Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ID. Buzz Cargo has been named International Van of the Year 2023 (IVOTY). At a special awards ceremony on the eve of the IAA Transportation exhibition in Hannover, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) CEO Dr. Carsten Intra, was presented with the prestigious IVOTY trophy.
The judging panel, consisting of 24 journalists from across Europe, named the ID. Buzz Cargo the best van ahead of its nearest challenger, the Ford Pro E-Transit. The Renault Kangoo E-Tech Van, Nissan Townstar Zero-Emission & Mercedes-Benz eCitan placed joint third, meaning, for the first time in IVOTY history, the top three Van of the Year contenders were electrically-powered vehicles.
Electrification lighting up the commercial sector
International Van of the Year Chairman, Jarlath Sweeney, praised the ID. Buzz Cargo for its design, innovation and sustainability. He said: “It’s not too often that a totally new van concept comes around and immediately enters the marketplace. The new ID. Buzz is the case in point and has been duly honoured with this award, the highest accolade in the light commercial vehicle industry.
“Congratulations to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle‘s design team on creating this unique vehicle that’s perfect for the environmentally conscious urban environment. It certainly makes a statement with its futuristic and slick styling, yet harks back to the original Transporter T1, from 70 years ago, with its V-shaped bonnet, prominent VW badge, and short overhangs.”
ID. Buzz epitomises bright future of e-mobility
Accepting the IVOTY 2023 trophy, Dr. Carsten Intra, CEO Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “On behalf of the entire Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles team, I would like to thank the jury members. We are extremely proud and see this confirmation of our work as a motivation to continue to offer the right commercial vehicle for each of our customers. The new ID. Buzz Cargo is the right model for commercial customers at the right time.”
Cutting edge technology, peerless practicality and a beloved heritage
The ID. Buzz Cargo and its ID. Buzz passenger stablemate, are set to arrive in Ireland in the coming weeks. Priced from €41,738* for the ID. Buzz Cargo and €65,890** for ID. Buzz passenger, both variants feature an all-electric driving range of 402 to 425km (WLTP) as well as styling inspired by the original T1 Bulli from the 1950s.
Passenger and Cargo versions of the ID. Buzz use a 77kWh lithium-ion battery to power a rear-mounted electric motor that develops 310Nm of torque and an output of 150kW (204 PS).
Available with two or three seats, the ID. Buzz Cargo has a load space capacity of 3.9 m3, which is enough room for two euro pallets. Maximum payload is 650kg. It has an electronically-limited top speed of 145kph as well as a fast charging capacity of up to 170kW, enough to charge the battery from 5% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Delivering on its promises
ID. Buzz Cargo is a hugely practical and versatile van, measuring 1.98m wide, 1.93m tall and 4.7m in length. It has a wheelbase of nearly 3m and a load sill of 0.63m.
It offers a wide variety of trim lines to suit all needs. It comes with cruise control, dual sliding doors and front and rear parking sensors as standard. The mid-tier Cargo Executive offers the addition of 19” ‘Tilburg’ alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, “Keyless Entry” central locking and rear view camera system starting from €41,738*.
Meanwhile, flagship trim the Cargo Max features 20” ‘Solna’ alloy wheels, Travel and Park assist along with Discover Pro Navigation starting from €51,587*. Prices shown for ID. Buzz Cargo are ex. VAT and are inclusive the current government grant of €3,800. Passenger versions of the ID. Buzz launch with four trim levels – Life, Family, Tech and Max – with pricing from €65,890**.
Sustainability is an integral part the new ID. Buzz, from design, to manufacturing, to the road. The leather-free interior features recycled synthetic materials including seats made from reclaimed sea plastics and recycled plastic bottles. The ID. Buzz is manufactured using sustainable components: battery housings and wheel rims are made from green aluminium and tyres from low-emission production.
Highest accolade for new arrival
Now in its 31st year, the International Van of the Year Award is the most prestigious honour in light commercial vehicles. Entrants are judged on a range of factors, including efficiency, safety, sustainability and environmental standards. To be eligible, vehicles must be new, in series production by the end of the year for which it receives the award, and present a significant technological innovation.
Alan Bateson, Director for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, says International Van of the Year 2023 Award is recognition of the ID. Buzz Cargo’s game-changing feature set.
“Winning the highest honour in light commercial vehicles is a remarkable achievement,” he says “The ID. Buzz Cargo is a van unlike any other – practical, innovative, sustainable and 100% electric, it has it all. The ID. Buzz is truly unique in the automotive sphere.
“Having driven it last month and witnessed the overwhelming feedback from the journalists who tested it, I am excited to finally see it on Irish roads. The ID. Buzz Cargo is a truly exceptional vehicle, full of innovations, sustainable materials and premium design. It is the living embodiment of our brand promise: We transport success, freedom and future.”
For more information on the ID. Buzz or to configure a model, please see the following link – ID. Buzz Cargo (volkswagenvans.ie)
* Prices are Ex. VAT with grant of €3,800 applied and excluding delivery and correct at the time of publication
** Prices are RRP including VAT and excluding delivery and correct at time of publication
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