ID Buzz gets crucial third row - plus 339hp GTX
Long wheelbase version debuts in US - but it's coming to Europe, too
Never let it be said that VW doesn’t know its audience. The ID Buzz had been kept back from North America in standard form, but now it’s set for sale Stateside - and the launch strategy couldn’t be better. Not only is it being debuted in new long-wheelbase format (adding another 250mm between the axles for a third row of seats), there’s also a more powerful 286hp motor. And it’s being shown to the world at Huntington Beach, the surfing haven on PCH near Los Angeles. The US loves a VW bus, and bigger is of course always better over there - this feels like a very smart move indeed - and ought to be manna from heaven for anyone with a larger family.
A lifestyley van has been away from the US for ages, VW not selling one since the old T4 two decades ago. So the arrival of the Buzz in North America is arguably an even bigger deal over there than it has been in Europe, especially with a proper outdoorsy, road trip culture, and a real desire to make the most of 72 hours of annual leave each year. Or at least that’s how TV makes it look. The bigger Buzz should be ideal for that: if all seven seats aren’t required, there are up to 2,469 litres of boot space for tents, barbecues, and whatever else needs to be taken to the forest. A heat pump is on offer to help out in winter. There’s also now an 85kWh battery instead of the 77kWh seen so far, to get buyers a little further off the beaten track, plus the ability to reach 62mph in less than eight seconds and 99mph flat out. The current Euro-spec can only muster 10.2 and 90mph. Don’t forget the GTX is coming too, all 339hp and 6.4 seconds to 62 of it, ‘perfect for rapidly merging with traffic on the highway.’ As if the state trooper needed an excuse to pull over something that looks like this.
Otherwise, the US Buzz is the car we’ve come to know and admire here, with a funky palette of colours inside and out and a dash familiar from the rest of the ID family. New for the LWB, however, is a giant pano roof - 1.5m squared of smart glass makes it the biggest VW glass roof ever - a head-up display and remote parking via smartphone. Apparently, there’s ‘upgraded, next-generation infotainment’, too, so maybe there’s hope for a VW screen yet. We’d expect all these upgrades to make it to the European extended wheelbase Buzz.
Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, said: “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 fulfil this task.” Indeed, VW believes there’s such a following for the car now that it’s declaring June 2nd as Volkswagen Bus Day for the USA, so get that in the calendar for 2024. As for Europe, the big Buzz will be shown off at Europe’s largest VW Bus meet, the Hanover VW Bus Festival, later in June. Probably be as popular there as at Huntington Beach…
I'm also surprised how few of the 2 row version I've seen here in the UK, I'd thought they'd be everywhere.
I'm also surprised how few of the 2 row version I've seen here in the UK, I'd thought they'd be everywhere.
As for the VW, I get it but not something that grabs me.
As for the VW, I get it but not something that grabs me.
Nevertheless I expected to be knee deep in them by now. Presumably the US is getting the lion’s share of the o/p at the moment.
Anyway, a camper version of this would be the logical replacement for our T5 camper, but with no mention of range, and no personal experience of how easy long trips are in the UK & Europe in an EV I would think this is the major issue with these (other than cost!)?
I know these get labelled as "lifestyle", but we really do use it for everything... chuck an MTB in / on the back for a weekend away in the mountains, spur of the moment camping & running weekends or trips to the local beaches to cook tea while the daughters are surfing, long holiday round Europe, plus there's still enough room in them for tip runs though you're carrying a kitchen & bed...
Nevertheless I expected to be knee deep in them by now. Presumably the US is getting the lion’s share of the o/p at the moment.
I was really expecting them to stand out - maybe the ones I've seen were just in duller colours or perhaps it's the size?
As for sales numbers - maybe these are not great on salary sacrifice or car lease schemes, I'm sensing that is where most of the more expensive EVs are getting bought from and if electric cars are seen more as utensils the looks can't overcome price?
That’s higher up the pay and job scale, much tougher lower down although that’s not VW’s target group here.
Almost no one will road trip them anyway, it would make a great family car.
I have 4 kids, so we have a 7 seater that is used as a "family car" used in many 'family' situations. I can tell you now that the very last thing I want want to do is be entertaining my kids at the services for 30mins each time just so I can travel a bit further across the country and then back. Family's go on day trips, drive to see relatives, which I think is safe to (in general) say contains 'miles', sometimes to places where charge points are hard/scarce. The Buzz is not capable of doing journeys that do 'miles' due to the very limited range which forces you to stop and charge, at points in a journey a 'family' really don't want to be doing. If I'm travelling at night the last thing I want to do is stop and wake up the kids just so I can charge to get to the end of my journey. 150-200 real-world miles in a car like this is pretty useless for a large 'family' doing the things it's intended.
My family car returns 45mpg on the run and has a 600+mile tank. So no need to stop at night or mid-journey, which brings all the inconvenience that goes with stopping at the services with your "family". It's not just about stopping at the services though, it's also about charging the other end etc etc.
IMO these new electric 'family' cars need a real world range of at least 300miles for them to be remotely used for what they could be. The problem with that is the price then jumps hugely. Volvo EX90 is £100k+ as is the Tesla X. Personally I'm curious to see what price the Kia EV9 is going to be.
Until then I can't make the jump to Electric as my 'family' car.
My family car returns 45mpg on the run and has a 600+mile tank. So no need to stop at night or mid-journey, which brings all the inconvenience that goes with stopping at the services with your "family". It's not just about stopping at the services though, it's also about charging the other end etc etc.
IMO these new electric 'family' cars need a real world range of at least 300miles for them to be remotely used for what they could be. The problem with that is the price then jumps hugely. Volvo EX90 is £100k+ as is the Tesla X. Personally I'm curious to see what price the Kia EV9 is going to be.
Until then I can't make the jump to Electric as my 'family' car.
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