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Jun 22, 2023

Everything You Need To Know About The Volkswagen ID.Buzz

The new ID.Buzz is an electrified version of the famous VW Type 2 that will soon

The new ID.Buzz is an electrified version of the famous VW Type 2 that will soon make its way to the U.S.

As the automotive industry keeps shifting towards an electric future, companies are now deciding to bring back some blasts from the past and equip them with new powertrains. The feedback, however, is not always positive, and there have been instances where consumers were left sorely disappointed. This is why it’ll be interesting to see how things turn out for the new Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Now, you must have certainly seen and heard of the good ol’ VW MicroBus Type 2, also known as the Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, or even Bulli (In Germany). The legendary van was first introduced in the 50s and went on to animate the Hippie era, and even attended the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival where the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin played in front of 50,000 people.

Today, the VW.ID Buzz comes with a new powertrain and a retro-ish design to commemorate, and possibly extend, the legacy of its iconic daddy. The new ID.Buzz has already amassed a couple of accolades as it recently beat the Toyota GR86 and several others for the 2023 What Car? Car Of The Year award. It also claimed the award for Best Large Electric Car for all the comfort and style it brings to the table. While Europeans have already started enjoying a short-wheelbase model with two rows of seating, their fellow consumers on the American continent will have to wait a bit more.

Related: Why The Volkswagen ID.7 Is A Major Threat To The Tesla Model 3

The electric van will make its U.S. debut on June 2nd, but won't be hitting any dealerships until next year. Americans will thus have to wait until the summer of 2024 for the three-row, long-wheelbase version that is reserved for them. The U.S.-bound variant will be a 2025 model and is expected to offer seating for seven passengers. The trim options haven't been divulged yet, but it is estimated that the starting price of the VW ID Buzz will be around 40,000. For that amount of money, American consumers will be treated to a larger battery pack than the 77.0-kWh available on the other side of the globe. This leads us to think the range of the microbus will possibly exceed 250 miles. An eight-year/100, 000-mile warranty for the battery pack can be expected. The vehicle will also likely come with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. On top of all of that, customers can also expect an even lankier California-style ID.Buzz similar to the cargo version currently sold in Europe.

The production of the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz will take place in the German city of Hannover. As of now, the European company seems to have no intent of making their electric van on American soil, which will definitely result in a bigger tag price. However, the former CEO and President of the Volkswagen Group of America took a rather reassuring tone when addressing the prospect of direct online sales: "We have not decided, but we're taking a long, hard look at it" said former CEO Scott Keogh, who voiced his displeasure at the way dealerships make an afterthought of the consumers

Related: Everything You Need To Know About The Volkswagen ID. 2all Concept

While we have yet to be given the specs and numbers for the American ID Buzz, the performance of the European version can be quite a good indicator. The current Buzz is virtually identical to the Volkswagen ID.4. It features a single motor that churns out 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque with a rear-wheel drive setup. The 77.0-kWh battery provides a range of 263 miles on a full charge according to the WLTP, while the EPA rates would put it at 220 miles. The German company also claims that the current EV is able to sprint from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 10.2 seconds. Based on this, it is safe to assume that the bigger, longer, and more efficient option will offer a more powerful alternative.

Much like the Fisker Ocean, the new ID Buzz will be able to feature solar charging modules. The solar panels will be designed by German tuning specialist, ABT e-line, and will deliver up to 600W to the traction battery pack of the ID. VW also assures that the ID Buzz's batteries will not rely on cobalt, an expensive metal associated with pollution and severe claims of human rights violation. Today, the raw material is used in most ion batteries and mined for the most part in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where thousands of underpaid workers, including children and pregnant women, work in hellish conditions to extract it. Another environmental concern that the German company has vowed to quell is that of battery disposal, as it promises to take back all expired batteries to repurpose them for a second use.

Related: ​​​​​​​Here's Everything You Need To Know About The Volkswagen ID.7

The ID Buzz comes with a new look that reminds us of its predecessor, but doesn't necessarily carry the same aura. Each side carries slight curves that ornament the van without being too pronounced. We also have a four-window area as well as two stumpy wheels on each axle. The full length of the back is occupied by a headlight bar that extends all the way to the fenders. In terms of aerodynamics, we find three fake vents on each side, that serve no purpose whatsoever, but still look kinda cool.

The modern vibe is a slight departure from the joyful demeanor of the retro version. The MPV is still interesting, however, with a compact body and a bi-tone color pattern that serves to charm rather than impress. The rear, power-sliding doors give access to a large backseat area with plenty of headroom and even more storage compartments. The longer U.S. version can be expected to have a wheelbase of around 128.3 inches, for about 196 inches of length, 78 inches of width, and 76 inches of height. In consistency with its other eco-friendly measures, VW has also decided to refrain from resorting to any animal-origin materials, and used organic paint on the outside of the car.

Related: 5 Reasons Why The Volkswagen ID.4 Is Great

The interior offers a cozy atmosphere and borrows its style from the VW ID4. Engineers went out of their way to maximize the practicality of the cabin. Quirky storage compartments can be found around the door panel, the glove box, and pretty much everywhere. A USB type-C port is conveniently placed on the passenger door panel while the driver gets a switch to control the tailgate, and two USB ports near the steering wheel. The large center console can be removed, giving you even more storage space on top of easier access to the rear seats. The European model features a standard 10-inch infotainment screen similar to the one found in the Golf GTI.

The 5.3-inch gauge cluster is relatively smaller and pretty simplistic, yet still stands out. On top of these two screens, the van incorporates a third way of interacting with you. The ID Light is a display system that uses your windshield to bring regular assistance, and notify you in case of danger. As of now, it is difficult to make a proper estimate of how fast, efficient, or reliable the American ID Buzz is going to be, but the data seems encouraging so far. Remains to be seen how wide the quality gap is going to be between the upcoming version and the one currently available in Europe.

Nacim is a car lover, a combat sports fan and a journalist. Being a polyglot and a multitasker, he has entrenched himself in several fields, ranging from Translation to Voice Acting.Nacim is fluent in French, Arabic and English, holds a Master's Degree in Interpreting, and dreams of driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse.