#my first sofa was 369€

[smute]

not to be old and stinky on main but ok. so. im going through my personal paperwork and i came across a bunch of old receipts. is2g 10 years ago was a different world 👵🏻 like cheesus in 2012 i paid 120€ for a 32 gb memory card but a pizza was 5,99€ 🥴

[babygirl-diaz]

Samtember 23: Cake Cake Cake

369 words | Rated G | for @samtember2022

It was quiet, and the lights were dim when Sam entered the house. That was somewhat unusual since Steve never went to bed without Sam and always waited for him to get home. It was especially unusual today since it was Sam’s birthday and Steve was always the first one to wish him. He wondered if Steve was maybe ill or worse, in some kind of trouble. Sam’s hand tightened around his shield and he went further into the living room, but as he did, Sam noticed a trail of rose petals and candles leading towards the bedroom. Sam couldn’t help but smile and he put the shield down near the sofa before following the trail. His eyes widened when he got to the bedroom. 

“Steve, what the-” He blinked as he watched his husband. 

Steve was laying back on the bed, fully naked, with a stemmed rose between his teeth. He had a large amount of whipped cream covering his nipples and his genitals, with a cherry on top. If that wasn’t enough already, he also had a bow tied around his waist. 

Steve looked over at Sam and removed the rose from his mouth before smirking at him. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. Your birthday cake is ready.” 

Sam couldn’t help but chuckle as he made his way over to his dweeb of a husband. He had to admit; the man looked sexy as hell. Sam got into the bed and took the rose from Steve and kissed him. “Thanks, baby, I love my cake. I bet it’s tasty,” he said, leaning in to lick some of the cream off Steve’s nipple. He took the cherry in his mouth and ate it before kissing Steve. “Just as good as I thought it would be,” he said. “Where did you even get this idea?” He asked. 

“From a movie,” Steve replied with a shrug. “Worked for him, so I figured it might work for me, too.” 

“Oh, it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does,” Sam replied. “Trust me, I am baffled myself.” 

Steve wrapped an arm around Sam and pulled him close. “Happy birthday once again, sweetheart.” 

Sam kissed him again and pressed their foreheads together. “I love you, baby.” 

[thejemersoninferno]

The Wanted.

Title: The Wanted.

Pairing: An Avenger x mutant reader.

Warnings: A little bit of swearing, violence.

-

"WANTED WOMAN AROUND 22-30 AGE, TALL, LONG DARK HAIR, GREY EYES AND A LIZARD TATTOO ON HER LEFT ARM, IF SEEN CALL 000-369-452" Once again there was on the news, the city was looking for this woman, a woman who had apparently killed a few people, robbed a few homes and exploded the New York City fire station. The whole town was in crisis, the police couldn't find this woman and seem like nobody has ever seen someone with the description, nobody but... me. 

This morning I woke up with a headache, my left arm hurting and blood on my clothes, I can't remember from where it came from or why I have blood over me, I can't even remember how I arrived home, the last thing I remember was getting ready for my dinner after a long ass day at work, I prepared some mashed potatoes with beans and salmon, and now there is only the salmon on my plate. Looking at the launch I see everything in its place, everything as tide as I left, but there are no clues on why I have blood over me and my left arm hurting. A ring calls my attention, someone is calling, must be my boss, I'm running late to work today. My co-worker asked me if I've seen the news, she is truly desperate to know who's the woman, who's the person behind all these horrible crimes and want her locked down, my boss agrees, and so do I. I see people watching each other's faces, men's looking every woman deep in the eyes and some horror faces when they spot someone with grey eyes. Picking up my food for this week I make my way back to home, it's been a long day and I need a long shower and think, I need to remember. I need to remember what happened last night and how it happened. I need to know what I did. After my shower, I prepare quickly my dinner, sausages, eggs, beans and chips and water. Sitting on the couch and turning the tv on, my food goes quickly to my mouth, the movie I found is an old treasure, Pride and Prejudice. The movie was over and I started looking for something else to watch and then, there it is again the news, they looking for this woman, the city is scared and the authorities claim for calmness. And then the memories from last night hit me, the blood, the screams, their begs but I didn't stop, I couldn't stop.

"If you are a good girl and do as told, you can have a treat tonight", said Father. Looking straight to my objective, trying to hold back the tears and holding my breath, I trigger the gun. There remains the silence, but I could hear the air leaving my lungs, my blood running through my veins, the tears streaming down my face, and my brain collapsing. I couldn't cope this anymore, I wonder how or why this happens. "Good girl, Dedee. Nobody will ever betray us again" my father pressed his hands on my cheeks, smiling "What would you like to do tonight?" he said holding my hand and giving the gun to the man next to him "Clean this mess and make sure everyone knows who's the boss here". I've got a bath and changed my clothes to some pyjamas, dad and I going to have a movie night, he said he doesn't have to work tonight, he wouldn't leave until next Monday so we could have time to play, create... and learn. Learning is very important at my age, that's what my father says, he said I need to prepare myself for our future, for our job and for making the world better but I don't know what he means with making the world better, it is the world better if I kill all these people? Are these people bad? "why is my little girl so quiet? are you sad?" dad moves closer to me and holds my hands, gives me a kiss on my cheek and holds me in a hug "Dedee, I know you are scared but this is for us, for our family, for you, and for me, I will never let someone hurt you, and that man he wanted to take you away from me, I will never let someone take you away from me, you are my girl and I will always be here with you" a sad look on his face makes me feel bad, papá only wants to protect me and I always cry when he asks me to do the best for us. "I know Papa, I'm sorry". "I know, Dedee. C'mon lets eat this popcorn".

The loud noise from the street brings me back to my feet, looking around the room I see myself in the mirror in front of me, and I can barely recognize the person on it but I do remember the first time I saw her. I was fifteen years old, Father and I went to our home far from NYC, we had to get an aeroplane, the weather was so cold and people talked in a different language than in NYC, Russian, they speak in Russian, like me. The girls spoke Russian, English, Italian, French, but not Spanish, Chinese and Greek like I did.  Father is talking with his colleagues from work in his office. Both of our guards are waiting outside the door while I sit on the little couch, a woman walks quietly and a group of 10 girls follow her. They are quiet. Walking in a straight line. Their steps are synchronized. Hands on their sides. Long hair in a perfect braid. Black clothes. And a red lace on their left hand. A loud noise inside Father's office distracting me. That night I saw her for the first time. I felt her. The girl who does everything Father said. The girl that doesn't feel anything. The girl that controls everything. The girl Father wanted. The girl who changed the future. That girl. That girl. The sound of the tv calls my attention quickly I reach the sofa and watch what's on it. A loud laugh scapes of my mouth, but my head screams in horror. It is happening. "Shut up, you never felt this good before", opening the freezer and grabbing a soda walks back to the sofa. Drinking slowly and watching the tv, smirking when the blood appears on the screen and laughing when the people ask for help. "They really think they can stop me?" the laughter giving chills inside my head. I can't do this, not anymore. "Don't be stupid, you love this as much as I do, this is the best feeling ever and you know it" moving her hands slowly quitting importance. "Why are you doing this? Please, stop". "You don't want me to stop and you know it" smirks. "YES I DO! I WANT YOU TO STOP! NOW!" I yell holding back the tears. "Then why are we talking to each other again?" spits with aggressivity, standing quickly and walks across the room "I'm doing this for us, for you, for me, don't you see? THEY WANT US DEAD" her moves are quick and angry, the vein on her temple showing, her jaw clenched, the grey eyes losing their light and a dark light starts reaching every single bit of the eyeS "If you only understand, if you ONLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING I DO FOR YOU, FOR US! STOP YOUR BULLSHIT! GROW THE FUCK UP, THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE FOR" angrily moves towards the bedroom making the floor squeak on her steps, the door bangs and the walls tremble following the sound of the wind. At this point I can't control the tears in my eyes, I want this to stop, I want the world to stop, I want my brain to stop, my moves, my breath, I just want everything to stop. I'm just staring at the window seems like everything I used to know it was crumbling, I can't cope inside my mind and releasing I couldn't let it go, I wonder how this had happened. The loud noise of the cars outside makes me turn around, looking at my room and connecting her eyes again. The dark angry grey eyes screaming to be released. I see the blood in her eyes. To be free. "That's why you have a mirror on your wall, to talk with each other again"

-

So here is it, my brand new creation. It’s going to have at least another part to introduce the avengers and much more. It’s a short one but I’m rushing to go to work so please don’t mind me. Hope you like it. Have a nice day everyone x

[dctuk]

9 feel good movies to get you through isolation

On the hunt for  a feel-good, upbeat and heart warming film? Well you are certainly not alone and there is no better time to power through your never ending ‘films to watch’ list than a global pandemic. What else are you going to do with all this time on your hands?Here is our guide to the best movies guaranteed to leave you with the warm fuzzy feeling that we’ve all been craving since the local pub closed their doors.

Feel Good Family Films

Nothing can beat snuggling up on the sofa with the entire fam and a giant bowl of Butterkist toffee popcorn, until the dreaded time comes to select a film. Deciding on a film to please all ages can be, lets’ say, rather challenging. Dad doesn’t like romcoms, mum doesn’t like loud noises and little Susie just wants to watch Frozen for the 100th time. So, we’ve narrowed it down to a select few that we guarantee you will all enjoy. Yes, even you at the back dad.

1. Up

I must confess, it does start with complete emotional devastation and heart-break for Carl. But it can only go up from there right? This 2009 masterpiece follows the journey of Carl, a grumpy balloon salesman in his late 70’s alongside a super-jolly and over-enthusiastic Boy Scout named Russell. Up is a film about growing old, learning to love and inspires you to live everyday as if it was your last. It will leave you crying of laughter as well as tears of sadness. Basically it will leave you an emotional mess, but it’ll be worth it. Trust.

Where to watch it: Disney+

2. Wall-e

Who knew robots could be so loveable. Set in a distant, but not so unrealistic future where mankind has abandoned planet Earth to live in space. Join Wall-e, a garbage collecting robot left behind to clean up the mess, as he navigates through the junk and discovers a new sleek (and slightly dangerous) friend.

Where to watch it: Disney+

3. Shrek 1, 2 ,3 AND Forever After

If Shrek can’t cheer you up then I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I don’t think anything will. Shrek is the ultimate feel-good movie-marathon. It has the added bonus of FOUR films (although personally, I am not sure if Shrek Forever After really counts), that is a total of 369 minutes running time!

Where to watch it: Netflix

Feel Good Drama Movies

Now we all love a bit of drama and since we are unable to get our daily doses of drama from the outside world, we will have to look elsewhere. Despite the dramatic scenes and a few possible tears, there is no doubt in my mind that these three movies will leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle the real world (whenever that may be)

.4. Lion

This 2016 heart-wrenching and inspiring film is based on the real-life events of Saroo Brierley. This film tells the story of how Saroo, a happy 5 year old Indian boy, is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. Follow his journey 25 years later as he sets out to find his long lost family with no knowledge of where he previously called home. P.s It features Dev Patel. Do I need to go on?

Where to watch it: Netflix

5. Little Miss Sunshine

This 2006 comedy-drama explores all elements of a broken and unhappy family as they embark on a life changing road trip so it’s youngest member can enter a beauty pageant. Together, all family members must overcome destroyed dreams, heartbreaks and most importantly, they must learn to support one another. Life lessons are learned and deepest secrets are shared in a lovely film about the reality of how challenging and broken families really can be.

Where to watch it: Hulu

6. Pursuit of Happyness

A true story, a tear jerker and a feel good film all rolled into one. The Pursuit of Happyness is a moving tale inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner and his 5 year old son Christopher. Gardner finds himself struggling to build a future for him and his son due to a failed business venture and the breakdown of his relationship. Despite being evicted and left to raise his young son, Gardner does not let this dampen his spirits. Gardner eventually lands an unpaid internship where he strikes gold and his determination and hard work finally begins to pay off.

Where to watch it: Netflix

Chick Flicks

If you are lucky enough to be isolating with your BFF then crack open the gin, pop on your cosy PJ’s and get ready for an evening of endless gossip and giggles. If your BFF is isolating miles away, then get them up on Zoom duh. Even social distancing cannot stand in the way of a true girly night.

7. Bridget Jones's Diary

I mean,it would be criminal not to mention the one and only queen of chick flicks. Bridget Jones is truly one of us girls. She is struggling with her age, her weight, her job, her lack of man and her many imperfections. Aren't we all? However, Bridget decides it is time to take control of her life by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the truth. But then, along comes Mr Darcy and Daniel Cleaver. You know when you spend your whole life waiting for a bus and then two come at once? Well this happened to Bridget, but only they weren’t buses, they were men.

Where to watch it: Now TV

8. 50 First Dates

There are some first dates we wish we could relive 50 times and there are some we definitely wish we never even had to endure in the first place. Follow Henry, the ultimate womanizer, who decides that the time has come to be a one woman man. However, just his luck, Lucy (the lucky lady) has anterograde amnesia. Therefore, Henry is challenged with the task of having to win her over again and again each new day. Good Luck my friend.

