Here is the poor man’s Volkswagen ID.Buzz… at €50,000

The German market launches a new “budget” version of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz in Freestyle trim. Honestly, what’s the point?

Is the business of the ID.Buzz doing so poorly that yet another version, equipped with cheap black plastic bumpers worthy of a low-cost utility vehicle, is being introduced? How can a minivan be so desirable in vibrant shades yet so bland when stripped of its stylistic elements?

But the question goes even further: what sane mind would be tempted by the idea of buying this Freestyle version whose price in Germany starts at €49,997.85? Note the cents; they matter for the financial health of Volkswagen. In reality, this Freestyle version is therefore €4,130 less expensive in Germany than an ID.Buzz Pure (€54,127.15) with a two-tone color scheme.

German way of life?

Under the gray sky of Wolfsburg, home to Volkswagen, the cheerfulness brought by the black and white coloring and the plastic hubcaps of the ID.Buzz Freestyle will be limited. Available only with the short wheelbase and a 59 kWh battery, the promised range is 329 kilometers, or 250 real kilometers. On the highway, consumption is reported at 27.2 kWh per 100 km, resulting in a distance of less than 200 real kilometers with people and luggage on board. The power reaches 125 kW, or 170 horsepower to move the 3 tons of the vehicle, which is quite little.

Inside, you will have the choice of hard plastics, dark gray upholstery, and the closed expressions of your passengers who will resent you for being so stingy as to have opted for this version that is frankly not funky.

As it stands, the French market seemingly has not expressed a desire to market this ID.Buzz Freestyle trim… and that’s a good thing. Right?

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