Porsche race cars have driven from victory to victory right up to the present day. From the 1950s to 1970s, they were supported by the legendary Renndienst (‘race service’) buses. Over the years, these dark red VW buses have gathered a cult following of their own. After more than five decades, Porsche Deutschland and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are reviving this tradition with the latest technology: the vehicles are now based on the fully electric ID. Buzz.
Fans of the Renndienst buses that supported Porsche racing teams in the past by bringing mechanics, tools and spare parts to the track, can now look forward to a modern reincarnation based on the ID. Buzz from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The electric bus, which is of course dark red, has a retro look and features the ‘Renndienst’ lettering to remind us of its legendary predecessors. Other things have also stayed the same: inspired by the original Volkswagen bus, the new Renndienst ID. Buzz is a high-performance and sustainable commercial vehicle that takes the challenges of day-to-day work in its stride, both on and off the track.
Lars Krause, Member of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Board of Management for Sales and Marketing: “The history surrounding the T1 and T2 Porsche Renndienst buses is unique. Like the Porsche race cars they accompanied, the red buses also achieved cult status. We are building on this and reviving the partnership in a very contemporary way: still dark red, but now also noticeably quiet – because they are electric, with the ID. Buzz as a basis.”
The two ID. Buzz were already present on the race track at the first race of the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in Spa-Francorchamps. “I am delighted that the legendary Renndienst bus is experiencing a revival in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany,” says Alexander Pollich, CEO of Porsche Deutschland GmbH. “The two ID. Buzz with a racing design will accompany us to every race over the next few months and support our teams in their work.”
Background: As early as 1954, the first Renndienst bus was used by the Porsche works team at the Mille Miglia. Porsche did not have a suitable vehicle to transport tools and spare parts, so the idea arose to convert a VW bus for this purpose. The first vehicle was based on a T1. Numerous Renndienst buses based on the VW Transporter (T1 and T2) followed in the 1950s to 1970s. The vans with their reliable air-cooled engines were not only used as mobile service stations, but also as temporary accommodation for the engineers and other team members.
And the Renndienst buses weren’t just functional – they also looked great with their dark red paintwork. Even though it was always the legendary Porsche 904, 908, 910 and 917 cars that took the headlines, the VW buses became an integral part of the works team. Today, some of the still surviving Renndienst buses are exhibited in museums or stored in the garages of Porsche collectors. Perhaps the new models will be added to these collections in a few years.
In the 2023 season, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany will take place across four different European countries. The series kicked off with the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The next highlight of the season is the Festival of Dreams at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Porsche Deutschland is celebrating the Festival of Dreams at the Porsche Experience Centre at the Hockenheimring to mark the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars. The festival will be opened at 9:11 a.m. on Saturday, 10 June, and offers a varied programme throughout the weekend, including the opportunity to follow the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux and the ADAC GT Masters live from the Hockenheimring grandstand. Free festival tickets can be booked here now: www.festival-of-dreams.de