VW ID.Buzz Brings Back the Classic Bus With a New Long Wheelbase

• VW ID. Buzz will look even more like a VW bus now, with a long wheelbase allowing for three rows of seats.
• It comes with a 85 kWh battery and a 210 kW motor, giving it some nice power.
• Other features include a smart glass panoramic sunroof and remote parking via smartphone.

The iconic VW bus is making a comeback, and it’s coming back in style. Introducing the VW ID. Buzz with a long wheelbase, Volkswagen is making this one for the European, Canadian, and U.S. markets. It has already premiered here in the States, with an official reveal along the Pacific Coast Highway near Los Angeles on June 2. The European debut will happen at the international VW Bus Festival in Hanover, Germany, from June 23-25.

• Volkswagen ID.Buzz spotted at Electrify Expo San Francisco

About the ID. Buzz With the Long Wheelbase

This larger ID. Buzz is perfectly suited for the North American market, as its increased wheelbase – 4,962 mm, or 195 inches – means it can fit seven seats. It also offers ample storage space of up to 2,469 liters (87.2 cubic feet) and can accommodate a 85 kWh battery.

Equipped with a new 210 kW electric drive motor, the ID. Buzz can reach a top speed of 160 km/h (99.4 mph) and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7.9 seconds. For even more power, an all-wheel drive version – the GTX – with 250 kW has been announced for 2024. 

The ID. Buzz also comes with exciting features like a head-up display, an upgraded infotainment system, and remote parking via smartphone. It’ll also come with a high-tech panoramic sunroof with smart glass that can shift from transparent to opaque depending on your needs.

Ongoing Love for the VW Bus Transcends Generations

The VW bus has always had a special place in the hearts of Americans. Even though the T4 generation left the U.S. and Canada 20 years ago, the T1, T2, and T3 rear-engine models can still be spotted at beach parking lots in California, Florida, and Long Island today.

The executives at Volkswagen are thrilled to bring back the feel of the classic VW bus and reconnect with their passionate fan base. They see this VW ID. Buzz with the long wheelbase as a significant step towards reclaiming their status as a beloved brand.

“The ID. Buzz and the USA – it’s a perfect match! The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys real cult status. Our aim today is to further strengthen the Volkswagen brand in America. The ID. Buzz with long wheelbase is exactly the right model to fulfill this task,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America.

Lars Krause, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, also talked about the long love affair people have had with the VW bus: “In the USA, Canada, and Europe, the VW bus has embodied a unique attitude on life for decades. The picture of the legendary T1 Lightbus in Woodstock is unforgettable. The DNA of this symbol of freedom lives on in our ID. Buzz. It is of utmost importance to us that we can now offer the people of North America a modern, all-electric new edition with the ID. Buzz in an iconic design.”

When Can We See It?

The VW ID. Buzz with the long wheelbase will begin delivery in America in 2024, coinciding with its availability in Europe. Production of all ID. Buzz models will take place at Volkswagen’s cutting-edge plant in Hanover, Germany, the historical home of the VW Bus family. You can also see it up-close and personal at an upcoming Electrify Expo festival!

The VW bus is back, and it’s ready to embark on a new era of electric mobility.

VW ID. Buzz Gallery

SOURCE | IMAGES: VOLKSWAGEN | JOSE VALDEZ PHOTO

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