Rigorous testing at different latitudes for Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Before the start of production, Volkswagen ID. Buzz faced and passed many tests under extreme conditions. From scorching heat to freezing cold, on all kinds of ground conditions, the heir of the "Bulli" traveled the world to ensure the highest possible quality.
Quality is not a coincidence: to meet Volkswagen's stringent standards, during the development phase the new ID. Buzz had to pass a marathon of highly complex tests, under extreme conditions, at different latitudes. On the path in search of the highest possible quality, the heir to the "Bulli" was attended by specialists from Technical Development and Quality Control.
The ideal destinations? Places that could potentially cause the most discomfort, with particularly challenging conditions: scorching heat, tropical rain or freezing cold, varying temperature and humidity, with extreme peaks. In many cases, test drives took place on alternative surfaces than the traditional road surface. But then again, the vehicles had to be put through their paces before going into production. Here some examples.
The ID.Buzz's extreme temperature tests
Speaking of road surfaces, the ID. Buzz showed its full potential in Scandinavia on snow and ice. The focus in these kinds of tests was on material design, electric and electronic functions, set-up, start-up, braking, steering, and general vehicle behavior in low-grip conditions, and thermal management of the entire car.
Meanwhile, back in 2020 Volkswagen engineers took advantage of the hot summer in southern Italy. The test facility in Nardò, Puglia, proved to be perfect for performance tests and significant mileage in scorching weather, useful for analyzing in detail the performance and the battery charging process.
Beating sun, dry and dust-filled ground: a white well-camouflaged ID. Buzz proceed on the stony surface, tested by the deep potholes on the course - again, testing means going to the extreme, to optimize technology development.
Final tuning
Extreme conditions put all components to the test, including those that help define driving dynamics: "Shortly before the launch, we test the final application state directly on the vehicles. This way we make sure that the ID. Buzz is further put to the test, in this case with an approach that takes the customers' point of view into account", explains Stefan Lutz, ID. Buzz Project Leader for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Volkswagen's electric cars, in the same way as vehicles with endothermic engines, are also subjected to a rigorous testing program that aims to ensure a high level of practicality in everyday use, without limitations and in all climatic conditions. To achieve this level, even the smallest details are obviously taken care of: for example, in the cold climate chamber, the speed with which the mirrors heating manage to clear the frozen once the car is started is measured.
The everyday practicality of the "Bulli"
"The Bulli has always stood out thanks to its practicality, which is why we are testing the ID. Buzz in all conditions and in all weather", Lutz resumes. All controls and systems must work perfectly, as must displays and operating procedures, while liquids must not lose their properties. "Only in this way can we be certain that it can be used without problems in every region of the planet".
In addition to tests involving major components such as the chassis and transmission, functional and stress tests also focus on the new operating system, including instrumentation and displays. New assistance systems and increasingly advanced connectivity are also closely scrutinized.
THE ID. Buzz and digital tests
Not only "physical" tests, however - many aspects are being verified with digital tests, sourcing from the large databases of tests conducted with the digital prototypes of the ID. Buzz.
For each new model, the body, drive system, chassis, electrical system and the complete vehicle are recreated on the computer and their functions are simulated, even in combination with each other. In total, the virtual prototypes of the ID. Buzz have covered several million kilometers digitally.
Source: Volkswagen - Shaping Mobility Hub
VGI | Responsible OU: VP | Creation date: article date | Class 9.1