In recent days, the circle has been swept away by a Volkswagen electric vehicle – Volkswagen has released a single-van based on the MEB platform in Germany – ID.BUZZ, which will be divided into two versions: passenger cars and trucks.
ID.BUZZ design classic, we will not talk about it, it inherits the design essence of Volkswagen's most famous model of the 1950s and 60s. This is Volkswagen's fifth model on the MEB platform after ID.3 to ID.6, and it can be regarded as the first MPV model.
We're going to talk about the MEB platform that ID.BUZZ uses, which is almost tailor-made for this car. I even believe that the MEB platform was designed with all the conveniences in mind to provide ID.BUZZ.
But the Volkswagen MEB platform has come to the present, its advantages and disadvantages have been exposed, and there is not much room for development in the future.
The MEB's flexible layout facilitates ID.BUZZ
The Volkswagen MEB pure electric platform is used in the ID.3, with a wheelbase of 2765mm and a length of 4261mm. The ID.BUZZ standard axle version of the model is 4712mm/1985mm/1937mm, with a wheelbase of 2988mm, which is the longest wheelbase model of the MEB platform. And there are also long-shaft models to be released later.
In addition, as a pure electric platform, the MEB does not have a gearbox for fuel vehicles, transmission shafts, etc., so it is a perfect match for use in ID.BUZZ such a single-van. Not only is the floor designed to be fully flat, but even the side channels between the main and co-pilots can be retained.
The MEB platform was originally designed with this tolerance in mind. But everything has two sides, the tolerance is too high design, and the balance of the surface also proves that its performance is not outstanding in one aspect.
As a passenger car, it can be supplied with 2+2+3, 2+2+2 and 2+3+2 seat layouts, and even offers different wheelbases depending on the country version. When it comes to pulling, the five-seater passenger version can carry 1121L of luggage, up to 2205L. The large space is also the advantage of the fuel version of the Volkswagen T1 72 years ago.
MeB's steering flexibility provides convenience for long wheelbase models
The MEB platforms are designed with classic McPherson-style structures, with steering columns located below the front and a variety of suspension structures on the rear axle as needed. If the McPherson front suspension is used in Audi models, it can be slightly inferior, but it is very suitable for use in The Volkswagen ID.BUZZ.
In addition to the cost considerations, the MEB design is very compact in the front axle drive unit, McPherson suspension and steering mechanism. In particular, the longitudinal components can be moved backwards for a long distance, which creates space for meb models to design large wheel arches, such as the largest rim of the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ can be up to 21 inches.
This design has a distinct advantage, ultimately allowing the front wheels to steer at a greater angle. For example, friends who have driven ID.4, ID.6 and other models know that they do not have any rear wheel steering technology, but the steering diameter is very small. For example, the Audi Q4 e-tron steering diameter is 10.2 meters, and the fuel version of the golf steering diameter is also 10.9 meters.
Although Volkswagen ID.BUZZ does not provide steering diameter data, it is believed that steering flexibility is its advantage. This has obvious advantages for a large sized van, especially when used in those narrow streets of Europe. And it doesn't require the high-cost technology of rear wheel steering.
MEB dynamics and sportiness are short boards
If there are any shortcomings of the MEB platform that takes into account all aspects, the performance is believed to be the most prominent point. In today's electric vehicle era, even BYD is a 4-second club, Tesla, Weilai ET7 and the like are 3-second clubs, but the models under the MEB platform are difficult to bring an intense driving experience.
The Volkswagen ID.BUZZ adopts the ID.4 rear-drive motor with a maximum power of 150 kW, a peak torque of 310 N·m, and a maximum speed of 145 km/h. We know that the European version of the ID.4 motor is produced by Huayu Magna, and the production site is in the Baoshan factory in Shanghai.
But in any case, such power is obviously insufficient for Volkswagen ID.BUZZ a large car of this size.
But I believe that the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ will provide a dual motor version, even if its performance is not very prominent.
MEB: The right one is the best
Now Volkswagen ID.BUZZ use a battery with a total capacity of 82kWh (usable capacity of 77kWh), but the endurance results have not been announced. This battery has the same capacity as the Volkswagen ID.4, ID.6 and Audi Q5 e-tron.
ID.BUZZ will be produced at Volkswagen's plant in Hanover, Germany, and will be pre-sold in Europe in May this year and officially launched in the autumn. In the future, it will be exported to the North American market, but whether to introduce the Chinese market is not news for the time being.
For the advantages and disadvantages of MEB, the public believes that it is also very clear. Therefore, in the release of the 2030 NEW AUTO strategy in July last year, it was mentioned that the future MEB will be replaced by the SSP platform, and Volkswagen's current electric vehicle software is not good, the platform limits its intelligence, and the future new platform will be software-driven like Tesla.
But for car manufacturing, advanced is not necessarily the best, suitable is the most important. For the MEB platform and the public ID.BUZZ, is not it also a perfect match?