The Force is strong with Ewan McGregor and the all-electric Volkswagen ID. 

• Recently announced as a Volkswagen brand ambassador, Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor’s passion for VWs began from an early age.
  

At a recent visit to Volkswagen Commercial in Hanover, Germany, Hollywood star and new Volkswagen brand ambassador Ewan McGregor struggled to hide his enthusiasm as he was guided on a tour of both the modern production facility, as well as this department’s treasured historic collection. A self-confessed fan of both the VW brand and notably its famous commercial vehicles, McGregor currently has in his collection a Type 2 T1 single-cab and is in the process of restoring a 1958 panel van. Among the three classic Beetles he owns, one is a ’54 model like the first car he bought at the age of 16. 

The Scottish actor who burst onto the scene in the 1996 movie Trainspotting has established himself as an A-list actor with diverse roles in blockbuster movies ranging from Moulin Rouge to The Island and, of course, with his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise. Away from the screen, McGregor is both a keen adventurer and activist, including being a longstanding ambassador with an UNICEF UK.

McGregor is keen to make a difference where he can. Having completed a series of three cross-continent motorcycle journeys with long-time friend Charlie Boorman – including a second instalment that culminated in the Western Cape – the Star Wars actor has experienced first-hand how fragile certain ecosystems are, and how dependent many communities around the world are on stability when it comes to the prevailing climate. Shortly after completing their latest Long Way Up expedition, journeying from the southern tip of South America to Los Angeles on all-electric motorcycles, McGregor promptly set about having his ’54 Beetle’s powertrain converted to all-electric. Driving it regularly around his adopted home of LA, he admits to loving both the instant torque offered by the battery-electric drivetrain but also the newfound levels of quietness enjoyed in the cabin. 

A key contributor in the recent collaboration between Volkswagen Commercial and the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, McGregor was not only on-hand to celebrate the reveal of two one-off Star Wars-inspired Volkswagen ID. Buzz models – the Light Side Edition and, of course, the Dark Side Edition – but Obi-Wan himself has spent time on the configurator for this all-electric evolution of the famous Transporter bus; his personalised example is set to leave the Hanover production line in due course. 

“My one is orange,” says McGregor. “Generally, I think the ID. Buzz is a practical, safe but really fun vehicle. You don’t experience this so often with new cars. The ID. Buzz has got character. That is unusual for a new car and it puts a smile on my face. It is very cheerful on the outside and on the inside. I think it is a really happy car.” 

Volkswagen has produced more than 13-million examples of its Transporter package over the course of more than 70-years and covering seven generations. While the all-new ID. Buzz pays homage to the original model’s exterior design language, this future-focused VW features a 77 kWh battery and single electric motor positioned on the rear axle. Set to be available in several body and seating configurations, the ID. Buzz will offer an operating range of up to 600 km.