Volkswagen has shown off the long-wheelbase version of its all-electric ID. Buzz electric van and MPV. The bigger Buzz will get the option of six- or seven-seat layouts, and will be available with a bigger battery for an improved range.
European launch in Hanover
Not only that, but the ID. Buzz will also now get a high-performance GTX variant, which will have as much as 339hp. This updated Buzz is initially being shown off in the US and Canada, as the lonw-wheelbase variant will mark the first availability of the Buzz in those markets. It will get its European debut at the VW Bus Festival in Hanover from June 23rd to 25th.
In fact, the US debut will take place at surfer hotspot Huntington Beach on the Pacific Coast Highway near Los Angeles - underlining the Buzz's retro-sixties surfer van styling, inspired as it is by the classic VW Type 2 Transporter. Indeed, today (June 2) will be recognised, semi-officially, as Volkswagen Bus Day in the USA. Don't expect any time off work for this one though...
The longer Buzz now stretches to 4,962mm overall, and there's 250mm extra length in the wheelbase. That allows space for a third row of seats, which can be had in either a family-friendly seven-seat layout, or a more luxurious six-seat setup. The extra length in the wheelbase also means that VW can fit its new 85kWh battery, shared with the ID.7 saloon. The regular 77kWh battery from the short-wheelbase Buzz will also be available.
How much range?
Volkswagen has not confirmed the range yet, but extrapolating from the ID.7's 700km range with the big 85kWh battery, it should mean that the bigger Buzz might be able to manage in the region to 500-550km on a full charge.
To help with the range, there's a standard heat-pump heating system, and both batteries can be charged at a maximum DC charging speed of 200kW, with an 11kW AC charging rate. The long-wheelbase Buzz also gets the new 286hp rear-mounted electric motor, allowing it to accelerate to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Not enough for you? Well, Volkswagen is planning a two-motor, all-wheel-drive GTX model for the Buzz, which will have 339hp and will be able to sprint to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
Inside, VW is touting the long-wheelbase Buzz's new 1.5-square-metre optional glass roof as the largest it's ever made, and saying that it's a throwback to the multi-pane glass roof of the classic Type 2 'Samba' bus models. Unlike the sixties Samba, this roof gets photochromic tech so that you can have it set to clear or opaque at the touch of a button.
Upgraded infotainment
You'll also find that the upgraded Buzz now comes with an optional head-up display for the first time, and there's an improved infotainment system, too. This gets a larger 12-inch screen in the centre of the dash, and while it retains the 'slider' controls for cabin temperature and stereo volume, these are illuminated so that you can see them at night. There's also now the option of remote-control parking for the Buzz, using your mobile phone.
It will certainly be a hugely practical car. In five-seat mode, the long-wheelbase Buzz has 1,340 litres of luggage space up to the cargo cover. Fold down all the seats and you'll have 2,469 litres with which to play, and even with all seven seats in use, there's a useable 306 litres. There will, of course, be a commercial van 'Cargo' variant to fully exploit that extra load space.
Thomas Schäfer - head of the VW brand, and a man whose home address is actually in Wicklow - said: "Volkswagen is an extremely strong global brand with a great history, millions of loyal fans and legendary products. This is clearly evident here at the largest VW Bus festival in the USA. I am therefore delighted that the team at Volkswagen Group of America is celebrating the premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase here. With this model, we are taking a big step towards becoming a true love brand again."
Lars Krause, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, also says that the ID. Buzz is the comeback of a certain automotive feeling for life: "In the USA, Canada, and Europe, the VW bus has embodied a unique attitude on life for decades. The picture of the legendary T1 Lightbus in Woodstock is unforgettable. The DNA of this symbol of freedom lives on in our ID. Buzz. It is of utmost importance to us that we can now offer the people of North America a modern, all-electric new edition with the ID. Buzz in an iconic design."