When you think of a performance-oriented GTX or GTI model, a van is not what immediately comes to mind. Not if you are Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles! With a unique take on the category, the VW ID. Buzz GTX promises offers plenty of features and some extra excitement.
Confirmation
Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family, Volkswagen Group, confirmed on June 15, 2022, that a VW ID. Buzz GTX is in the pipeline. Below is what she said:
We will continuously expand this brand and offer a GTX variant for every ID. model in future – from the ID.3 to the ID. Buzz.
Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family, Volkswagen Group, on June 15, 2022, via Volkswagen Newsroom.
Design
The VW ID. Buzz GTX (rendered) will have changes that underscore its sporty character. The recipe will also include new lights, bumpers and wheels.
We’ve rendered the sporty variant of the ID. Buzz in a metallic red/gloss black dual-tone color scheme. While this ID. Buzz GTX sits on grippy 20-inch wheels, we do expect an option for larger, 21-inch wheels for customers who focus more on style than handling. Featuring a newly designed bumper and grille, additional vertically stacked daytime running lights in the form of honeycomb elements, red brake calipers, and a gloss black GTX logo, this van will turn heads!
Interior
The interior of the VW ID. Buzz GTX could be all-black, highlighted by red seams to accentuate its sportiness. An official teaser has revealed that the steering wheel clip features a GTX logo, which may appear on the backrests of the sports seats for the driver and passenger, and the front sill panel trims as well.
The VW ID. Buzz GTX has been confirmed to feature a distinctive steering wheel with GTX branding. Image Source: Volkswagen Group (PDF file)
Specifications
The VW ID. Buzz GTX should sport two motors, one each on the front and rear axles, producing a combined output of around 220 kW (295 hp) and a combined torque of 460 Nm (339 lb.-ft.). Progressive steering and a lowered suspension with adaptive chassis control (Dynamic Chassis Control or DCC) could be standard in the ID. Buzz GTX, which should make it more fun to drive than the standard electric van.
We feel that Volkswagen will repurpose the standard battery pack options (77 kWh unit or upcoming 111 kWh unit) for the GTX model. Charging from 5 to 80% level, thanks to a decent charging rate of 170 kW, should take just around 30 minutes.
Release Date
The VW ID. Buzz GTX could debut and go on sale in Europe in 2023. We don’t think there’s a plan to launch it in the U.S., where the standard VW ID. Buzz is due in 2024.
TopElectricSUV says
A proper go-fast van, and an all-electric one at that, makes little sense for most customers. While the VW ID. Buzz GTX won’t be designed to set the driver’s hearts racing like say the Ford Pro Electric SuperVan concept, it should still be fun to drive. The GTX will likely be more about sportier styling than handling or acceleration, with the AWD system adding practicality in harsh winter weather.
Shrawan Raja Founder & CEO
An automobile engineer by qualification, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005 and reviewed electric vehicles since 2008. In my 15 years in the online automotive publishing, I’ve edited around 35,000 articles.
Keyword: VW ID. Buzz GTX: A sporty minivan/MPV that tries something new