Global reveal of Volkswagen’s new seven-seat electric Kombi successor locked in for this weekend
The long-wheelbase seven-seat 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric people-mover will make its global debut this weekend, with Volkswagen locking in the event livestream for 2:35am AEST on Saturday morning (June 3).
The announcement was accompanied by a cryptic teaser of the seven-seat ‘Kombi’ EV, showing nothing more than its illuminated front lighting signature, which for reference is exactly the same as the five-seater’s.
VW has done a decent job of keeping its stretched ID. Buzz under wraps, but we managed to get an early unofficial look in February courtesy of our spy photographers in northern Finland, revealing few changes beyond the extended wheelbase.
Intel from brand executives and insiders has pointed to the LWB being roughly 250mm longer between the axles compared to the standard model, while the spy images revealed larger sliding rear doors.
“It will have three rows and seven seats, and you can pull them all out of the back,” Volkswagen R&D boss Kai Gruenitz told Autocar in January.
“It will also have captain chairs that turn around.”
The long-wheelbase VW ID. Buzz has also already been confirmed as the basis for a factory-built California camper, the first prototypes and show cars of which are currently being worked on.
Volkswagen Australia has previously indicated the seven-seater would be part of the local ID. Buzz portfolio due on sale here next year, but stopped short of confirming whether it will arrive alongside the standard five-seat version or announcing any other sort of specific timing.
Nevertheless, the three-row EV will feature the same 150kW single-motor powertrain as the five-seater but will also be available with the option of a bigger 111kWh battery (up from 77kWh), which should have a profound effect on the driving range.
A GTX version of the two-row ID. Buzz has also been revealed by VW, which said it would pack 250kW, but we’ll have to wait and see if the stretched model gets the same go-faster treatment.
Keyword: Long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID. Buzz to debut on June 3