VW: The Combi makes the buzz
Volkswagen will release the new version of its legendary Combi in the fall. Discovery in preview of the ID.Buzz the first 100% electric Combi in Europe...
Of all the myths produced by the automotive industry in a century, the VW Combi is undoubtedly one of the most representative. Because it was long identified with the hippie generation and the roads to India and Kathmandu, then taken up several years ago by Gypset fashion, it symbolizes the feeling of freedom and escape attached to the car.
Like other historic models from the era of the triumphant car (the VW Beetle, the Fiat 500 or the Mini), the Combi had to be revised in a 21st century version by its manufacturer. It's now done, and it will be in an electric version!
When you've had the good fortune to own one of the emblematic models produced in the 70s, you can't refuse to receive an invitation to preview the new Combi which will be released this fall. Especially since it is on the Basque coast and in the Landes that the Volkswagen group takes us to drive its brand new ID.Buzz.
Two-tone jumpsuit
First encounter with the beast in the parking lot of Biarritz airport. The five vehicles ahead of us sport the emblematic two-tone Combi livery. In flashy colours this time, “Orange Energique” and “Yellow Lime”. The upper part, the roof and, of course, the V-shaped front flap retain the traditional "Candy White". VW also offers a total of eleven colour variants...
Go for the Yellow Lime... First impression when you sit behind the wheel of the ID.Buzz is that the interior space is generous and bright and you have the feeling of dominating the road in a high position. The 5-seater version (there is a utility version ID.Buzz Cargo) is spacious (nearly 2m wide), the rear passengers have plenty of legroom with, behind, a large 1121-litre luggage compartment.
Autonomy and security
Driving is as smooth as it is silent and, for someone new to electric driving, driving this new Combi is a real moment of bliss. As it is necessary to go into technical details, it should be noted that the ID.Buzz promises up to 419 kilometres with a recharge of around 30 minutes on a fast charging station. In town, VW even promises 573 kilometres. The vehicle is equipped with the most recent driver assistance systems and software (including the semi-autonomous "Travel Assist" driving assistant or the "Front Assist" peripheral monitoring system with detection of pedestrians and cyclists for autonomous emergency braking assistance.
On the small roads of the Basque Country as on the motorway, the ID.Buzz is very pleasant to drive. An experience all the more pleasant as it will lead us to discover two of the charming locations of the Domaines de Fontenille collection in the Landes. "The ocean", set on a hill, under the pines, on the edge of the Seignosse international golf course, then "Les Hortensias du Lac", a marvellous typically Landes residence on the shores of Lake Hossegor. A beach and surf atmosphere well in tune with the spirit of the VW Combi ... Obviously, during these two days, the ID.Buzz and its Yellow Lime livery did not go unnoticed on the Landes coast.
