The Volkswagen ID. Buzz — a battery electrical model of the enduring and far beloved VW Microbus — has been within the works since George W. Bush was in workplace. Or was it George H.W. Bush? Anyway, it has been a very long time coming. Rumors, hypothesis, and guesses in regards to the ID. Buzz have been coming thick and quick in the previous few weeks, upfront of the official North American reveal on June 2.

In contrast to our opponents, who’ve been shamelessly milking the story for all its price upfront of the official announcement, we (effectively, most of us) determined to maintain our powder dry and anticipate precise information earlier than overlaying this story. Now June 2 is lastly right here and the official press launch is out, so let’s get to it.

All About The LWB Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen ID. Buzz, courtesy of Volkswagen

The lengthy wheelbase Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the one model that shall be provided to clients in North America. It’s 4,962 mm lengthy and has a wheelbase 250 mm longer than the usual car. Because of its bigger footprint, the LWB ID. Buzz has an inside quantity of two,469 liters (87 cubic ft), which is giant sufficient for seven seats (a 6-seat model shall be provided) with loads of room additionally for the stuff folks take alongside after they go locations.

The additional room additionally permits for an 85 kWh battery — the most important fitted to any MEB-based car. The LWB ID. Buzz can have a single electrical motor driving the rear wheels, however that’s not the tip of the story. Lately, the corporate introduced a new motor and drive system referred to as APP 550 that’s extra compact and extra environment friendly however presents extra horsepower and torque.

Karsten Bennewitz, head of powertrain and vitality programs at Volkswagen, stated in a firm press launch, “As a result of the obtainable area has not modified, we had been compelled to develop a brand new drive that achieves vital enhancements in efficiency and effectivity regardless of being topic to the identical constraints. That was an excellent problem for the crew of Technical Improvement and Group Parts. The outcome reveals that we had been capable of cut back the usage of uncooked supplies whereas on the identical time reaching a substantial improve in car effectivity.”

Volkswagen MEB drive APP550, courtesy of Volkswagen

The APP 550 powertrain additionally has extra torque — as much as 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) relying on the car’s gear ratio. The considerably increased torque supplies superior energy each from a standstill and at increased speeds, due to an enhanced stator with the next efficient variety of windings and a bigger wire cross part. The rotor is supplied with extra highly effective everlasting magnets that give it the next load capability. The drive was additionally bolstered to resist the higher torque. The extra highly effective 210 kW (286 hp) APP 550 powertrain shall be an obtainable possibility on the LWB ID. Buzz. With it, the highest velocity is elevated to 160 km/h (100 mph).

However that’s not all. Volkswagen additionally says it has developed a brand new pulse inverter that’s 20% extra environment friendly, which not solely permits for extra highly effective motors but additionally will increase vary. Everyone knows that effectivity is of paramount concern to EV producers and drivers. The LWB ID. Buzz may even include a warmth pump for cabin heating and cooling — one other enchancment that can enable the autos to journey additional on a single cost.

Coming quickly is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive GTX model of the ID. Buzz with an output of 250 kW (339 hp) — sufficient to propel it to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, down from 7.9 seconds for the single-motor model.

Word: There was a time when most vehicles may speed up to 60 mph in about 10 seconds. That was acceptable efficiency for a every day driver. Now, 7.9 seconds just isn’t precisely sluggish, however it’s not all that quick for an electrical automobile with a boatload of torque obtainable off the road. For comparability functions, the Tesla Mannequin Y LR zips to 60 in 4.4 seconds. Now that will get folks’s consideration!

Options & Advantages

Volkswagen ID. Buzz entrance sprint, courtesy of Volkswagen

Fortunately, the Volkswagen press launch is missing the glowing praises different producers like to make use of. There is no such thing as a reference to how the motive force’s door deal with is impressed by a tree that after grew on the summit of Mount Fuji or how the material for the upholstery makes use of yarn harvested from the socks of Mediterranean fishermen.

Volkswagen is fairly satisfied about its 1.5-square-meter panoramic sunroof — the most important ever in any of its autos. The roof makes use of sensible glass that may change from clear to opaque utilizing a contact slider or an oral command to the voice assistant. There’s additionally a head-up show in entrance of the motive force, an upgraded next-generation infotainment system, and distant parking through a smartphone app. The North American variations of the ID. Buzz may even function air conditioned seats and an illuminated Volkswagen emblem on the entrance. Woo hoo!

Thomas Schäfer, a Volkswagen board member, stated: “Volkswagen is a particularly robust world model with an excellent historical past, hundreds of thousands of loyal followers and legendary merchandise. That is clearly evident right here on the largest VW Bus pageant within the USA. I’m subsequently delighted that the crew at Volkswagen Group of America is celebrating the premiere of the ID. Buzz with lengthy wheelbase right here. With this mannequin, we’re taking a giant step in the direction of turning into a real love model once more.”

Volkswagen ID. Buzz, courtesy of Volkswagen

Pablo Di Si, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, underlined the significance of the electrical VW bus for the US market. “The ID. Buzz and the USA — it’s an ideal match! The VW bus has an extended historical past within the USA and enjoys actual cult standing. Our intention at the moment is to additional strengthen the Volkswagen model in America. The ID. Buzz with lengthy wheelbase is precisely the appropriate mannequin to satisfy this activity.”

Supply of the primary ID. Buzz autos in America will begin in 2024, with deliveries starting in Europe shortly thereafter. Just like the Multivan and the Bulli T6.1, all ID. Buzz autos shall be produced on the major plant of Volkswagen Industrial Automobiles in Hanover, Germany.

The Takeaway

Volkswagen ID. Buzz cargo area, courtesy of Volkswagen

You’ll discover the Volkswagen press launch ignored just a few essential issues, particularly the worth and EPA vary. These will in all probability be forthcoming in the end. However sitting across the mahjongg desk in CleanTechnica’s meditation backyard (the oleander is particularly aromatic this 12 months), we had just a few questions.

First, if the LWB ID. Buzz is manufactured in Germany, how will it compete with different 3-row electrical autos just like the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 which can be assembled in America or Mexico and eligible for some or the entire US tax incentives? Second, from what we all know to date, the brand new MEB primarily based car from Volkswagen just isn’t precisely cheap, particularly in comparison with the Tesla Mannequin Y.

We love the ID. Buzz. We actually do. However we surprise how a lot the attract of the microbus that was the darling of the good unwashed throughout the ’60s is de facto price. Most Individuals alive at the moment had been born after Woodstock. In at the moment’s political local weather, free love and many grass is probably not the vibe most individuals are looking for in a car.

Volkswagen says curiosity within the ID. Buzz is awfully excessive, and but if the asking worth is $10,000 or extra increased than a Tesla with higher efficiency, we have now to surprise how a lot of that curiosity will translate into precise gross sales. Moreover, you will get a mattress to your Mannequin Y and use camp mode to maintain you cozy throughout the evening.

Clearly, Volkswagen is ready to see what occurs with the ID. Buzz earlier than considering of constructing it in America, however until it’s manufactured in North America, it might languish on supplier heaps. There are solely so many individuals who will need to strap some surfboards on prime and go shoot the curl at San Onofre or La Jolla whereas the Seashore Boys serenade them by their ear buds.

What we’re saying is the LWB ID. Buzz is a throwback to one of the crucial iconic autos of all time in America. It was a cult image and far beloved, even when its ahead progress was measured in furlongs per fortnight. Will this new mannequin seize lightning in a bottle for a second time? “We’ll see,” stated the Zen Grasp.

You possibly can watch the official reveal of the LWB ID. Buzz destined for America subsequent 12 months within the video under.