Where to watch it: Netflix

9. About Time

The ultimate heart warmer. At the age of 21, Tim Lake discovers he can travel in time, later to find out all the men in his family have such ability. Although he can’t change history, Tim decides to make his world a better place and there's no better place to start than … a girlfriend. Believe it or not, it doesn’t turn out to be as easy as you might think. Eventually Ms right comes along but an unfortunate time-travel incident means he’s never met her at all. Tim must now meet her again and again until he can finally win her heart. Sort of similar to 50 first dates now we mention it.

Where to watch it: Now TV

Now, pop your feet up, grab those £2 Easter Eggs that you got in the sale in Asda (definitely an essential item), relax and enjoy the film.

[lauraallafics]

95/100: Monster hunt

Sentence included: Good luck

Summary: There's a monster in the living room

Words: 369

Warnings: None?

A/N: It’s not beta’d and English is not my first language, so there might be mistakes.

“Phil!”

The scream was heard all around the house. It was normal for Dan to shout a lot in their day to day, so Phil shouldn’t be scared from it. But the tone in which he had shouted, with pure horror, was enough to make Phil ran up the stairs and into the lounge.

He saw Dan in a corner, with a cushion in front of him and looking at some point over the wall in front of him. Phil was walking to Dan, but then he saw what he was looking at, he understood the issue in that exact moment.

There was a giant spider on the wall, crawling up to the ceiling. The it fell to the floor and Dan screamed again, jumping to the sofa.

He ran again downstairs, to the kitchen, and took a vase, then went back to the lounge, where he saw how much the spider had advanced. When Dan saw him, he relaxed a bit, only to shout again when the spider moved.

“Don’t worry, Dan, I’ll get it out.” Phil’s voice gave Dan a bit of security.

“Good luck,” said Dan, trembling from his position in the sofa.

Phil walked slowly to the middle of the room, the vase upside down in his hand, prepared to place it over the spider when the moment came. He didn’t need two attempts, as he caught it in the first try. Dan jumped in happiness from his place.

“Dan,  quickly, pass me a piece of paper!” Phil shouted, wanting to take the spider outside as soon as possible. Dan did it as soon as he could, running back to his safety position once Phil got the paper.

He watched how the older was throwing the animal out of the window with a feeling of calm surrounding him. Once it was out of sight, Dan jumped into Phil’s arms, kissing him on the lips.

“Thank you for saving me from that horrible beast!” Dan screamed in joy.

“It was just an spider, I don’t even think it was one of those that bite.”

“It was a horrible monster and nothing is going to make me change my opinion.” Phil laughed and hugged Dan.

“Okay, whatever.”

[nickbutterrun]

Day 369 - Bahrain 🇧🇭 Manama, Marathon 102 — Thought of the day — Today’s reminder - we have one life. Never wait for tomorrow to live your dreams; always give everything you have, be vulnerable, be afraid, and stay out of your comfort zone. Life is short and we never get that buzz for life from sitting on the sofa! Every day at least 30 men die from prostate cancer. That’s nearly 12,000 a year! Help me stop men dying by making a small donation. Link in bio. — My first run in heat for 9 weeks, some of the most friendly people in the world, a culture that I really enjoy being around, plus the most tidy paved roads I’ve seen. — It’s very strange how 25 degrees was cold back in April last year. Having spent so long time in Africa and running in 40+ I had truly acclimatised. Never really experienced true acclimation before; needless to say it’s different now. Half the temperature and I was sweating a lot from mile 2. — Bahrain is beautiful and the city is still on the rise... developments everywhere; it’s obvious that money is a key ingredient. — I ran all over the place today and drank over 4 litres of water. The building are beautiful. I also forgot sun cream and therefore I’m now a little burnt. The great news of today though is that my foot wasn’t agony to the point of needing extra strong painkillers. Fingers crossed body will work it’s magic. Oh and my hair is now too long and annoying me. Man bun o’clock. — It’s now late and I’m scoffing down a mushroom risotto overlooking the high rise landscape. I’m in my bath rope, washed and ready for a new day. Bags packed and after several hours of admin bits it’s been a great day. Time to reflect on the past few days, appreciate and be grateful. I feel I’m getting back in the swing of things. You never know what’s going to be around the corner though. Dubai tomorrow. — Thanks for the support folks. Keep it up. Donate by text please. Text NRTW89 £5 to 70070 to support the cause. — #runningtheworld196 #runtheworld #marathonman #guy #run #marathon #prostatcanceruk #redbull #nickbutter #bahrain #world #middleeast #photography #traveller #travellers #travellerlife #hot #runnerguy #runner #runners #hotguy #fit (at Manama, Bahrain) https://www.instagram.com/p/BscpdJVHCKd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a148ud4tqj2n

[bestfriendforhire]

Entry 369

 Just a week after Jarod's birthday, his parents’ house was fully renovated, so their move was planned for the following week.  Knowing in advance, Aaliyah had scheduled an opt-in work day for those willing to help.  Mr. and Mrs. Davis were a bit bewildered when most of my crew arrived, despite Jarod’s warning.

 “Have you toured the new house yet?” inquired Mai.

 “A little.  We kept meaning to look around more, but things just haven’t worked out.” replied Mrs. Davis.

 “Becky, you simply must see it before we haul everything inside.” insisted Ai.  “James, you’ll supervise the rest, won’t you?”

 I nodded and said, “Sure thing.  Let Jarod explain all of the new bells and whistles while we tidy things up here.”

 “I feel like we’re imposing on all of you enough already.” stated Mr. Davis as he worriedly brushed his hand through his hair and looked around.

 “No imposition at all.” I assured him.  “Everyone here volunteered, so just be grateful that your son has so many friends.”

 “One of us really should stay to get all of the boxes labeled.” suggested Becky.

 “I’ll label them!” exclaimed Aaliyah with a grin.  “I’m an expert labeler, I promise!”

 “You’re so sweet.” replied Becky as she bent down to pat Aaliyah’s head.

 “She actually is.  You’d be amazed how much I’ve learned from her in the past year.  Her gaming company alone is worth a fortune, and she constantly puts out patents for crazy inventions.” explained Jarod.

 “Plus, she makes money from the Intergalactic House of Awesome Sauce due to some design work she did for them.  Really, there’s no need to worry about us.  I do know this house fairly well, after all.” I told them.

 “Well, your group does seem really organized.  I supposed we can be the first off.  Here’s a key to lock up.” replied Mr. Davis as he handed me the key.

 “Awesome.  You’re going to love this!” exclaimed Jarod with a big grin.

 Ai and Mai followed him to the Mustang, and he waited for his parents to get on the road before heading off.  I smiled and waved, waiting until they rounded the corner to unleash the spell I prepared, shrouding the house and yard in an illusion.  Then I signaled my friends to pick up the pace.  I couldn’t let Aaliyah spend the whole morning of her birthday working, even though she was probably goofing off on a billion other worlds at the same time.

