Can you name someone who doesn’t love the look of the VW campervan? It’s such an iconic model of car, come to represent freedom, excitement, travel and a certain hedonistic lifestyle that many of us dream about… but which all too often never becomes a reality.
That could all change thanks to the latest model of the vehicle, the I.D. BUZZ concept car, a zero emission, all-wheel drive electric multipurpose vehicle (MPV) that has space for bikes and boards, eight seats and which can travel for up to 600km without having to be charged up again.
The model was showcased for the first time at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month in Detroit. It’s the first MPV that can be driven in fully automated mode as well. All you have to do is push on the steering wheel gently and watch as it moves back instantly, disappears into the cockpit and the I.D. BUZZ is switched from manual to the fully automated I.D. Pilot mode.
The driver is then able to turn around and face the passengers in the back, with laser scanners, ultrasound and radar sensors, a front camera and area-view cameras all scanning the surrounding area. Further traffic data is sent to the vehicle via the cloud.
“The I.D. BUZZ is not just a giant in terms of space: by virtue of its design it also becomes one of the world’s most comfortable cars. At 3,300 mm, it has an extremely long wheelbase. Located in between in the vehicle floor is the battery. It lowers the centre of gravity and ensures perfect weight distribution. The suspension of the I.D. BUZZ, with its electronically regulated shock absorbers, additionally ensures top-class comfort. The zero emission all-wheel drive system with output power of 275 kW / 374 PS (electric motors front and rear each delivering 150 kW) is the perfect match for the car’s dynamic character,” Volkswagen noted in a statement on its website.
Hopefully this new model will help the company repair its damaged reputation following the diesel emission scandal that rocked it hard back in the autumn of 2015. Then, it was revealed that some cars should not have been deemed fit for sale because it is alleged that they produced more nitrous oxide emissions than was permitted. It’s been suggested that cars affected were only able to pass emissions tests because defeat devices were fitted to engines that reduced their emissions under test conditions.
Now, according to the Daily Mail over 25,000 motorists from the UK have joined together in legal action against Volkswagen. The manufacturer agreed on a £15 billion settlement with car owners in the US, but thus far nothing has been offered to drivers in Britain or in Europe.
For motorhome alloy wheels, get in touch with us at Tyre Save today.