At a world premiere going down at the moment in Huntington Seashore, California, Volkswagen is taking the wraps off the long-awaited manufacturing model of a brand new U.S.-spec microbus, formally referred to as the ID. Buzz.

This 3-row electrical minivan has been described as “the non secular reincarnation of the microbus, reimagined for our electrical future” by Volkswagen of America boss Pablo Di Si, who provides that it’s “sensible, sustainable, and packaged in an unmistakably enjoyable approach that’s traditional Volkswagen.”

Let the next 10 information convey us in control on the brand new 3-row ID. Buzz, which Mr. Di Si has described as a car that may “as soon as once more develop into our model hero in America.”

1. The U.S. model of the VW ID. Buzz is bigger than the 2-row ID. Buzz already on sale in Europe. However not by as a lot as you would possibly count on. It’s a 3-row car with a wheelbase and total size, each stretched by about 10 inches. Which means the America-bound ID. Buzz is bigger than the 2-row model however nonetheless 5.3 inches shorter than a 3-row Atlas SUV.
2. It seats as much as seven in its three rows. Whereas the usual ID. Buzz comes with 2-3-3 seating; you can also order it as a 6-seater with middle-row captain’s chairs.
3. The third row includes two particular person seats and is detachable. Whereas they could be a bit heavy for a small individual to take away, it creates an enormous quantity of cargo house within the again. Assume Chevy Suburban massive. The middle row, sadly, just isn’t detachable.
4. This ID. Buzz is out there with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
5. Each have good energy. The rear-driver has a single rear motor that produces 292 horsepower and a wholesome 406 lb-ft of torque. The AWD Buzz has entrance and rear motors with a mixed output of about 330 horsepower. What a novelty — a microbus that may get out of your approach on the freeway or perhaps even cross you going up a protracted grade!
6. Each fashions use the identical 91-kWh battery. Within the rear-drive ID. Buzz, it’s good for an anticipated vary of about 275 miles. With AWD, that will drop to about 250 miles.
7. Even the bottom ID. Buzz comes loaded with commonplace tools. Leatherette energy entrance seats with warmth and therapeutic massage are included, as are power-folding aspect mirrors, adaptive cruise management, and tri-zone automated local weather management. You additionally get wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto commonplace, a smartphone charging pad, and eight USB-C ports.
8. Value: When the U.S.-spec ID. Buzz arrives in the summertime of 2024 as a 2025 mannequin, we count on it to be priced at about $50,000, with the AWD mannequin beginning at perhaps $55,000. Beneath present guidelines, the Hanover, Germany-built ID. Buzz doesn’t qualify for a federal tax credit score.
9. Whereas there aren’t many choices for the ID. Buzz, there are some notables. These embody a head-up show and a panoramic glass roof that may change from clear to opaque with the swipe of your finger. You can also order a 360-degree overhead monitor and distant parking, which lets you remotely park the Buzz utilizing solely its key fob.
10. The two-row/5-seater is on sale in Europe now. VW has, in reality, already bought 35,000 of them. About half of them, says VW, are ID. Buzz Cargo Vans. Evidently, these work vans are fashionable with plumbers and the like as a result of they are often pushed into these European metropolis facilities that prohibit inner combustion automobiles. Would you want VW to convey a Cargo model of the ID. Buzz to the U.S.?