Credit: Volkswagen
The highly anticipated Volkswagen ID.Buzz, the evolved electric version of VW’s much loved Kombi van, has received a “very good” and a best possible 5-star rating from Euro NCAP.
The VW ID.Buzz micro-bus has a lot to live up to, and the hype around the electric successor to the iconic Kombi van, before and after its official launch, has highlighted the growing demand for electric versions of all types of vehicles.
One of a number of important steps on the way to launching a new vehicle is the necessary safety tests, and the European test organisation Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) has put the ID.Buzz through its paces, which it passed with flying colours.
The ID.Buzz received high marks across three of the four safety categories – 92% for the adult occupant, 87% for a child occupant, and 90% for safety assist. The Buzz only faltered on the ‘vulnerable road users’ category, but still achieved a 60% rating.
Combined, the Buzz received five stars for vehicle safety. The 92% for adult occupant safety was bolstered by a combination of airbags – with driver, front passenger, centre, and side airbags in the cockpit and curtain airbags in the front windows all equipped as standard – and the corresponding design of the body structure.
Fitted with a number of driver assist and emergency braking systems, the Buzz also scored well in the ‘safety assist’ category.
Volkswagen announced just last month two new driver assistance technologies available in the Buzz, including Travel Assist with swarm data and Park Assist Plus with memory function.
These compliment existing safety systems such as lane assist and autonomous emergency braking for vulnerable road users and car-to-car.
Meanwhile, several ID.Buzz right hand drive vehicles have made their way to Australian shores, ahead of an expected announcement this week on when it might be available to buy.
VW has sold more than 500,000 of its ID electric series across the world, but none in Australia to date. It blames this on the lack of a vehicle emissions target in Australia, which might sound a bit rich for a company embroiled in the “dieselgate” emissions scandal.
But all car makers have been sending their EVs as a priority to European markets, where there are tough vehicle emissions standards, with the exception of Tesla, which has been able to dominate the EV market in Australia.
VW is expected to deliver its first ID.4 electric SUVs to Australian customers at the end of 2023, and it will be interesting to see the timing of the ID.Buzz, given that this will be its best opportunity to offer something different to the market.
VW Australia did not respond to The Driven’s request for information. “Be assured that our brands will prioritise such media as we see fit,” a spokesperson said.
To read our First Drive report on the ID.Buzz – we got to drive one in Germany in September – please read this: First drive of Volkswagen ID.Buzz: Urban cool and tight turning circles
Additional reporting from Giles Parkinson.
Keyword: ID.Buzz receives 5-star safety rating ahead of Australian rollout plans