The ID. Buzz has been many things in its relatively short life: a design inspiration, a family transporter, an electric car with the look of a Bulli. Now it is joined by another discipline, which at Volkswagen traditionally quickly turns in the direction of pillows, a cooker and a cool box. The new "Good Night" package does not yet turn this electric bus into a "California", but at least it is a useful small camper for spontaneous overnight stays.
Interestingly, VW is not embarking on a major camping project at all, but consciously opting for a small solution suitable for everyday use. With the T7 Multivan with the "Gute-Nacht" package, this is exactly what worked well: it is not a half-California, but a cleverly designed bus for those who do not want to drive a camper in their everyday life.
The ID. Buzz has been many things in its relatively short life: a design inspiration, a family transporter, an electric car with the look of a Bulli. Now it is joined by another discipline, which at Volkswagen traditionally quickly turns in the direction of pillows, a cooker and a cool box. The new "Good Night" package does not yet turn this electric bus into a "California", but at least it is a useful small camper for spontaneous overnight stays.
Interestingly, VW is not trying to take on a big camping project at all, but consciously opts for a small solution suitable for everyday use. With the T7 Multivan with the "Gute-Nacht" package, this worked well: it is not a half-California, but a cleverly designed bus for those who do not want to drive a camper in their everyday life. This made the concept attractive, because it did not artificially turn the Multivan into a camper, but simply sensibly upgraded its advantages in the direction of overnight accommodation.
The package includes a bed frame, a precisely fitting 2,0 x 1,2 metre folding mattress, a window tint kit, ventilation grilles for the front and side windows, and a table and two chairs. At first glance, this sounds like a list of accessories, but overall it is exactly the solution that prevents spontaneous sleepovers from turning into a crafting workshop.
The real trick is in the software. VW is introducing a new “overnight” mode for the ID. Buzz, which can maintain the desired temperature inside the vehicle for up to 48 hours. Especially in motorhomes, it is not only the mattress that decides how the night will go, but also whether you get out in the morning rested or slightly chilled. At the same time, the lighting and comfort functions are limited so that the motorhome does not act as if it were still standing in a showroom at night.
In addition, there is a new “Vehicle-to-Load” function, in which the ID. Buzz provides up to 2.000 watts of continuous power at 230 volts via an adapter, which allows household appliances to be operated or an electric bike to be charged. In practice, this means: the cooler bag works, the coffee machine works, and the bike charger works. In terms of price, VW is staying within a framework that is not too burdensome in everyday life in a motorhome. The “Gute Nacht” package is available for the personal car versions of the ID. and costs 2.600 euros. It is available for the ID. Buzz with both wheelbases and all seat configurations.
The ID. Buzz follows a trend we are currently seeing more and more often: a smaller motorhome, a more modular solution for everyday life and short trips in between. The VanTrack upgrade for the Kia PV5 goes in a similar direction – except it has a rear module, a mobile kitchen and a base price of around 10.000 euros.
Ventje and Tonke have taken a step further with a compact electric camper van based on the ID. Buzz, but this solution is also much more demanding. The ID. Buzz with the “Gute Nacht” package will not replace the California, but will receive a suitable upgrade for camping. Thus, it remains primarily a bus for everyday use, but at night it can also serve as a camper van.
