The Volkswagen Microbus is an automotive legend with over seventy years of rich history. Easily one of the most recognizable vehicles and one of the longest-running production vehicles that have left a lasting impression. Officially known as the Volkswagen Type 2, the Microbus earned many nicknames from fans and grew quite popular with hippies of the 60s and an icon of the counterculture movement. Even today, they are still the trusted steeds for free-thinkers across the globe.
In recent times, we have witnessed conversion specialists like EV West electrify the legendary Volkswagen Bus in an attempt to give it a new lifeline. But now, Volkswagen has committed to releasing a modern replacement for the revered Microbus with the all-new VW ID. Buzz. It is an all-electric vehicle with the classic styling cues from the original Combi. Here's what we know so far about the incoming Volkswagen ID. Buzz that has fans eagerly waiting for the reincarnation of the beloved Volkswagen Microbus of the 60s.
10 Far From A Throwback To The Original VW Microbus
The new ID Buzz is far from a throwback to the original underpowered van that inspired so much love, embraced by surfers, hippies, campers, and anyone with an appreciation for adventure in the simplest and most efficient form. The new van is far from simple, featuring an all-electric, zero-emission powertrain that makes almost ten times the power from the original van. The Buzz has styling cues from the earliest microbus design, but with a sloping front for improved aerodynamics and safety.
Most likely, Volkswagen isn't targeting the original hippie fan base. The Buzz is more of a nicely spiced-up family van, joining the Volkswagen ID. series family and offering the best advancements in technology.
9 Performance And Range Figures
The first-generation Microbus started with an air-cooled 1.1-liter boxer-four engine making just 24hp. This new Buzz features Volkswagen's MEB platform and borrows the ID. 4 electric motor, which is good for 201hp and 228lb-ft of torque and sends all power to the rear wheels. The all-wheel version will feature a motor on each axle, making 295hp and 339lb-ft of torque combined. The top speed will be limited to 90mph.
The ID. Buzz will launch with a standard 12-module, 77kWh battery pack; this will be good for about 200 to 250 miles of real-world range. An optional and larger 111kWh battery will give an estimated range close to 350 miles.
8 High Level OF Autonomy
While we are yet to have fully autonomous cars on public roads, plans are underway at Volkswagen to produce the first fully self-driving vehicle. The Society of Automotive Engineers has set six levels of autonomy, from zero to five. Today, most cars are in level 1 and level 2, with very few in level 3. The VW ID. Buzz will come with level 4 autonomy and will feature the most complex software system the market has seen so far,
The ID. Buzz will feature LiDAR technology plus a worldwide active neural network. It will be able to drive itself around independently, with limited interventions from the driver.
7 Interior And Tech Features
The Buzz shares more than a powertrain with Volkswagen's best-selling electric SUV, the ID.4. Both interiors look similar, featuring an airy and light cabin with an Open Space lounge-like approach. The cabin is clean and minimalist, but with a very modern and high-class feel for a van.
The steering wheel features touch-sensitive controls, with an extra control panel for light and vision function placed on the driver's left. A 12-inch floating touchscreen in the middle of the dash provides access to the Discover Pro infotainment system. Sadly, the ID. Buzz lacks a head-up display.
6 Exterior Design
Park them side by side, and the Buzz is unmistakably a futuristic interpretation of the classic Microbus. But the designers have kept retro looks minimal to help give the new van its own identity. A subtle blend of curvy but less rounded and sharp elements gives it a more aggressive and powerful appearance without losing its older sibling's friendly and emotional character.
The Buzz retains the signature V-shaped hood, with the addition of a honeycomb design in the front bumper and compelling headlights featuring the IQ. Light LED matrix tech, which then extends into the fenders.
5 Bi-Directional Charging
Intelligent Bi-directional charging is one of the new features coming with the ID. Buzz. The feature will enable the car to function as a home battery by looping back the power in the battery to power other domestic appliances. It is the first time this benefit is appearing in a European EV.
Customers will also be able to charge other EVs and be able to make money sending power to the grid at some point. The Bidirectional charging feature will come in handy during camping trips where you can power lights, cooking appliances, entertainment, and other external equipment from the van's batteries.
4 Trim Levels
There will be five, probably rising to six, versions of the ID. Buzz. Perhaps Volkswagen has bigger plans for the Buzz, and all signs point to creating a sub-brand, similar to their Golf lineup. The Buzz will come in the Pro, Pure, Cargo, Long-Wheelbase, and California versions, with a mild possibility of a Buzz GTX coming in the future.
The Pure is the entry-level Buzz featuring a 58kWh battery, while the Pro will come with the bigger 77kWh battery with seating for five and 1,100 liters of trunk space. The Cargo will be an electric panel van with the potential of being a favorite city delivery workhorse. The Long-Wheelbase will come with increased interior room and more seats with the ability to rotate, swivel, and slide into multiple arrangements. Finally, the California trim will be the go-to Buzz for camping enthusiasts.
3 Release Schedule And Pricing
Volkswagen says that sales will start in May for the UK market, with deliveries scheduled for October 2022. Americans will have to wait a little longer, with delivery for the North American variant of the Buzz planned for 2023. But the much-anticipated and possibly fan-favorite California version won't arrive until 2025, thanks to the continued successes of the current diesel-powered California camper van.
Volkswagen hasn't confirmed matters prices, but the passenger ID. Buzz is estimated to go for about $52,640, with the Cargo trim starting at around $65,800.
2 The Buzz Near-Future Tech
Besides having a higher level of autonomy than vehicles in the current market, the Buzz offers much promise for the future. For example, car-to-X communication is a groundbreaking technology that will enable the Buzz to download data from nearby Volkswagen cars in the cloud and learn of missing road markings or traffic nearby.
Also, the ID. Buzz will feature an automated self-parking feature that remembers the previously saved routes and tricky maneuvers like parking in a narrow driveway. You will do it once, and the Buzz will record your inputs and then repeat it hands-free the next time.
1 VW Buzz Easter Eggs
There are plenty of clever Easter eggs in major cars that only enthusiasts will notice. Top manufacturers like Ford, Chrysler, Tesla, and others have developed a knack for adding these cheekily hidden Easter eggs that fans are more than happy to hunt down. Volkswagen has previously incorporated some appealing ones in the Golf and Passat, and now the Buzz will feature a few to go with the emotional nature of the van.
They include a honeycomb pattern on the floor on the second-row seats, a body-colored motif in the cargo area, and a funky wink emoji. A couple of silhouettes of the ID. Buzz can be spotted on the plastic panels next to the second-row outboard, the rear drawer, and the back glass.