Volkswagen has been highlighted in the electric vehicle (EV) market lately with a bold strategy and plans to launch more than twenty-three new EV models in the United States before the end of 2030. They are also seeking to hold fifty-five percent of U.S. EV sales by then and the introduction of the ID.Buzz Microbus coming to the U.S. in 2024 will help them on that path.
With sales of Volkswagen EVs up and their ID line (which debuted in 2020) gaining increased traction, the company is well on its way to making those EV goals a reality. The popularity of the ID.4, which has been a top seller as well as receiving plentiful awards, Volkswagen’s EV dreams have been bolstered, allowing it to expand its lineup further.
The newest edition to the EV line from the brand is coming in 2024 and hits on a mostly untapped market segment. The ID.Buzz Microbus harkens back to the iconic Type 2 Microbus and is definitely something to look forward to with its unique styling (including a smile!), updated technology, and VW’s trademark innovative approach to EVs.
Let’s take a closer look at why we’re looking forward to the 2024 VW ID.Buzz Microbus!
Specifications Of The 2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Microbus
Volkswagen’s new Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform has been the base of many of the EVs that the maker has introduced in recent years, including their wildly popular ID.4 SUV as well as models from associated and partnered makers such as Audi (e-tron), the Cupra Born, and more. The same platform underpins the ID.Buzz.
Although Europe has gotten two iterations of the van (a commercial use version and a passenger version), the United States will see only the long-wheelbase passenger iteration. In this model, the ID.Buzz has a single electric motor mounted in the rear which is capable of up to 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft. of torque.
Eventually, though, it is highly likely that a dual motor iteration similar to the current ID.4 model offered will come out for the ID.Buzz and will increase the specifications to all-wheel drive and approximately 295 horsepower. The current battery pack coupled with the single motor version in Europe is the same 77 kWh battery packs found in the ID.4, however, Volkswagen has said that the stateside version will be larger.
The range for the European version is currently 263 miles per charge. With the larger battery pack anticipated in the U.S. offering, it will likely be capable of reaching a bit further than that. With fast charging capabilities, the ID.Buzz can go from 5 percent up to 80 percent charged in just thirty minutes.
Technology, Style, And Innovation Of The 2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Microbus
Some of the things that we are looking forward to the most in the Microbus are the technology, style, and innovation. The infotainment system in the van comes standard at 10 inches, but it can be upgraded to a 12-inch screen, while the instrument cluster is a digitized 10-inch screen as well. Based on Volkswagen’s other offerings, the ID.Buzz will likely have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as well as a rear entertainment system and optional Wi-Fi hotspot.
As with all of Volkswagen’s offerings, the ID.Buzz will boast a ton of safety features and driver assistance including self-park assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, and more. More details and safety test ratings will likely be available later this year when the new model gets closer to production.
A super appealing (in fact, possibly the most appealing) aspect of the VW ID.Buzz is the style and design. With a classic Volkswagen design that harkens back to its roots in the '60s and '70s original, the ID.Buzz has a lot of vintage cues to love without sacrificing the modern touches. The design kept the oversized VW logo and two-tone paint, but updated the design with an LED lightbar, diamond-patterned grille, and angled headlights.
The two-tone paint scheme along with the lines on the front end create the unique effect of making the van look like it is smiling (the “face” of the van can be seen with the headlights as “eyes” and the VW logo as a “nose”). With a boxy body and personified face, the new van does a great job of projecting the happy and carefree attitude that its predecessor was known for as it helped to share postwar America and develop the “hippie” movement.
With “van life” continuously trending, the move by Volkswagen to not only bring back, but modernize the microbus comes at a great time for the company. The interior is spacious and comfortable while featuring animal-free upholstery and recycled plastic that keeps in-line with the “hippie-chic” vibe. The interior features faux wood paired with colored plastic trims that match the exterior of the van.
Storage is plentiful with a large cubby space in front of the passenger seat in the front alongside more storage in the doors (and a USB-C outlet in the passenger side). A removable center console is positioned between the two front seats and has dividers that do multiple duties as an ice scraper, bottle opener, cup holder, and storage drawer.
The American model is a seven-seater and will include, according to Volkswagen, a tiered storage shelf to allow for a flat load floor when the rear seats are folded as well as covered storage beneath that shelf.
With throw-back styling alongside updated technological touches, there is a lot to love about the upcoming Volkswagen microbus. Anticipated to arrive to the United States sometime in 2023, the ID.Buzz is one that we imagine a lot of nostalgic fans cannot wait for. We know that we are surely looking forward to the 2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz, and can’t wait to see its smiling face for ourselves.