Is the 2025 ID.Buzz Enough to Save Volkswagen? Find Out with Jason Cammisa on the ICONS
After 23 years of teasers, Volkswagen’s new electric Bus is finally for sale in America.
Jason Cammisa is here for it, and he’s assembled some benchmark VWs alongside the new ID.Buzz in order to lend context not just to the new Bus as a vehicle but to its place in the cultural conversation. Along the way he’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Buzz, including why it’s a bellwether for VW’s continued existence.
Volkswagen’s history is easily divided into three chapters: the air-cooled VWs, the water-cooled VWs, and now, the electric VWs. To understand why the ID.Buzz is so important, Cammisa looks back through these three distinct VW chapters to see how the presence of a high-emotion, style-first vehicle seems to be something without which Volkswagen can’t be successful in America.
The journey begins, of course, with the original Type 1 “Beetle” and the vehicles that shared its rear-engine platform—the Bus in its many variants, the lovely little Karmann Ghia coupe and convertible, the aptly named Squareback, the also-aptly named Thing, and even the Porsche 356. The Rabbit ushered in the new era of VW engine design, soon followed by the Mk1 GTI, the handy little Caddy pickup and the perky Cabriolet. Who could forget the Giugiaro-designed Scirocco and the ever-practical Jetta, plus the car that introduced a whole new generation to the marque and its history: the New Beetle. Which brings us to today and VW’s current lineup of electrics built on the MEB platform, including the ID.4, the only one currently sold in America. For now.
As always, Cammisa is joined by SCCA Hall-of-Fame race car driver Randy Pobst—like you’ve never seen him before, man—and the flower-power comic relief is spot on. And in what may just be the ultimate Ultimate Drag Race Replay, Cammisa has assembled the unlikeliest collection of vehicles to see just how quick the new Buzz is. Or is it so true to the original that it, too, is slow as molasses?
There’s only one way to find out . . .
No. A $70k EV van is not going to fix what is wrong.
VW always used to have cheaper cars. They really lack that now. This as a $35k well optioned gas van would do well.
EV still needs work and a Lower price.
The Equinox EV is priced to compete. VW needs to target that.
There is just too few buyers at this price and too many better options at this price.
Can you take the electric motor out with four bolts while it is leaking oil out the split crankcase like a–REAL-VW? While reading the ‘VW for Idiots’ book (a great resourse)?
Which also includes breathing oil rich air from the heat exchangers…ah how I remember 1983 rebuild with our 72 Camper on the gravel driveway in CO after blowing it up in the Eisenhower tunnel.. Loved it but was lots of slow fun that doesn’t cut it on today’s roads. A great experience best done once. I can’t see how the EV version can recreate any VW van sentiments. It’s like the new Beetle (ugh) but worse due to big price. Gas engine and MUCH lower price could redeem it.
A $60k EV that has short range and no tax incentives is going to make this a tough sell
I like how VW brought out a new, fresh, retro throwback to make their EV lineup more appealing however they’ll need to do more if they want the ID Buzz to do well in North America
I’m hoping that Scout Motors will become successful with their launch this coming Thursday it’s a make or break for everyone here
You know they’re hurting if they try the incredibly tired Schick of using 1960s hippy music to sell the thing.
The idiots who drove vans in the Woodstock era are dead from drugs or too busy listening to NPR to buy one.