Dear God, Please Let the I.D. Buzz Copy the Volkswagen California's Interior

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

While the United States seems intent on pushing vans into the work-vehicle category, Europe continues to enjoy them for leisure activities. That’s a shame because there’s a chance some of that interesting van culture would have trickled over the ocean were it not for the chicken tax and unwarranted prejudice.

Volkswagen has several such lifestyle units, with the California being arguably the best in its fleet. Funnily enough, the model isn’t sold in California — nor anywhere else in the U.S. — but a recent update could hint at the direction VW will be taking with the I.D. Buzz. Based on the Transporter and outfitted as a camper van, the California is the true spiritual successor to the microbus. It can certainly trace its linage back to the Type 2 via the Transporter, while its motorhome amenities and optional paint schemes help to finish the job.

Last last week, VW unveiled the Grand California. Effectively a jumbo-sized version of the original, the model stuffs in more camper-friendly features an the promise of a cross-country adventure. It even comes with a fully functional bathroom, for Christ’s sake.

However, as I was swooning over the German brand’s tribute to that sweet van life, I noticed the press photos featured a shot next to the standard California. It was decked out in a two-tone paint scheme that made me genuinely hopeful that the Buzz wouldn’t be butchered into a completely vanilla family hauler. We’ve seen the concept wearing bright, contrasting hues without any assurance that Volkswagen would stick with it once production time came. But the California seems like a good omen.

Since the California isn’t sold here, the model is usually off my radar. I don’t keep close tabs on it, as there’s no good reason to get worked up over a vehicle I’ll never have the opportunity to own. However, the Buzz is coming to America and it’s supposed to be a passenger van as well as a lifestyle vehicle — just like the Type 2 used to be.

VW has repeatedly mentioned how the MEB platform allows the electrified van to have a totally flat floor. That’s code for “we can fill it with crap.”

What kind of additions can we expect to the cabin? Based on the preview images of the concept, adjustable seats are probably a given and a collapsable table with some unique storage options are also likely. But the Buzz’s smaller size nullifies its ability to become a full-blown mobile home. We don’t expect VW to be chucking in dishwashers or bathrooms. However, the manufacturer (or an aftermarket company) could easily toss a pop top on the e-van for upright standing or improvised sleeping arrangements.

The commercial-airplane interior of the Grand California is a little too ambitious for the Buzz, but it certainly whets the appetite of hungry van enthusiasts. Hopefully, VW does this one right and realizes that the Buzz isn’t getting all this attention just because it’s an electric vehicle. It’s the customizability of the platform and Volkswagen’s promise of fun and adventure that’s getting so many of us excited.

[Images: Volkswagen Group]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Aug 13, 2018

    These vehicles are good arguments for consistent safety standards across continents. I should be able to special order one of these if VW chose not to directly offer them to dealers, but because of reasons (?), I can't. Can someone enlighten me as to the differences between NCAP standards and those here in the US?

  • TimK TimK on Aug 20, 2018

    And the average garage continues to shrink in area and door height. These might make sense for the few that own dedicated RV spaces or those that can afford to store the vehicle when it's not in use. For everyone else it sits in a driveway or siding, cooking and deteriorating in the sun. Perhaps they might find a market in RV rental services.

  • Lorenzo Are they calling it a K4? That's a mountain in the Himalayas! Stick with names!
  • MaintenanceCosts It's going to have to go downmarket a bit not to step on the Land Cruiser's toes.
  • Lorenzo Since EVs don't come in for oil changes, their owners don't have their tires rotated regularly, something the dealers would have done. That's the biggest reason they need to buy a new set of tires sooner, not that EVs wear out tires appreciably faster.
  • THX1136 Always liked the Mustang though I've never owned one. I remember my 13 yo self grabbing some Ford literature that Oct which included the brochure for the Mustang. Using my youthful imagination I traced the 'centerfold' photo of the car AND extending the roof line back to turn it into a small wagon version. At the time I thought it would be a cool variant to offer. What was I thinking?!
  • GregLocock That's a bodge, not a solution. Your diff now has bits of broken off metal floating around in it.
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