 True to her word, Aaliyah handled the sorting and labeling, telling me what to pack as she labeled where each box should end up.  In under ten minutes, everything was packed, and we were on our way.

 “You forgot to lock the door.” stated Aaliyah as she shook the key at me.

 I rolled my eyes, dispelled the illusion, and used another spell to twist the locks from the inside.  “Better?”

 She nodded and said, “Yep!  Onward!”

 When we arrived, Mr. and Mrs. Davis weren’t even done with Jarod’s tour yet, so they were more than a little surprised to see us hauling things into the various rooms.

 “How…” started Mr. Davis.

 “To make money in my business, we have to be quick and efficient with the simple jobs.” I replied with a wink.

 “James has become a bit of a show off.” teased Jarod.

 “A bit?” questioned Ai.

 “Understatement of the year!” exclaimed Mai, after shaking her head.

 “Well, don’t I feel loved.  Offer a little help and get picked on.” I complained.

 “Oh, we appreciate you.” insisted Mr. Davis as he gawked at Raine and Emma moving their sofa.

 “They work out!” exclaimed Aaliyah, who was standing by the door to give each person directions.

 “How do you know the floorplan so well?” he questioned.

 “Schematics!”

 “I owe her the biggest birthday cake this year.” I stated with a smile.

 “Oh!  Is it your birthday?” asked Mrs. Davis.  When Aaliyah nodded, she then inquired “How old are you?”

 “Thirteen!” exclaimed Aaliyah.

 “Uh…” started Mr. Davis.

 “No, really.  She’s a teenager.” I assured him as he continued to stare at the under-three-foot-tall girl.

 “Let’s get back on track with the tour!  I still haven’t shown you the security system.” stated Jarod as he motioned everyone to follow.

 Explaining the benefits of Mila’s integration with their home was a big selling point to Jarod’s speech as he told them about the security.  He then told them about Mila’s abilities as an assistant allowing her to operate anything connected to the network for them.  Ai and Mai were surprisingly helpful, stopping him whenever he went too far on the technical side in his explanations.

 “All finished, boss!” exclaimed Brandon with a grin after he found us in the home theater.

 “Excellent.  Mila should be bringing my car around, so you all can get on with your day.” I told him.

 “That was really quick.” stated Mrs. Davis.

 “They set some stuff up for you too!” exclaimed Aaliyah.

 “I swear they work twice as fast when I’m not looking, which is a bit vexing.  Shouldn’t I get to yell at them for slacking?” I mock complained.

 Laughing, Mr. Davis said, “You have a great crew, James.  Jarod’s told me before that I could call when I’m shorthanded, but…”  He shrugged.  “I might just do that sometime.”

 “I can assure you that Jarod hasn’t lost his touch as a mechanic.” I replied with a grin.

 He laughed again.  “Yeah, that’s for sure.  He tells me a little here and there.”

 I shook his hand as well as Mrs. Davis’ as I told them “I best be off as well to get this little one her cake.  Her father will be expecting us soon.”

 “Thanks again for all of the help, James!  We miss having you stop by the house.” stated Mrs. Davis.

 “You’re always free to visit us as well, you know.  My parents come over fairly regularly, so you could always ride together now that you’re neighbors.  They won’t mind.” I replied.

 Mr. Davis nodded and said, “I’m sure we’ll be spending more time with your parents.  They’re supposed to stop by tomorrow.  Said they wanted to give us a little something as a welcome to the neighborhood.”

 I smiled and nodded before saying farewell and leaving with Aaliyah.  After a stop at the Intergalactic House of Awesome Sauce to view the birthday cake, I went and helped set up for the party.  Aaliyah decorated the artificial womb, claiming her daughter needed to look festive too.

 The party went roughly the same as the previous year with the Intergalactic House of Awesome Sauce catering and more guests of high society than friends invited.  Most of my household made an appearance throughout it, and some stayed till the end.  By the end, I felt the day had gone well.

[jonathanbelloblog]

First Drive: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept

Three days after Volkswagen officially decided its all-electric I.D. Buzz will become a reality, we roamed San Francisco’s streets in a concept version of the car along with a classic 1952 VW Microbus. It was, succinctly, an emotional demonstration of how electric propulsion, autonomous driving, and digitalization will redefine the mission of the automobile in the next 10 to 15 years.

My first school bus was a 30-horsepower ’57 Volkswagen Type 2 (aka the Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, Bus, and “the hippie van”) trimmed with a mix of utilitarian rubber and leatherette. I sat up front, right foot resting on the gray tin blister that protected the headlamp assembly from the inside. There was no radio, no worthwhile heater, and no seat adjustment. But you could play with the five-stop sliding side window until one of the adults on board mercifully intervened. The brassy, catch-the-latch noise remains forever seared into my memory.

Powered by an e-Golf powertrain, the I.D. Buzz Concept managed 53 miles before hitting the halfway point of its charge during our day driving around San Francisco.

The Buzz concept resurrects these recollections and then some. The time-warp 3D transformation from that meager post-war appliance is reborn most of all in the car’s characteristic proportions and trademark silhouette and in details such as the two-tone paint scheme and three horizontal air intakes in the D-pillars. The new shape is easily recognizable as the long-lost family member who has grown and matured over time. Both models are rear drive (all-wheel drive will be optional on the production Buzz), both sit on a remarkably generous wheelbase, and both are spacious and surprisingly easy to get into and out of. From behind the older version’s wheel, the new Volkswagen looks positively huge. That’s what a 26-inch difference in length and a 10-inch increase in width will do to your perception.

“We built this model to be fully operational. So simply go for it. A single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.”

Due to arrive in 2022, the I.D. Buzz is slated to be the last of VW’s first batch of production I.D. models. Wolfsburg’s e-attack begins in early 2020 with the Golf-size I.D. and the Tiguan-size I.D. Crozz. In 2021, we expect to see the boxy Touareg-size I.D. SUV and the full-size, seven-seat I.D. Lounge—a crossover coupe with the cabin space of a minivan. The 2022 forecast includes not only the Buzz but also the larger version of the I.D. Aero sedan followed in 2023 by a smaller five-seat derivative. Emotionally derived products such as possible new versions of the Beetle and Scirocco are under consideration, but rather than replacing existing body styles with more of the same, don’t be surprised if next-gen offerings employ the heritage-meets-future approach with a dual-cab pickup truck or a modern reinterpretation of the Karmann Ghia or similar.

Family Resemblance: Though there’s a clear design lineage between the Type 2 and the Buzz, the resemblance is only skin deep.

