VW I.D. BUZZ CARGO - an electric salute to the awesome T2 panel van
The I.D. Buzz may be coming in 2022, but VW is bringing another electric member of the family along too.
Back at the Detroit Motor Show in 2017, the world has first clapped eyes on the electric I.D. BUZZ Concept. It won our hearts and souls, partly because it's strangely charming, and partly because this feels like the future version of the classic VW Splitscreen Bus, which is equally awesome.
After the high praise from press and public, Volkswagen decided to build the I.D. BUZZ alongside the other two models, namely the I.D and the I.D. CROZZ, to complete the full electric car family.
Volkswagen, however, thinks that something's missing. Something needs to be revived from the past too, something such as the Type 2 Panel Van. Hence the new kid on the block - the I.D. BUZZ CARGO. Yes they're all in block letters, like the other cars in the family. Don't ask.
You might think that the CARGO looks very much like it's brother - the I.D. BUZZ, because as the name suggests, they are based on the same platform. The platform in question is the MEB or Modular Electric Drive Kit.
The most impressive thing about the I.D. BUZZ CARGO is that it's got the problem of range anxiety for electric cars sorted. Thanks to MEB, Volkswagen is able to fit a big enough battery for the CARGO to run for a whopping 550 miles without going to the charging station, which is on par with some of the best electric cars on the market.
To achieve that impressive range, VW put a solar panel on top of the van, which gives it an extra range of 15km. Fancy!
However, the one thing that the old van lacks is creature comforts. You sit on top of everything. Yes you do get a good view out of the window, but that's about it. The steering wheel is in the wrong place, and the driving position is all kinds of wonky.
Fear no more, because thanks to modern day technology, Volkswagen has fitted the CARGO with something called 'I.D. Pilot', which drives the CARGO to wherever you want to send your cargo to. In Pilot mode, the CARGO 'drives using full automation (level 4)', in Volkswagen's own words. Of course, if you don't like the automated driving, you can always turn it off, and enjoy the drive to the post office yourself.
Furthermore, if you are a worker, and you need a place for you to charge up your tools, Volkswagen has got you covered. They've very kindly fitted a 230V socket in the CARGO for you to plug your drills and your grinders into. Makes life a whole lot easier, right?
Do you prefer the old-school Type 2 Panel Van, or the new CARGO? Comment below!
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Comments (2)
It's not too bad. Though the name is.
I like the idea of blocking every single letter, it feels like they're trying extremely hard and it makes the car somewhat a talking point