E-Bulli from VW is to come in three versions – and drive autonomously
ID Buzz cargo concept. (Image: VW, via autonews.com)
VW wants to produce the E-Bulli ID Buzz in three different versions from 2022, including a cargo version for delivery services. The aim is that this version also drives autonomously.
In February, VW announced that the ID Buzz e-Bulli would be the Group’s first vehicle to be able to drive autonomously – equipped with the Argo AI self-driving system. The car presented four years ago is to be produced from 2022 and delivered in Europe in the same year. In the USA, official sales are not expected to start until 2024. According to a media report, VW is to plan the ID Buzz in three different versions depending on the market and area of application.
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Europe gets ID Buzz with six seats
The planned ride-hailing and pooling concept, which was also communicated in February, plays a role here. Because the retro vehicle with electric drive is to have variants specially designed for those ridesharing services, such as the industry platform Automotive News Europe reports. Accordingly, a ride pooling version with six seats is planned for the European market. The rear seats should be individually accessible and have a separate information screen for each: n passenger: n.
A ride-hailing version is only to be launched in the USA, which is aimed at travelers traveling alone or in small groups. This ID-Buzz variant should only have four seats, two of which are facing the front, while two are facing the rear. With the ID Buzz Cargo, a version specially tailored to the needs of delivery services is also planned. This should then manage completely without rear seats and instead have a large loading area.
VW: ID Buzz Cargo could drive autonomously
The cargo version could then also operate autonomously in the coming years. As part of the Presentation of his new car strategy For the coming years up to 2030 on July 13th, VW showed a self-driving ID Buzz in which the driver’s seat was oriented towards the rear instead of the road. Christian Senger, Head of Autonomous Driving at VW, said that an autonomously driving cargo version of the E-Bullis would make a: n Driver: in superfluous.
That, in turn, says Senger, would enable delivery services to run more efficiently. The drivers would then no longer need a driver’s license. Instead, they would rather become passengers who could concentrate fully on their cargo. VW wants to put an autonomous driving service on the road by 2025. Further details on the individual possible vehicle variants and prices are not yet available. For the ID-Buzz version expected so far, industry observers expect a price of around 40,000 euros.