This I.D. Buzz concept is a runner in the purest sense of the word. It can maintain a steady 50 mph across the Golden Gate Bridge and snake through corners like a slot-car racer. The grabby brakes get on surprisingly well with the home-cooked light gray tires, the turning circle is tight, thanks to the absence of a bulky combustion engine, and the single-speed transmission operated via steering-wheel buttons hooks up with instant-torque vigor. “We built this model to be fully operational,” says Dzemal Sjenar, senior engineer for VW concept cars. “So simply go for it. Don’t worry too much about wear and tear. And rest assured that a single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.” This is exactly what we did, pairing the yellow-over-white ambassador of a cleaner tomorrow with the orange-over-cream museum piece, a digital hippie leading its analog ancestor. The original Type 2 (fun fact: the VW Beetle is the Type 1) and its rough, air-cooled engine was kind of a Porsche 356 A with seven seats. It was gutless and notoriously short of breath, and you needed to rev the lungs out of its coughing flat-four in order to build anything resembling momentum.

Dynamically speaking, driving the first-generation 1952 Microbus is a lesson in patience. Its huge, nearly horizontal two-spoke steering wheel turns the front wheels with the precision and ease of a vintage Armenian truck, the spindly gear lever rides the four-speed transmission like a one-legged amateur stilt walker, the heavy clutch must travel a long distance before polishing off 49 lb-ft of torque in one easy lick, the four drum brakes might lock up briefly or pull to either side before getting down to work, and the skinny vintage tires like to let go without warning. The floor-mounted pedals are charmingly Porsche-like, but the throttle response is not. This might have to do with the 3,500-rpm redline and the fact that at last count we could not round up more than 25 horses. It takes just short of forever to reach its top speed of around 53 mph when the bus is traveling on a flat stretch of road.

The I.D. Buzz is altogether different. In top-of-the-line guise, a 150-kW rear motor and a 125-kW motor driving the front wheels for a total of roughly 369 horsepower are allegedly enough to accelerate the bus from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The lesser version combines all-wheel drive with a pair of powerplants rated at a more modest 302 horsepower. The entry-level I.D. Buzz will relay 201 hp exclusively to the rear wheels. The three different power packs are paired with three different battery sizes good for 60, 83, and 111 kWh. Regardless of output, top speeds will be electronically limited to 100 mph. (Volkswagen estimates between 200 and 270 miles of range for the concept Buzz.) The maximum charging power is 220 kW, maximum voltage is 400V, and minimum charge time should be around 20 minutes for an 80 percent state of charge.

The Buzz concept has some features that aren’t likely to make it to production, such as the side-mirror cameras, and some touches that may, like the “Play/Pause” foot pedal designs and the dial-based drive selector.

Like all future electric VWs, the Buzz sits on the brand’s modular electric architecture (MEB). At its heart is a rigid battery cradle located inside a honeycomb frame designed to optimize side-impact protection. Accessible from below for repair and replacement, it accommodates between three and five energy packs positioned to ensure a fixed weight distribution of 48/52 percent front/rear. The MEB layout provides a low center of gravity as well as exceptional space utilization. The front axle relies on MacPherson struts while the rear suspension is a multilink setup. The concept car uses conventional springs and dampers, but by 2022 you will also be able to specify a fully adjustable air suspension. Mounted ahead of the front axle is the variable-rate, variable-effort electrically assisted power steering. Rear-wheel steering will be an option, sources say. The brakes are capable of passive and driver-induced energy regeneration. Although definitive dimensions are not finalized, we hear the show car, which is 194.5 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 77.3 inches high with a 129.9-inch wheelbase, is physically quite close to the real thing.

Featuring fully adjustable swiveling seats up front and a sofa-like rear bench, the Buzz concept is designed to accommodate up to eight passengers in style and comfort, though the middle seats were removed for our drive. Like in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the rear side windows can dim for a cocooning effect. Although the concept car comes with a retractable steering wheel as well as an array of sensors and cameras to demonstrate that autonomous driving is very much on the agenda, the timing for these technologies is still unclear. Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess answers with a wink: “At this point, it would be cheaper to hire a human being in a low labor-cost country to monitor the car 24/7. Should a dangerous situation arise, that person would take corrective action over the air.”

At Monterey, restored buses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000.

In San Francisco, though legendary rock music venues such as the Fillmore West and the Avalon Ballroom are no more, certain parts of the city still move to the music of the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Doors. The Haight-Ashbury area in particular remains a sanctuary for flower-power children of all ages, some of whom attended the legendary Altamont and Woodstock festivals, went to see Janis Joplin sing and Ravi Shankar play the sitar, were disciples of Timothy Leary, read and listened to Leonard Cohen, and digged on Zen, dharma, karma, and any other kind of counterculture. Before 1966, LSD was legal in California, and to this day you probably don’t have to search too long for vendors peddling tickets to the Promised Land.

We stop our caravan, and two street urchins quickly stagger over, mumbling “hey, man,” and “what the heck?” through broad smiles revealing incomplete sets of teeth. To celebrate the apparition, they light a thinly rolled brown joint. Like the rest of the quickly gathering crowd, our new friends are torn between old and new. Although the Microbus brings back memories of love, peace, and amphetamine-fueled frenzy followed by going cold turkey, the I.D. Buzz is identified immediately as e-powered by the San Francisco residents who adore Teslas and the Prius. Whoever owns a Volkswagen bus, irrespective of vintage or condition, grinds to a stop, hops out, takes a zillion pictures, then asks the inevitable questions: Are these for sale? How much? When can I buy one? Does it drive OK?

The I.D. Buzz offers ample space inside, having grown by 26 inches in length and 10 inches in width over the original Type 2 Microbus.

The Buzz is much too quick for its arthritic sibling, and it cracks open the door to a new level of near-silent lounge-like roominess. The interior is light and airy, the ergonomics are pleasingly minimalist, and the seating position defines “command.” Strangely enough, the ancient spring-loaded seats of the Microbus cope better with the area’s more suspect roads than the contemporary foam buckets do. And the old-fashioned lever-operated parking brake provides more positive feedback than the new, whirring push-button stopper. But the ride comfort is more than nine clouds better in the 2017 show car, its handling eclipses the top-heavy 21-window bus by a world and a half, and the difference in cornering grip compares like speed carving does to stem turns. Everything in the I.D. Buzz works as if by magic touch. The doors open and close automatically, the camera-operated side mirrors and the reverse camera create a new quality of surround-view, and the electronic brain displays its findings on an extra-large screen between the seats.

When we kicked off the day at Twin Peaks in drizzle and fog, the batteries were 90 percent charged. Almost 14 hours and 53 miles later, the readout had just dipped below the halfway mark—not bad for a provisional preprototype equipped with an e-Golf’s humble drivetrain.

