Volkswagen ID. Buzz Model Reveal Gives Us a Taste of What’s to Come
Van lovers can rejoice: the iconic Volkswagen microbus is returning as the all-electric ID. Buzz. This month, Volkswagen released information on the VW ID. Buzz, which is set to debut for the first time later this year. Here’s the latest on it:
The all-electric Volkswagen ID. family of vehicles
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz marks the third model in Volkswagen’s all-electric ID line and joins the ID.3 and ID.4. The Volkswagen ID.3 is a compact hatchback competitor for the likes of the Chevy Bolt and the Nissan Leaf. The Volkswagen ID.4, on the other hand, is a compact SUV that competes with models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. The VW ID.3 is currently only available in Europe, but the VW ID.4 can be bought stateside.
Each model in the ID. family uses the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform. Volkswagen says this allows for scalable mass production for different segments and models. It also allows for over-the-air updates.
What do we know about the VW ID. Buzz?
This month, Volkswagen announced more information on the ID. Buzz ahead of its European rollout in fall 2022. It will be available in two models: the ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo. Volkswagen says the ID. Buzz will be a five-seater and the ID. Buzz Cargo will be more like a van with just three seats in the front. The first models will have a 201-horsepower, 229 lb-ft torque powertrain with a top speed of 90 mph. Specifics on driving range have not been released.
Sustainability is a massive part of Volkswagen ID. Buzz production. Volkswagen states the fabric used inside will be made of Seaqual yarn, which is made up of 90% recycled PET bottles and 10% collected ocean plastic. Both models will also use organic vehicle paint. A company plant will also recycle the vehicle’s high-voltage batteries to prepare them for a second use.
“Both versions of the ID. Buzz are pioneering in terms of their sustainability,” Carsten Intra, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand, said in a statement featured on the Volkswagen media site. “Their manufacture and shipping has a carbon-neutral footprint. We are also using recycled synthetic materials and the interior is completely free of any real leather.”
The warranty on the VW ID. Buzz battery is for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever happens first. There are plenty of driver assists to enjoy too, like Lane Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and optional ones like Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Assist, Park Assist, and Area View.
How soon will the Volkswagen ID. Buzz be available in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, microbus enthusiasts in America will have to wait a little longer than those overseas to put in an order for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Estimates put the U.S. rollout for the I.D. Buzz coming in 2024. Additionally, the microbus in the U.S. is expected to be a bit different than what’s coming this fall to Europe.
Car and Driver details the U.S. version will have a longer wheelbase and a third row of seats. The battery pack will also be larger than its European counterpart. The pack will likely be more powerful – closer to the 295-horsepower unit in the ID.4.
One of the options on the European VW ID. Buzz is also vehicle-to-home charging, meaning you can use the bus as a power bank for other devices, but that will not be coming overseas. However, other electric options like the plug-and-charge technology, in which the ID. Buzz will be recognized by any charging station immediately upon plugging it in, will be included in U.S. models. Fast charging rates of up to 170 kW will be standard.
Car and Driver estimates the starting price of the American ID. Buzz should be around $40,000. It’ll come in seven single-tone and four two-tone options.
