Volkswagen Kombi goes electric

The Volkswagen Kombi Microbus has been given a new lease of life as an electric vehicle.

Dubbed the I.D. Buzz, it debuted at the North American International Motor Show this week.

The new Kombi seats eight, has autonomous driving technology, an impressive 430km range and a luggage area in its nose.

For those that want to take the wheel, the van can be driven normally.

Or if the passengers want to sit back and relax, there is the option of I.D. Pilot autonomous driving mode.

With this option, the steering wheel retracts, and the front seats rotate to face the other passengers.

The original Kombi is referenced in the Buzz’s styling.

Nods to the original include a huge nose-mounted VW badge, a ‘v’ line running around the side and front of the vehicle, and imitation air vents at the rear.

Volkswagen is yet to decide if it will take the Buzz beyond the concept phase.

“This concept vehicle is the world’s first electric multi-purpose vehicle to be equipped with a fully autonomous driving mode,” VW board member Dr Frank Welsch says.

“It carries the feeling of freedom of the Microbus over to a completely new era of mobility.”