Volkswagen AG laid out a new design for a revived, battery-powered version of its iconic hippie-era Microbus as the carmaker seeks ways to move beyond its 16-month-old diesel emissions-cheating scandal and will overhaul its US lineup in a renewed comeback push.
The latest iteration of the van, a concept dubbed the I.D. Buzz, is part of the VW brand’s strategy to sell cars based on new electric-powering technology as of 2020 and deliver 1 million zero-emission vehicles annually by 2025, division chief Herbert Diess said Sunday in a statement.
Groupwide, Volkswagen plans deliveries of as many as 3 million battery-powered cars a year by then, with the brand’s North American production of the models starting in 2021.
The I.D. Buzz can drive as far as 270 miles (430 kilometers) without recharging, accommodates as many as eight seats and has a function for fully autonomous driving, according to the carmaker. A retractable steering wheel folds into the dashboard when the autopilot is activated. (Bloomberg)