet very much feels in the spirit of the original Kombi.
What’s It Like to Drive?
The ID. Buzz backs up its undeniable style with a generous serving of on-road substance.
Due to its low centre of gravity and the instant torque from the rear electric motor, it’s a surprisingly nimble people mover that will have you feeling like you’re behind the wheel of a much smaller vehicle.
It also really delivers in terms of ride quality. It’s compliant as you cruise around your neighbourhood, and positively glides up and down the freeway. Far more akin to an SUV than a van in terms of feel, its steering wheel, brake, and accelerator pedal are all superbly weighted, and you can always tell the direction the front wheels are facing.
Finally, despite the sitting position being further back than a traditional van, the ID. Buzz offers outstanding visibility. You’ll feel like you have a superior vantage point to just about everyone else on the road. Oxcellent over-shoulder visibility is similarly excellent, which will come in handy as you zip around in your agile people mover.
Climb Aboard a Classic
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz offers the perfect balance of the nostalgic and the contemporary, serving up retro-inspired style and exhilarating performance in equal measure. It’s a simple formula, but boy, is it an impressive one.
Over 70 years since the Kombi van first turned heads, that spirit is alive and well in the ID. Buzz. Discover more via the link below.
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