The Minimalle Exokit in a 7-seater Volkswagen ID Buzz LWB
When the Volkswagen dealership in Saint-Brieuc offered us the opportunity to test the Minimalle on a two-tone green and white extended ID Buzz, we didn't hesitate for long. It was a chance to see, in real-world conditions, what a 7-seater van could offer in terms of sleeping comfort without any fixed alterations.
A 7-seater van unlike any other
The Volkswagen ID Buzz LWB is the larger format of the ID Buzz family. With its two rows of passenger seats and generous trunk, it offers 7 seats while remaining maneuverable. But it's primarily its appearance that stands out. The rounded curves, the two-tone bodywork, the balance between visual lightness and actual size: in the coastal parking lot where we conducted this test, the van didn't go unnoticed. Passers-by stopped, smiled, and approached.
This green and white ID Buzz directly recalls the first Volkswagen Kombis of the 1950s and 1960s, with all the modernity of an electric vehicle. This is precisely what motivated the collaboration with the Saint-Brieuc dealership, and why they have since permanently displayed a Minimalle installed on another ID Buzz in their showroom.
The Minimalle in the trunk: a perfect fit
The first question when discussing the Minimalle in an ID Buzz is the available space. The Buzz LWB's trunk is deep, but not unlimited. Test result: the Minimalle Exokit (120 cm long when folded) fits with a few centimeters of margin on each side. No forcing, no acrobatic maneuvers. This margin on either side even allows the tie-down straps to be slipped on without difficulty, directly onto the trunk floor hooks. The trunk box is securely immobilized without any DIY modifications.
A technical detail worth mentioning: the Minimalle comes with foldable legs for the comb system. In the trunk, the box rests in a raised position relative to the vehicle floor. When the comb unfolds towards the front of the van, the front legs must compensate for this height difference. Once the comb is folded back, the difference no longer exists. Exokit designed a system of foldable legs that perfectly meets this constraint: when deployed, they offer the necessary length; when folded, they don't get in the way.
Switching from driving mode to sleeping mode
The transition from 7 seats to a sleeping area is done in two stages, without tools and without effort.
The two individual rear seats are removed by pulling a handle located at the back of the seat. The seat slides out of its housing on its own. It is light, compact, and easy to place in a garage or store elsewhere for the duration of the trip. No screwing, no keys.
Once the space is freed, the Minimalle unfolds from the trunk and extends over the three central row seats. These seats remain in place and serve as intermediate support for the comb system. The sleeping area reaches 180 cm, from the back of the trunk to the rear area. The remaining 5 seats, the two front ones and the three in the central row, are fully usable for driving. The van loses none of its passenger functionality.
The result
This test confirmed something we've championed at Exokit from the beginning: a well-chosen standard van can offer real sleeping comfort without fixed alterations, without losing its modularity, and without sacrificing passenger seats.
The ID Buzz LWB in this two-tone green and white configuration perfectly illustrates this idea. A vehicle that turns heads in the morning, transports the family at noon, and can accommodate two people for the night when evening comes. The Exokit team and the Volkswagen dealership in Saint-Brieuc appreciated this test and the ease of implementation.
Discover the Minimalle
The Minimalle Exokit is designed for leisure activity vehicles and minivans without permanent alterations. If your vehicle is a larger van or commercial vehicle, the MaxiMalle Exokit offers the same principles in a wider format, with a 140 cm sleeping area.
