VW’s reborn Microbus, the ID. Buzz, will surf the EV wave in 2023
VW’s funky ID. Buzz electric van will arrive on U.S. shores as a 2024 model. American buyers will be offered the thoroughly modern Microbus as a 300 horsepower luxury people mover, a year after Europeans first get a commercial version.
Carsten Intra, boss of Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles confirmed that the American edition of the ID. Buzz will come only in long-wheelbase form, but there will be choice of battery packs and drivetrains. The entry-level version will be rear-wheel drive, and come with 200-odd hp, while the highest-specification bus will pack all-wheel-drive, and as much as 300 hp.
Like the newly-launched ID.4 SUV the ID. Buzz is based on VW’s MEB platform which houses its batteries and motor(s) in a skateboard chassis. The architecture is flexible in size and allows for a range of body styles to be mounted atop, as demonstrated by numerous VW electric concept cars from dune buggies to roadsters.
European buyers will first see the ID. Buzz as a panel van, and will also be offered a short-wheelbase version. As we reported recently, the van will come laden with Level 4 autonomous technology, making it the first VW that can drive itself since Herbie.
The ID. Buzz is expected to look almost identical to the concept first shown in 2017 and feature a minimalist, spacious interior and presumably it won’t be long until the #vanlife crew start kitting it out as a camper. Then we’ll discover how suited to off-grid living an electric bus can be.