At the Monterey auctions held in mid-August, fully restored Microbuses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000 in today’s money. That’s way too much for some of the remaining hippies, but perhaps it’s a tempting proposal for middle-class families, especially if VW can deliver on brand values like solidity, longevity, and affordability with—hopefully—newfound strengths such as coolness, cleverness, and modernity.

IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

First Drive: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept

Three days after Volkswagen officially decided its all-electric I.D. Buzz will become a reality, we roamed San Francisco’s streets in a concept version of the car along with a classic 1952 VW Microbus. It was, succinctly, an emotional demonstration of how electric propulsion, autonomous driving, and digitalization will redefine the mission of the automobile in the next 10 to 15 years.

My first school bus was a 30-horsepower ’57 Volkswagen Type 2 (aka the Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, Bus, and “the hippie van”) trimmed with a mix of utilitarian rubber and leatherette. I sat up front, right foot resting on the gray tin blister that protected the headlamp assembly from the inside. There was no radio, no worthwhile heater, and no seat adjustment. But you could play with the five-stop sliding side window until one of the adults on board mercifully intervened. The brassy, catch-the-latch noise remains forever seared into my memory.

Powered by an e-Golf powertrain, the I.D. Buzz Concept managed 53 miles before hitting the halfway point of its charge during our day driving around San Francisco.

The Buzz concept resurrects these recollections and then some. The time-warp 3D transformation from that meager post-war appliance is reborn most of all in the car’s characteristic proportions and trademark silhouette and in details such as the two-tone paint scheme and three horizontal air intakes in the D-pillars. The new shape is easily recognizable as the long-lost family member who has grown and matured over time. Both models are rear drive (all-wheel drive will be optional on the production Buzz), both sit on a remarkably generous wheelbase, and both are spacious and surprisingly easy to get into and out of. From behind the older version’s wheel, the new Volkswagen looks positively huge. That’s what a 26-inch difference in length and a 10-inch increase in width will do to your perception.

“We built this model to be fully operational. So simply go for it. A single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.”

Due to arrive in 2022, the I.D. Buzz is slated to be the last of VW’s first batch of production I.D. models. Wolfsburg’s e-attack begins in early 2020 with the Golf-size I.D. and the Tiguan-size I.D. Crozz. In 2021, we expect to see the boxy Touareg-size I.D. SUV and the full-size, seven-seat I.D. Lounge—a crossover coupe with the cabin space of a minivan. The 2022 forecast includes not only the Buzz but also the larger version of the I.D. Aero sedan followed in 2023 by a smaller five-seat derivative. Emotionally derived products such as possible new versions of the Beetle and Scirocco are under consideration, but rather than replacing existing body styles with more of the same, don’t be surprised if next-gen offerings employ the heritage-meets-future approach with a dual-cab pickup truck or a modern reinterpretation of the Karmann Ghia or similar.

Family Resemblance: Though there’s a clear design lineage between the Type 2 and the Buzz, the resemblance is only skin deep.

This I.D. Buzz concept is a runner in the purest sense of the word. It can maintain a steady 50 mph across the Golden Gate Bridge and snake through corners like a slot-car racer. The grabby brakes get on surprisingly well with the home-cooked light gray tires, the turning circle is tight, thanks to the absence of a bulky combustion engine, and the single-speed transmission operated via steering-wheel buttons hooks up with instant-torque vigor. “We built this model to be fully operational,” says Dzemal Sjenar, senior engineer for VW concept cars. “So simply go for it. Don’t worry too much about wear and tear. And rest assured that a single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.” This is exactly what we did, pairing the yellow-over-white ambassador of a cleaner tomorrow with the orange-over-cream museum piece, a digital hippie leading its analog ancestor. The original Type 2 (fun fact: the VW Beetle is the Type 1) and its rough, air-cooled engine was kind of a Porsche 356 A with seven seats. It was gutless and notoriously short of breath, and you needed to rev the lungs out of its coughing flat-four in order to build anything resembling momentum.

Dynamically speaking, driving the first-generation 1952 Microbus is a lesson in patience. Its huge, nearly horizontal two-spoke steering wheel turns the front wheels with the precision and ease of a vintage Armenian truck, the spindly gear lever rides the four-speed transmission like a one-legged amateur stilt walker, the heavy clutch must travel a long distance before polishing off 49 lb-ft of torque in one easy lick, the four drum brakes might lock up briefly or pull to either side before getting down to work, and the skinny vintage tires like to let go without warning. The floor-mounted pedals are charmingly Porsche-like, but the throttle response is not. This might have to do with the 3,500-rpm redline and the fact that at last count we could not round up more than 25 horses. It takes just short of forever to reach its top speed of around 53 mph when the bus is traveling on a flat stretch of road.

The I.D. Buzz is altogether different. In top-of-the-line guise, a 150-kW rear motor and a 125-kW motor driving the front wheels for a total of roughly 369 horsepower are allegedly enough to accelerate the bus from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The lesser version combines all-wheel drive with a pair of powerplants rated at a more modest 302 horsepower. The entry-level I.D. Buzz will relay 201 hp exclusively to the rear wheels. The three different power packs are paired with three different battery sizes good for 60, 83, and 111 kWh. Regardless of output, top speeds will be electronically limited to 100 mph. (Volkswagen estimates between 200 and 270 miles of range for the concept Buzz.) The maximum charging power is 220 kW, maximum voltage is 400V, and minimum charge time should be around 20 minutes for an 80 percent state of charge.

The Buzz concept has some features that aren’t likely to make it to production, such as the side-mirror cameras, and some touches that may, like the “Play/Pause” foot pedal designs and the dial-based drive selector.

Like all future electric VWs, the Buzz sits on the brand’s modular electric architecture (MEB). At its heart is a rigid battery cradle located inside a honeycomb frame designed to optimize side-impact protection. Accessible from below for repair and replacement, it accommodates between three and five energy packs positioned to ensure a fixed weight distribution of 48/52 percent front/rear. The MEB layout provides a low center of gravity as well as exceptional space utilization. The front axle relies on MacPherson struts while the rear suspension is a multilink setup. The concept car uses conventional springs and dampers, but by 2022 you will also be able to specify a fully adjustable air suspension. Mounted ahead of the front axle is the variable-rate, variable-effort electrically assisted power steering. Rear-wheel steering will be an option, sources say. The brakes are capable of passive and driver-induced energy regeneration. Although definitive dimensions are not finalized, we hear the show car, which is 194.5 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 77.3 inches high with a 129.9-inch wheelbase, is physically quite close to the real thing.

