A taste of things to come. This is probably the best way to describe the widebody Volkswagen ID. Buzz rendering currently occupying our screens. The 3D work builds on the electric people mover/cargo van the German automaker unveiled as a global model back in February and there’s a reason why the creations seems like it just got released by a major aftermarket developer.
Digital artist Karak (aka supremekarak), who sits behind the proposal, explains that he sought inspiration in multiple widebody kits for road cars and racers alike when putting these pixels together.
The rear bumper’s factory appearance is an exception. That’s because the rest of the vehicle’s lower side has been aero-sculpted. The list includes the front apron extensions, the front, and rear overfenders, as well as the side skirt extensions. And a roof spoiler comes as a bonus—we’ve also included the factory vehicle in the image gallery, so you can easily compare the two.
Widebodying a vehicle of this shape is never an easy task. But it seems that Karak got things right. And, on top of the aero work, the pixel master added Rotiform aerodisc wheels covers featuring a custom honeycomb pattern, along with a two-tone black-and-yellow color scheme. You can see where this is going: it all ties into a bee theme, which naturally resonates with the name of the Volkswagen. And this is what inspired us to use the nickname in the title.
And while the 20-year-old enthusiasts hasn’t announced any plans to bring the kit into the real world, it’s obvious that, once the ID. Buzz reaches the street later this year, tuners are going to have their way with it.
Expect a wave of custom examples
Alas, the 2022 market arrival is only true for the Old Continent and while America is also getting the spacious EV, the move isn’t scheduled to happen until 2024. So, unless builders go crazy and find a way to import one of these, we’ll probably be seeing custom examples at Germany’s Essen Motor Show before they end up on the SEMA floor.
Volkswagen took no less than two decades to deliver a modern iteration of its VW Beetle-based Bulli van that came around in the 1950s, showcasing multiple concepts during all that time. The production ID. Buzz rides on the company’s MEB (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten) platform (think: VW ID models).
And while the Euro specs published so far talk about a single (rear) motor producing 201 hp (154 kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) and using a an 82 kWh (77 kWh net) battery, these figures don’t sit too well with go-fast enthusiasts—no 0-60 mph time was offered, while the top speed is capped at 90 mph (145 km/h).
And we’re ready to bet our swap money on the fact that the more permissive U.S. legislation will see the craziest customizations coming from this side of the pond. And while a Tesla dual-motor transplant is the first thing that comes to mind, we’d be surprised if a host of V8 engines didn’t make it into this Voltswagen.
