VW has revealed the much-anticipated lengthy wheelbase model of its ID. Buzz electrical microbus, with an additional row of seats and beginning deliveries subsequent yr within the US.
Replace: we’ve added some extra info we gathered as we speak on the reveal occasion this morning in Huntington Seaside, CA.
The brand new ID. Buzz model is very similar to the two-row European-only spec, however with a bit of extra of nearly the whole lot. It has 282hp versus 201hp (plus an obtainable 330hp dual-motor configuration) with a high velocity of 99 mph as a substitute of 90 mph, 91kWh as a substitute of 82kWh of battery, and is a full 10 inches longer. It additionally will get an openable rear window, not like the two-row model.
These further 10 inches all come within the type of a 10-inch-longer wheelbase. At 192.4 inches lengthy, the three-row ID. Buzz is definitely a full 2 ft longer than VW’s authentic 168-inch-long microbus. This all means more room for people and cargo in comparison with the two-row model. The additional row of seats takes up a few of that house, however the 2nd row folds flat and third row may be eliminated (and Canada will get a novel long-wheelbase, two-row model, with out the third row of seats for many who simply need extra room).
Sitting within the automotive on the reveal occasion, there was no scarcity of house. At 6′ tall within the 2nd row and with a 6’3″ VW seller consultant behind me, each of us had no scarcity of room in any dimension. 6 adults shouldn’t have any downside right here, and doubtless 7 so long as not less than one in all them is skinny. VW is planning a 6-seat possibility, however we haven’t seen it but.
The longer wheelbase additionally means room for an additional 9kWh of battery. VW hasn’t but introduced the vary of the three-row model, although the European spec has 263 miles on the WLTP cycle. Whereas the 3-row has a bigger battery, it’s additionally an extended and heavier automobile, and EPA mileage estimates are considerably decrease than WLTP estimates, so we will’t make certain what the ultimate quantity will shake out as. All VW would inform is that it will likely be someplace between 200-300 miles.
As for charging functionality, the two-row bus has 170kW charging, however a VW rep advised us that the bigger battery will seemingly allow quicker charging, maybe as excessive as “round” 200kW.
The one stable efficiency-related reply VW supplied in writing, although, is that the Buzz has a drag coefficient of .29, which it calls “superb for a automobile of this form” (i.e., a brick).
The North American mannequin additionally is available in three new colours that aren’t obtainable on the European spec: Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Gray.
VW hasn’t but specified a worth for the US model of the ID.Buzz, but it surely begins within the $65K-$70K vary in Europe after taxes. Whereas the 3-row model is bigger, VW hinted to us on the occasion that US pricing would possibly even are available in under European pricing, however that’s clearly not a promise as nothing is formally introduced but.
A cheaper price could be obligatory as a result of the ID.Buzz shall be in-built Germany and imported to the US, which suggests it gained’t get entry to tax credit just like the US-built ID.4 does. This additionally means the US gained’t get the cargo van – it will be topic to the “rooster tax” which retains international vans out of the US. VW says home manufacturing might occur, however that’s contingent on gross sales going effectively (we at Electrek suppose VW is underestimating the marketplace for this automotive), and on manufacturing timelines.
Regardless, this places the value close to the high-end of the electrical SUV market, nowhere close to the entry degree. We point out electrical SUVs as a result of there isn’t actually one other automobile like this. There’s one plug-in hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, and a few business electrical vans just like the eSprinter and E-Transit. The ID. Buzz sits someplace adjoining to a van and a minivan, with extra character than both, so it’s onerous to actually discover a direct competitor for it.
However the closest factor might be minivans, and this shall be a lot larger worth than the gas-powered entry-level of that market, which is within the ~$35K vary. That stated, the Buzz might entry some state and native incentives and can have decrease operating prices from power and upkeep.
And, as the primary all-electric entry into the market, VW in all probability thinks it could possibly justify the next worth. Anecdotally, there does appear to be vital demand on the market for a cool minivan-esque electrical automobile – particularly one that might allow attention-grabbing conversion/journey choices.
VW didn’t give us any extra information in regards to the upcoming California camper van that it’s planning, however the lengthy wheelbase offers VW room to work with. With all that house and built-in electrical energy, there ought to be some actually cool choices on the market for van-lifers (even perhaps ones who wish to keep off the grid with photo voltaic panels). VW did showcase some cool tenting equipment on a two-row Buzz, and we’re trying ahead to seeing extra.
Electrek’s Take
We bought a bit of hands-on time with the ID.Buzz at as we speak’s reveal occasion in Huntington Seaside, and crowds have been fairly excited in regards to the new electrical bus.
As somebody whose household had a VW Vanagon Westfalia camper rising up, the VW bus has particular significance to me. My household went on plenty of adventures in that bus, and for all its quirks, it was an superior automobile.
And after I bought into electrical automobiles, I always thought of what a terrific platform a bus can be for an EV, with loads of room underneath the ground for batteries which might energy numerous tenting equipment (stoves, lights, leisure, and so on.).
So when Voltswagen confirmed off its authentic ID. Buzz idea and leaned onerous into the cool retro model of all of it, I used to be instantly offered on the thought. I, and lots of others, thought it was simply too cool.
Then actuality set in, and the automotive ended up trying rather less “cute” than the unique retro idea. The finalized model bought a bit of extra boxy form, misplaced the attribute previous multi-window look, and the business/cargo model even misplaced the rear home windows to simply appear to be a standard van.
However nonetheless, between the two-tone paint job and quick overhangs (although a less-forward driving place than basic buses, a results of trendy security necessities), the ID. Buzz stays extra “enjoyable” than a standard van. And it does have extra character than most minivans, and is much less boxy than different vans just like the Sprinter and Transit.
On the occasion as we speak, VW invited bus homeowners to point out up, and there was an enormous swath of them filling the car parking zone. A lot of them have been excited to see the bus coming again, however, like me, wished it carried over extra of the unique spirit of the basic bus. That stated, VW’s presentation leaned onerous into that basic bus tradition, so we hope it could possibly proceed to domesticate that and incorporate that spirit into the Buzz.
I do query, nevertheless, why North America can’t have the two-row model. It looks as if everyone seems to be releasing a three-row EV this yr, as if all of a sudden each American household gained two or three further members that their European counterparts didn’t.
One way or the other, my household’s 180-inch camper slept my complete American household comfortably, regardless of being a foot shorter than as we speak’s providing – and it even had a kitchen, too. And a Westfalia proprietor I spoke to, who owned the identical automobile I grew up in, stated the identical factor: he wished they’d have introduced the smaller model right here, and earlier.
VW of America advised us that they may choose both the quick or lengthy wheelbase for NA, they usually selected the lengthy one. They suppose it will match the market higher, and its myriad buyer sorts.
We have now an odd obsession with larger automobiles right here, regardless of their monumental prices to society (e.g., 1000’s of pedestrian lives). Some would say that People merely demand bigger automobiles, however the issue is extra advanced than that – it’s largely pushed by poor regulation that incentivizes the upsizing of automobiles. Fortunately the EPA has proven indicators that it want to bend the needle again, however considerably slowly.
Till then, we nonetheless get a neat, retro-esque bus that appears prefer it might get some superior camper capabilities. However a few of us should anticipate a extra micro-version of the basic microbus, as a substitute of the maxi-micro-bus America is getting now.
And there are nonetheless some questions which are but unanswered (worth, vary), however I’m excited to see what VW does with this bus anyway – and to see what sort of cool modifications folks stand up to in providing potential camper variations and the like.
