The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the German automaker’s revival of the famous Volkswagen Microbus, and it’ll have a lot of modern features. Not only is the ID. Buzz an EV, but it’ll come with other high-tech features as well as some more practical features. Here’s a look at the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Buzz and its built-in heated mirrors that were tested in negative 20 degree temps. 

A short behind-the-scenes documentary of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz

According to CarBuzz, Volkswagen recently released a short documentary about the ID. Buzz. The documentary was about the development process behind the ID. Buzz and it showed off some interesting info. For example, while it uses the same platform and has a few of the same parts as the Volkswagen ID.4, the ID. Buzz is practically a new vehicle.

Volkswagen’s engineers and designers took a lot of inspiration and knowledge from the past when they were designing the brand-new EV. For example, the ID. Buzz was designed to be very efficient, and a lot of that efficiency came from its physical design. However, according to CarBuzz, Volkswagen also used other methods to make it an efficient vehicle, including using low-friction componentry and a more efficient wheel design.

Like many other automakers, Volkswagen also tested the ID. Buzz extensively. Unlike testing that’s done by car critics, Volkswagen’s tests were done to see where the ID. Buzz could be improved and what its limits are. That stress-testing also included winter conditions, as Volkswagen designed the electric van to be able to handle some cold weather.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s heated mirrors were tested well

Cold weather can be bad news for a lot of cars, and that’s the case for EVs especially. That’s because cold weather can sap range from an EV, but it’ll pose other threats too. One of those threats is visibility, as ice and snow can make it hard for drivers to see around their car, and also their mirrors. That’s where the ID. Buzz’s heated mirrors come along.

During testing, Volkswagen chilled the ID. Buzz down to about negative 20 degrees, though according to CarBuzz, it’s not clear if this was negative 20 degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. Either way, it was cold enough for the mirrors to ice up. Volkswagen then turned on the heated mirrors, and the goal was for the ID. Buzz to take about three minutes to clear up the iced-up mirrors. The ID. Buzz was able to do just that. 

An overview

Those heated mirrors will help the ID. Buzz in winter conditions, but drivers should still be aware of the minivan’s range. Volkswagen hasn’t released any range estimates yet, but it should be able to get about 260 miles on a single charge. That’s an average amount of range, but Volkswagen will have access to DC fast charging capability. It should be able to charge from 5 to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Since the ID. Buzz is a minivan, it won’t be very powerful, but because it’s an EV, it will be fast. The standard powertrain gets 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, and in the future, Volkswagen will offer a dual-motor option that gets 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque instead. The standard electric motor will be able to get the ID. Buzz from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds.

In terms of tech, it’ll come with some nice big screens, including an option for a 12-inch touch screen. As for pricing, the ID. Buzz may start at about $40,000. However, Americans will have to wait until 2024 to get their hands on it.