The latest debut of the new Volkswagen is an electric revival of the classic VW Microbus… again. Yes, the ID Buzz feature is back after a European premiere in 2022However, the new three-row Buzz is bigger, more powerful, and destined for American roads for the first time in over 20 years.
The ID Buzz’s three-row broad strokes are essentially unchanged from their European counterpart. The electric pickup still features a design inspired by Volkswagen’s iconic design Type 2 microbus, from the short nose and fascia to the long, flat roof and boxy silhouette. The huge three-row front Buzz logo now lights up, a new bit of flash for the first time in the United States.
3-Row ID Buzz Electric Microbus is bound for the US in 2024
Almost 10 inches longer
However, the Buzz that will make it to the states will be 9.9 inches longer than the two-row model, with all that extra length carried over to the 127.5-inch wheelbase. This means that even though Buzz’s footprint has grown quite a bit, she still has her short parts, which helps her look smaller than she is.
To give you a sense of scale, the three-row ID Buzz is about the same width (77.9 inches) Volkswagen Atlas three-row But, at 192.4 inches bumper-to-bumper, it’s about 8.3 inches shorter than the SUV. The Buzz Bus is also 74.6 inches long, or about 5 inches longer than the Atlas. (And for fans of the old microbus, the Big Buzz is about two feet longer than the Type 2.)
Almost all of the extra 10 inches of length went into the wheelbase.
Volkswagen
The increased volume gives way to more interior volume, especially in the second row, with absolutely luxurious legroom. The new Buzz seats seven with its standard sliding seat, but a six-passenger option with captain’s chairs will be available. Pushing the seat forward also provides space for full-size adults to fit reasonably comfortably in the new third row. And of course, both rows fold flat to create a tall cargo floor for bulky items.
Updated technology
The power sliding side doors now feature small square windows that open power and stay flat when closed. Above the passenger area is the largest glass roof ever fitted to a production VW vehicle (64.7 inches long by 40.8 inches wide), with an electric top that turns from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
Up front, a 12.9-inch version of VW’s new infotainment system sits in the center of the floating dashboard. Similar to the 15-inch unit that debuted in the ID 7 electric sedanThis setting now features illuminated volume and temperature sliders and a dedicated climate control strip along the bottom edge of the screen. The large screen is complemented by the 5.3-inch ID Cockpit digital instrument cluster directly in front of the steering wheel.
Volkswagen hasn’t released new volume or capacity numbers for the three-row Buzz—and I wasn’t allowed to break my measuring tape—but the company has assured me we’ll get more updates closer to launch.
Buzz will have a 12.9-inch version of VW’s latest infotainment suite.
Antoine Goodwin/CNET
Bigger battery, more power
Two of the biggest changes to the three-row ID Buzz are not visible visually. The longer wheelbase also makes room for a larger battery. The electric truck will arrive in the US powered by a 91kWh battery pack (instead of the European 82kWh unit).
We’ll also get a more powerful standard electric motor. Mounted in the rear of the vehicle—just like in the OG Microbus—the new performance drive unit now produces 282 horsepower, 81 more horsepower than its younger sibling, and 406 lb-ft of torque. The new motor features stronger permanent magnets, more coil windings and improved cooling. It also feeds power through a more powerful inverter. The extra juice allowed VW to bump the rev limiter to 99 mph, nine more than the two-row top speed of 90 mph. The three-row Buzz will also be available with two all-wheel drive, which Volkswagen currently estimates at around 330 horsepower.
The longest and strongest ID Buzz arrives in the US in 2024.
Volkswagen
Unfortunately, VW has been silent on range estimates, so some guesswork is required. The two-row with the smaller battery is currently estimated at 258 miles per charge, but that’s on the more generous WLTP cycle. The three rows feature a larger battery but will also be heavier and undergo the more rigorous EPA testing cycle. I would expect the official estimate to remain in the same ballpark of 260 to 270 miles.
We still don’t get the two-row ID Buzz here in the States, so the third row will be the only option for nostalgic fans of EV trucks when they hit North American roads in 2024. More details – range, capacity, price, etc. Announcements are expected in the coming months.
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