Volkswagen has just released a new VW bus in North America. The ID. Buzz’s world premiere took place on June 2nd at surfer hot spot Huntington Beach, on the Pacific Coast Highway near Los Angeles. The vehicle was revealed as part of the largest VW Bus festival in the USA as a tribute to the fans and the country. America is welcoming the ID. Buzz with “Volkswagen Bus Day”, a bus tour from New York to San Francisco, which will then continue in Germany with the European debut of the long ID. Buzz at the international VW Bus Festival in Hanover, from June 23 to 25.
With the T4 generation, the VW bus left the USA and Canada 20 years ago. The T1, T2, and T3 rear-engine generations are still a familiar sight at beach parking lots in California, Florida, and Long Island in 2023. Volkswagen is now closing the circle again with the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and is bringing the VW bus back to North America, but this time with an electric rear-wheel drive.
“Volkswagen is an extremely strong global brand with a great history, millions of loyal fans and legendary products,” Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG said. “This is clearly evident here at the largest VW Bus festival in the USA. I am delighted that the team at Volkswagen Group of America is celebrating the premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase here.”
We are taking a big step towards becoming a true love brand again.
Thomas Schäfer, Board Member Volkswagen AG
With a length of 4,962 mm and up to seven seats, the large ID. Buzz is perfectly primed for its launch in North America. At the same time, it is also expanding its range of possible applications in Europe. The extra length due to the increase in the wheelbase by 250 mm creates room for a third row of seats, providing up to 2,469 liters of storage space, and for a new, larger 85 kWh battery (net capacity), giving even more range.
The new heat pump increases efficiency in winter. The large ID. Buzz will also be available with a new 210 kW (286 hp) electric drive motor. This electric drive motor increases the maximum speed to the electronic limit of 160 km/h (European ID. Buzz with 150 kW: 145 km/h). The large ID. Buzz can reach a speed of 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds.
“The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys real cult status,” Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America said. “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.”
An all-wheel drive version (GTX) with an output of 250 kW (339 hp) has been announced for 2024. The ID. Buzz GTX will be able to complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds, making it perfect for rapidly merging with traffic on the highway.
Other new features of the large electric VW Bus include a head-up display, an upgraded next-generation infotainment system, and remote parking via smartphone. Meanwhile, a newly designed high-tech panoramic sunroof with smart glass brings back memories of the legendary Samba Bus of the 50s.At 1.5 square meters, it is the largest glass roof ever built by Volkswagen. The smart glass can be changed from transparent to opaque and vice versa using the touch slider or voice assistant. The North American versions will also feature air-conditioned seats and an illuminated Volkswagen logo on the front.
Delivery of the first ID. Buzz vehicles in America will start in 2024. Almost parallel to the market launch in North America, the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase will also be available in Europe. Like the Multivan and the Bulli T6.1, all ID. Buzz vehicles will be produced at the main plant of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. This is one of the most state-of-the-art automotive plants in the world and the home of the VW Bus family.
“The DNA of this symbol of freedom lives on in our ID. Buzz,” Lars Krause, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said. “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.”
