The VW ID. Buzz is the fourth electric ‘ID’ model, and will go on sale this autumn
- Based on the VW ID. Buzz concept car
- Single motor 201bhp powertrain at launch
- On sale this autumn
The long-awaited Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been unveiled. The new electric MPV is an homage to the VW Type 2 of the 1950s, with retro-themed styling and a single-motor EV powertrain. The ID. Buzz will go on sale in autumn, when full pricing and specifications will be revealed.
When it lands in showrooms, the ID. Buzz will be available as a five-seat MPV or as a three-seat commercial Cargo model with a long-wheelbase model arriving by 2024. It’s the fourth fully electric model to be added to VW’s pure-electric ‘ID’ model range, joining the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4 SUV and new ID.5 coupe-SUV. Rivals will include the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Mercedes EQV, Peugeot e-Travellerand Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life.
Previously, Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter has exclaimed the new ID. Buzz will be the brand’s “most iconic, emotional and likeable model ever”, with the model forming a part of the car maker’s promise to offer at least 70% of its model line-up with an electric powertrain by 2030.
2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: design and styling
The design of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz looks largely similar to the concept cars that first appeared in 2017. It gets a boxy van-like shape, with a steeply angled nose and long roofline.
Look closely at the styling, and it’s clear the model borrows styling cues from the VW’s of old, mixed with elements of the brand’s current EV model range. At the front, it features a slim headlight design similar to the ID.3 and ID.4, and a full-width LED light bar sitting above the blanked-off front grille. Beneath this, the front bumper has hexagonal air intakes running the full width of the nose.
The car’s side profile starts with an upright front windscreen, with a pair of sliding side doors and large aerodynamic alloy wheels. Like the other VW ID. models, the charging port is located in the lower part of the rear quarter panel in the bumper. At the rear, there’s a full-width tailgate along with a slim LED tail light design and a full-width light bar. The two-tone paintwork seen here will be available as an option, with a white upper section that can be matched with a choice of contrasting colours including yellow, orange, blue or green.
Platform, powertrains and charging
Like all of the Volkswagen ID models, the ID. Buzz is based on the brand’s MEB platform, which has been designed specifically for pure-electric cars. It’s already used in several VW Group models, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq iV and VW ID.3 and ID.4.
At launch, the ID. Buzz will be available with a 201bhp single-electric motor set-up shared with the ID.3 and ID.4 and a 77kWh battery. VW has not confirmed ID. Buzz’s range yet, but we’d expect it to manage around 250 miles on a charge. Rapid charging will also feature, with speeds of up to 170kW. This means a 10-80% charge will take around half an hour, while a full recharge from a 11kW home wallbox will take around 13 hours.
Interior and technology
The inside of the ID.Buzz bears a strong resemblance to the other ID.-branded models, with a two-tier clean dashboard design. The upper half features high-mounted air vents and a wood contrasting trim piece sitting in a silver surround, while below sits a brightly coloured contrasting colour trim piece housing the centre air vents and a pair of storage cubbies. There’ll be a number of personalisation options available, and buyers will be able to specify a choice of two-tone interior colour schemes to match the exterior.
At launch, the ID. Buzz will only be available with five seats in a 2-3 configuration. Practical features include up to eight USB-C charging sockets dotted around the interior, and several storage options including what VW calls a ‘Buzz Box.’ This central storage bin is located between the front seats and features an upper drawer to store an ice scraper and a bottle opener, along with a larger five-litre drawer beneath for larger items.
The interior is trimmed in a mix of synthetic and recycled materials, including faux leather trim on the steering wheel along with fabric trimmed seats. The use of these materials is designed to make the production and delivery of the ID. Buzz completely carbon neutral.
There’s the usual array of ID. brand technology, too, with a 5.4-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dial cluster, along with a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted on top of the dashboard. In higher-spec models, a 12-inch central screen is fitted.
Practicality and dimensions
The ID. Buzz features fairly compact dimensions, measuring at 4.7m long with a wheelbase of 2.98m. This helps to maximise both passenger and luggage space, with a vast 1,121 litre boot in five-seat mode. It also gets a 60:40 folding split rear seat, which makes it easy to load longer items. Fold the rear seats and storage increases to 2,205 litres.
For buyers who want more seating, a long-wheelbase version of the ID. Buzz will arrive in 2024 with a choice of six- or seven-seat layouts.
Trim levels and specifications
While full specifications are yet to be confirmed, VW has revealed the ID. Buzz will be available in Pure and Pro trim levels, along with a number of optional packs.
Standard equipment will include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors and tinted rear windows. Buyers will also be able to specify 20- and 21-inch alloys as an option, along with upgraded I.Q.Light Matrix LED headlights and an LED tail light set-up with an animated lighting function.
Inside, the ID. Buzz gets a long list of standard equipment including climate control, keyless start, sat nav, a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multifunction steering wheel and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Safety
The new model gets all of VW’s latest safety technology, with front assist, which includes autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, lane assist, dynamic road sign display, emergency calling and a driver alertness monitor. It also features Car2x connectivity tech, which is capable of alerting the driver of heavy traffic or any hazards on a route.
Keyword: New 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz MPV breaks cover