Featuring fully adjustable swiveling seats up front and a sofa-like rear bench, the Buzz concept is designed to accommodate up to eight passengers in style and comfort, though the middle seats were removed for our drive. Like in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the rear side windows can dim for a cocooning effect. Although the concept car comes with a retractable steering wheel as well as an array of sensors and cameras to demonstrate that autonomous driving is very much on the agenda, the timing for these technologies is still unclear. Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess answers with a wink: “At this point, it would be cheaper to hire a human being in a low labor-cost country to monitor the car 24/7. Should a dangerous situation arise, that person would take corrective action over the air.”

At Monterey, restored buses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000.

In San Francisco, though legendary rock music venues such as the Fillmore West and the Avalon Ballroom are no more, certain parts of the city still move to the music of the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Doors. The Haight-Ashbury area in particular remains a sanctuary for flower-power children of all ages, some of whom attended the legendary Altamont and Woodstock festivals, went to see Janis Joplin sing and Ravi Shankar play the sitar, were disciples of Timothy Leary, read and listened to Leonard Cohen, and digged on Zen, dharma, karma, and any other kind of counterculture. Before 1966, LSD was legal in California, and to this day you probably don’t have to search too long for vendors peddling tickets to the Promised Land.

We stop our caravan, and two street urchins quickly stagger over, mumbling “hey, man,” and “what the heck?” through broad smiles revealing incomplete sets of teeth. To celebrate the apparition, they light a thinly rolled brown joint. Like the rest of the quickly gathering crowd, our new friends are torn between old and new. Although the Microbus brings back memories of love, peace, and amphetamine-fueled frenzy followed by going cold turkey, the I.D. Buzz is identified immediately as e-powered by the San Francisco residents who adore Teslas and the Prius. Whoever owns a Volkswagen bus, irrespective of vintage or condition, grinds to a stop, hops out, takes a zillion pictures, then asks the inevitable questions: Are these for sale? How much? When can I buy one? Does it drive OK?

The I.D. Buzz offers ample space inside, having grown by 26 inches in length and 10 inches in width over the original Type 2 Microbus.

The Buzz is much too quick for its arthritic sibling, and it cracks open the door to a new level of near-silent lounge-like roominess. The interior is light and airy, the ergonomics are pleasingly minimalist, and the seating position defines “command.” Strangely enough, the ancient spring-loaded seats of the Microbus cope better with the area’s more suspect roads than the contemporary foam buckets do. And the old-fashioned lever-operated parking brake provides more positive feedback than the new, whirring push-button stopper. But the ride comfort is more than nine clouds better in the 2017 show car, its handling eclipses the top-heavy 21-window bus by a world and a half, and the difference in cornering grip compares like speed carving does to stem turns. Everything in the I.D. Buzz works as if by magic touch. The doors open and close automatically, the camera-operated side mirrors and the reverse camera create a new quality of surround-view, and the electronic brain displays its findings on an extra-large screen between the seats.

When we kicked off the day at Twin Peaks in drizzle and fog, the batteries were 90 percent charged. Almost 14 hours and 53 miles later, the readout had just dipped below the halfway mark—not bad for a provisional preprototype equipped with an e-Golf’s humble drivetrain.

At the Monterey auctions held in mid-August, fully restored Microbuses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000 in today’s money. That’s way too much for some of the remaining hippies, but perhaps it’s a tempting proposal for middle-class families, especially if VW can deliver on brand values like solidity, longevity, and affordability with—hopefully—newfound strengths such as coolness, cleverness, and modernity.

IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

First Drive: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept

Three days after Volkswagen officially decided its all-electric I.D. Buzz will become a reality, we roamed San Francisco’s streets in a concept version of the car along with a classic 1952 VW Microbus. It was, succinctly, an emotional demonstration of how electric propulsion, autonomous driving, and digitalization will redefine the mission of the automobile in the next 10 to 15 years.

My first school bus was a 30-horsepower ’57 Volkswagen Type 2 (aka the Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, Bus, and “the hippie van”) trimmed with a mix of utilitarian rubber and leatherette. I sat up front, right foot resting on the gray tin blister that protected the headlamp assembly from the inside. There was no radio, no worthwhile heater, and no seat adjustment. But you could play with the five-stop sliding side window until one of the adults on board mercifully intervened. The brassy, catch-the-latch noise remains forever seared into my memory.

Powered by an e-Golf powertrain, the I.D. Buzz Concept managed 53 miles before hitting the halfway point of its charge during our day driving around San Francisco.

The Buzz concept resurrects these recollections and then some. The time-warp 3D transformation from that meager post-war appliance is reborn most of all in the car’s characteristic proportions and trademark silhouette and in details such as the two-tone paint scheme and three horizontal air intakes in the D-pillars. The new shape is easily recognizable as the long-lost family member who has grown and matured over time. Both models are rear drive (all-wheel drive will be optional on the production Buzz), both sit on a remarkably generous wheelbase, and both are spacious and surprisingly easy to get into and out of. From behind the older version’s wheel, the new Volkswagen looks positively huge. That’s what a 26-inch difference in length and a 10-inch increase in width will do to your perception.

“We built this model to be fully operational. So simply go for it. A single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.”

Due to arrive in 2022, the I.D. Buzz is slated to be the last of VW’s first batch of production I.D. models. Wolfsburg’s e-attack begins in early 2020 with the Golf-size I.D. and the Tiguan-size I.D. Crozz. In 2021, we expect to see the boxy Touareg-size I.D. SUV and the full-size, seven-seat I.D. Lounge—a crossover coupe with the cabin space of a minivan. The 2022 forecast includes not only the Buzz but also the larger version of the I.D. Aero sedan followed in 2023 by a smaller five-seat derivative. Emotionally derived products such as possible new versions of the Beetle and Scirocco are under consideration, but rather than replacing existing body styles with more of the same, don’t be surprised if next-gen offerings employ the heritage-meets-future approach with a dual-cab pickup truck or a modern reinterpretation of the Karmann Ghia or similar.

Family Resemblance: Though there’s a clear design lineage between the Type 2 and the Buzz, the resemblance is only skin deep.

This I.D. Buzz concept is a runner in the purest sense of the word. It can maintain a steady 50 mph across the Golden Gate Bridge and snake through corners like a slot-car racer. The grabby brakes get on surprisingly well with the home-cooked light gray tires, the turning circle is tight, thanks to the absence of a bulky combustion engine, and the single-speed transmission operated via steering-wheel buttons hooks up with instant-torque vigor. “We built this model to be fully operational,” says Dzemal Sjenar, senior engineer for VW concept cars. “So simply go for it. Don’t worry too much about wear and tear. And rest assured that a single charge will safely take you through a 12-hour day.” This is exactly what we did, pairing the yellow-over-white ambassador of a cleaner tomorrow with the orange-over-cream museum piece, a digital hippie leading its analog ancestor. The original Type 2 (fun fact: the VW Beetle is the Type 1) and its rough, air-cooled engine was kind of a Porsche 356 A with seven seats. It was gutless and notoriously short of breath, and you needed to rev the lungs out of its coughing flat-four in order to build anything resembling momentum.

