With its new electric ID. Buzz it has made some key references back to its iconic ‘buses’ which established themselves as the go-to choice of adventurers and drivers who like the freedom to travel wherever they like.
But are there any connections that you can make between the two to see this lineage? Let’s take a look and see if there are any there to discover.
Design
The look of the ID. Buzz might definitely be rooted in the modern, but there are some subtle touches there to hark back to its predecessors. These are more noticeable on the seven-seater version, too, as the extra glass makes it look a little closer to the original ‘Samba’ bus.
One feature which is definitely noticeable is the large Volkswagen badge on the nose. Of course, the Buzz wears Volkswagen’s new ‘flat’ style of logo, but it’s definitely close in design to that of the original Samba.
Interior
The Samba bus was a pioneer when it came to interior flexibility and space, with chairs that provided a comfortable place to recline whether the car was moving or stationary. It also had front seats with plenty of space in between them, providing a touch extra storage space.
It’s the same story in the Buzz. Though screens and technology might dominate its forward cabin, it still has a very practical interior while the forward seats continue to offer some handy space in between them.
Mileage
Though you’d usually associate range with the electric model here, you could argue that the ID. Buzz isn’t actually the model where you’d be worried about running out of juice. Most owners estimate a range of around 280 miles in the original Samba bus, which means that it only slightly eclipses the 258-mile range you’d get in the Buzz.
Plus, the Samba is a little slow by today’s standards, whereas the ID. Buzz’s 10.2 second 0-60mph sprint time is a lot more current.
Forward control
The original Samba bus pioneered a ‘forward control’ layout. With the driver and passenger sitting above the front wheels, there was loads of space on offer. It’s a layout which went on to prove popular not only in other Volkswagen models, but other vans, too.
It’s something which was carried on to the Buzz, as well. The electric motor powering the Buzz is mounted at the rear, which means that it can use the same forward control layout that the Samba pioneered all those years ago.
Extra features
One of the best features on the original bus was a fabric sunroof which allowed some of the outdoors inside. The Buzz might not be available with a fabric sunroof, but the seven-seater version is equipped with one of the largest glass roof pieces ever produced by Volkswagen. It also uses ‘smart glass’ which can be changed from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
And, like the original, you can continue to get this new Volkswagen ‘bus’ in an eye-catching split-colour design.
