Who is joining Continental as VW ID. Buzz tyre supplier?
Continental has confirmed OE supply for the ID. Buzz, but other tyre makers may come on board (Photo: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles)
When Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles began manufacturing the ID. Buzz at its Hannover plant in Germany last month, it described the production start as a “milestone in the brand’s electrification.” VW intends to build up to 130,000 units a year, and Continental has already ‘outed’ itself as original equipment tyre supplier. But despite the German manufacturer’s long history of equipping VW campervans, the EcoContact 6 Q is presumably not the only tyre being supplied to VW production lines for the ID. Buzz.
Initially, the five-seater ID. Buzz will hit the streets in Pro guise before arriving in a more basic version called Pure and as the two/three-seater ID. Buzz Cargo van later this year. The first models come with size 235/60 R19 105T tyres as standard equipment on the front axle and 255/50 R19 107T tyres at the rear. Both feature what VW calls ‘Airstop’, its name for sealing technology such as that marketed by Continental under the ContiSeal name.
Hankook & Goodyear are likely candidates
Continental reports delivery of the EcoContact 6 Q in 19- and 20-inch rim diameter dimensions, but it appears that other tyre makers may also supply original equipment tyres. At least the two pre-production show cars that Volkswagen produced as part of an ongoing collaboration with the new Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, the ID. Buzz Light Side Edition and ID. Buzz Dark Side Edition, wore Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³ EV tyres. And the press database of VW’s commercial vehicle division contains photos of the ID. Buzz Cargo fitted with the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons.
Admittedly, this does not necessarily mean anything, as in other photos the ID. Buzz appears with Continental SportContact 6 tyres on the front axle and PremiumContact 6 on the rear. But the five-seater can also be ordered with 21-inch tyres in addition to 19 and 20-inch dimensions, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles lists 235/60 R18 103T (front) and 255/55 R18 105T (rear) as standard tyre sizes for the ID. Buzz Cargo, with 19- and 20-inch tyres listed as optional extras.
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