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VW, Obi-Wan Kenobi'den Esinlenen İki ID.Buzz Van'ı Patlattı

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The ID.Buzz Light Side wheels.

Volkswagen is hoping “the Force” will be with it when it launches the new ID.Buzz, betting on a Disney tie-up will give the all-electric microbus some added momentum.

As Disney gets ready to begin the next adventure in the staggeringly successful Star Wars series, VW has rolled out two versions of the ID.Buzz “inspired” by that wise old Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

“The showcars, ID. Buzz ‘Light Side Edition’ and the ID. Buzz ‘Dark Side Edition,’ embody the Light and Dark side with eye-catching looks designed to delight and thrill Star Wars fans,” the German automaker said in a statement.

Choosing between the Light and Dark Side

It’s been more than 40 years since the original Star Wars movie made its debut. Since George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney, the Mouse House has ramped up production of spin-off series on its Disney+ streaming service. The latest is Obi-Wan Kenobi, which launched on May 27 as a prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy. The Jedi master is now in hiding while trying to protect a young Luke Skywalker, who eventually will bring down the evil empire.

The ID.Buzz Dark side wheels

Fittingly, VW has come up with two distinct versions of the ID.Buzz to reflect both the “Light” and “Dark” sides of the Force, the quasi-religious power that binds that “galaxy far, far away.”

Both use special adhesive skins, VW explains, drawing inspiration from Obi-Wan and Darth Vader, his one-time protégé turned to the Dark Side. The automaker says it worked closely with Disney’s LucasFilm unit on the project.

“In close collaboration with Lucasfilm, we combine the timeless and functional design of the ID. Buzz with the fascinatingly detailed world of Obi-Wan Kenobi,” said Volkswagen Head of Design Jozef Kabaň. This philosophy also compelled the ID. Buzz lettering on the rear of the vehicles, which was designed in the classic Star Wars “Aurebesh” font – instead of in the font of standard Volkswagen models. Other lettering inspired by the series, is located on the fenders.

Light sabers and droids

The ID.Buzz Star Wars vans are filled with Easter eggs.

The Light Side Edition Is done up in a light beige similar to the tunic worn by Obi-Wan. You’ll find plenty of Easter eggs in the design, with chrome pieces on the body representing characters like the Star Wars droids, as well as series’ various ships. There also are symbols on other parts of the van representing the various rebel characters and, of course, the iconic light saber wielded by Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Dark Side ID.Buzz features a variety of images representing the evil empire and its own Jedi master, Darth Vader. This version of the van is done up in black with red accents.

“The opportunity to explore how ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and the Volkswagen brand could come together on a vehicle was pure fun,” said says Doug Chiang, Lucasfilm VP and Executive Creative Director. “The themes of good and evil, light and dark aren’t necessarily concepts we apply to cars. The ID. Buzz collaboration offered a unique opportunity to have the cars become graphic reflections of two iconic characters.”

Unfortunately for fans who’d like to buy one of the themed Buzz models, it appears these are one-off projects with no production plans in the works.

VW isn’t the only automaker drawn to the Force

Nissan unveiled six Star Wars-themed show vehicles at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.

VW isn’t the only automaker drawn to the Force of the wildly popular Star Wars franchise. An assortment of manufacturers have tried to benefit from tie-ins over the decades. Back in 2015, what was then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles launched a series of commercials including its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands linked to one of the Star Wars movies.

Nissan launched a tie-in to the franchise’s Rogue One movie in 2017, complete with a special version of, appropriately, its little Rogue SUV. It also featured the partnership in its auto show displays, compete with a life-size replica of the Empire’s Tie fighter introduced during the Los Angeles Auto Show, as well as a Storm Trooper-inspired Titan pickup.

The very first tie-in dates back to 1977, just as the Lucas cinematic empire got underway. Toyota crafted a Star Wars-themed Celica GT that was supposed to be part of a sweepstakes program. But the project never got beyond the conceptual stage and even the original Celica prototype has vanished, leaving many to wonder where in that far-off galaxy it might have wound up.

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