- VW Fits Transport Shuttle and Combi Models with 65kWh battery
- Electric range is about 196 miles
- Airconsole gaming comes by default across the commercial interval
Volkswagen has announced that it has expanded its transport-line-up with battery-electric variants of the popular shuttle and combination models in its commercial vehicle area-added a more practical and robust van setting to its existing ID Buzz model.
While ID Buzz caught the public’s imagination with its funky, retro -inspired appearance, it lacked the tensile capacities of its transporting cousins. Even ID Buzz Seven-Seater variant is struggling with room for lugging voluminous objects.
Kombi, on the other hand, has historically proved a big hit with both professionals and families, clean because it can transport a family of five, as well as several mountain bikes, a tent and a dog without breaking a sweat.
The electrified iterations add a 65 kWh lithium battery, resulting in either 194 miles of range for shuttle and 196 miles of range for the combination model, presumably because the former is heavier, as can be set with an impressive nine seats.
Both the full electrical combination and shuttle will be available in either short or long wheelbase versions, where the former is able to handle a maximum payload of 896 kg and the latter available with the aforementioned nine seats as opposed to eight by default.
The equipment levels are also generous, with things like heated front seats, a 13-inch touch screen and front and rear cameras, all of which come as standard on the models at the entrance level.
Marque also announced this week that the AirConsole app, which allows users to play a number of 15 arcade games when parked, is now available as an over-the-air update in the current generation ID Buzz, Caddy, Multivan, California and Crafter Models.
This is likely to be rolled out over the latest transport area in the near future.
Analysis: Electric vans still have a way to go
In the UK Retails the cheapest electrified transport combination to £ 53,404 (approx.
But don’t get too excited because ID Buzz offers up to 293 miles of electric range and 200 kW charging capacity thanks to its 77kWh battery in the standard wheelbase version. It can also be set in a spicy GTX model that delivers 335BHPs for some serious acceleration.
The electrified transport combination and shuttle, on the other hand, use a single electric motor that develops 134BHPs, which is at the lower end of what the petrol and diesel colleagues offer – although the electrified versions are heavier.
It can also only be charged at speeds of up to 125 kW, which means that a 10-80% charge will take at least 39 minutes.
As a long -standing owner of VW’s various Istra Spring models, very little comes close to the practical, stressful capabilities and casual drives offered by the German mark.
It’s a controversial opinion, but after living with ID Buzz for a week, I think it looks a little awkward, especially in the longer wheelbase’s seven-seater versions, and the interior rope just isn’t enough to pull motorcycles or lots of camping kit as well as the whole family.
The latest battery -electric vehicle versions of the popular transport are coming close to Vee Dub van Perfection for me, it’s just a shame over the limited interval, performance and charging speeds. Oh, and that price.