Dynamically speaking, driving the first-generation 1952 Microbus is a lesson in patience. Its huge, nearly horizontal two-spoke steering wheel turns the front wheels with the precision and ease of a vintage Armenian truck, the spindly gear lever rides the four-speed transmission like a one-legged amateur stilt walker, the heavy clutch must travel a long distance before polishing off 49 lb-ft of torque in one easy lick, the four drum brakes might lock up briefly or pull to either side before getting down to work, and the skinny vintage tires like to let go without warning. The floor-mounted pedals are charmingly Porsche-like, but the throttle response is not. This might have to do with the 3,500-rpm redline and the fact that at last count we could not round up more than 25 horses. It takes just short of forever to reach its top speed of around 53 mph when the bus is traveling on a flat stretch of road.

The I.D. Buzz is altogether different. In top-of-the-line guise, a 150-kW rear motor and a 125-kW motor driving the front wheels for a total of roughly 369 horsepower are allegedly enough to accelerate the bus from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The lesser version combines all-wheel drive with a pair of powerplants rated at a more modest 302 horsepower. The entry-level I.D. Buzz will relay 201 hp exclusively to the rear wheels. The three different power packs are paired with three different battery sizes good for 60, 83, and 111 kWh. Regardless of output, top speeds will be electronically limited to 100 mph. (Volkswagen estimates between 200 and 270 miles of range for the concept Buzz.) The maximum charging power is 220 kW, maximum voltage is 400V, and minimum charge time should be around 20 minutes for an 80 percent state of charge.

The Buzz concept has some features that aren’t likely to make it to production, such as the side-mirror cameras, and some touches that may, like the “Play/Pause” foot pedal designs and the dial-based drive selector.

Like all future electric VWs, the Buzz sits on the brand’s modular electric architecture (MEB). At its heart is a rigid battery cradle located inside a honeycomb frame designed to optimize side-impact protection. Accessible from below for repair and replacement, it accommodates between three and five energy packs positioned to ensure a fixed weight distribution of 48/52 percent front/rear. The MEB layout provides a low center of gravity as well as exceptional space utilization. The front axle relies on MacPherson struts while the rear suspension is a multilink setup. The concept car uses conventional springs and dampers, but by 2022 you will also be able to specify a fully adjustable air suspension. Mounted ahead of the front axle is the variable-rate, variable-effort electrically assisted power steering. Rear-wheel steering will be an option, sources say. The brakes are capable of passive and driver-induced energy regeneration. Although definitive dimensions are not finalized, we hear the show car, which is 194.5 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 77.3 inches high with a 129.9-inch wheelbase, is physically quite close to the real thing.

Featuring fully adjustable swiveling seats up front and a sofa-like rear bench, the Buzz concept is designed to accommodate up to eight passengers in style and comfort, though the middle seats were removed for our drive. Like in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the rear side windows can dim for a cocooning effect. Although the concept car comes with a retractable steering wheel as well as an array of sensors and cameras to demonstrate that autonomous driving is very much on the agenda, the timing for these technologies is still unclear. Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess answers with a wink: “At this point, it would be cheaper to hire a human being in a low labor-cost country to monitor the car 24/7. Should a dangerous situation arise, that person would take corrective action over the air.”

At Monterey, restored buses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000.

In San Francisco, though legendary rock music venues such as the Fillmore West and the Avalon Ballroom are no more, certain parts of the city still move to the music of the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Doors. The Haight-Ashbury area in particular remains a sanctuary for flower-power children of all ages, some of whom attended the legendary Altamont and Woodstock festivals, went to see Janis Joplin sing and Ravi Shankar play the sitar, were disciples of Timothy Leary, read and listened to Leonard Cohen, and digged on Zen, dharma, karma, and any other kind of counterculture. Before 1966, LSD was legal in California, and to this day you probably don’t have to search too long for vendors peddling tickets to the Promised Land.

We stop our caravan, and two street urchins quickly stagger over, mumbling “hey, man,” and “what the heck?” through broad smiles revealing incomplete sets of teeth. To celebrate the apparition, they light a thinly rolled brown joint. Like the rest of the quickly gathering crowd, our new friends are torn between old and new. Although the Microbus brings back memories of love, peace, and amphetamine-fueled frenzy followed by going cold turkey, the I.D. Buzz is identified immediately as e-powered by the San Francisco residents who adore Teslas and the Prius. Whoever owns a Volkswagen bus, irrespective of vintage or condition, grinds to a stop, hops out, takes a zillion pictures, then asks the inevitable questions: Are these for sale? How much? When can I buy one? Does it drive OK?

The I.D. Buzz offers ample space inside, having grown by 26 inches in length and 10 inches in width over the original Type 2 Microbus.

The Buzz is much too quick for its arthritic sibling, and it cracks open the door to a new level of near-silent lounge-like roominess. The interior is light and airy, the ergonomics are pleasingly minimalist, and the seating position defines “command.” Strangely enough, the ancient spring-loaded seats of the Microbus cope better with the area’s more suspect roads than the contemporary foam buckets do. And the old-fashioned lever-operated parking brake provides more positive feedback than the new, whirring push-button stopper. But the ride comfort is more than nine clouds better in the 2017 show car, its handling eclipses the top-heavy 21-window bus by a world and a half, and the difference in cornering grip compares like speed carving does to stem turns. Everything in the I.D. Buzz works as if by magic touch. The doors open and close automatically, the camera-operated side mirrors and the reverse camera create a new quality of surround-view, and the electronic brain displays its findings on an extra-large screen between the seats.

When we kicked off the day at Twin Peaks in drizzle and fog, the batteries were 90 percent charged. Almost 14 hours and 53 miles later, the readout had just dipped below the halfway mark—not bad for a provisional preprototype equipped with an e-Golf’s humble drivetrain.

At the Monterey auctions held in mid-August, fully restored Microbuses went for between $86,000 and about $100,000. When the I.D. Buzz arrives in 2022, VW intends to sell it at a price north of $45,000 in today’s money. That’s way too much for some of the remaining hippies, but perhaps it’s a tempting proposal for middle-class families, especially if VW can deliver on brand values like solidity, longevity, and affordability with—hopefully—newfound strengths such as coolness, cleverness, and modernity.

IFTTT