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Enlarge / The Buzz is an electrical interpretation of the basic T2 from 1950. Volkswagen
Excellent news, everybody—it is nearly Volkswagen ID Buzz time. The electrical minivan cherished even by individuals who hate automobiles went into manufacturing in Europe final 12 months, however solely the short-wheelbase, five-seat model. Ars spent a while driving one in Denmark, the place we found it to be fairly charming however wanted just a few tweaks for its voyage to America. At the moment, VW has lastly unveiled the ID Buzz that may go on sale right here subsequent 12 months. The wheelbase is longer, and there is that necessary third row of seats. But it surely additionally has a much bigger battery and a bit extra energy than the Euro-spec Buzz.
The Buzz’s structure stays unchanged. There is a battery pack between the axles, however these axles are about 10 inches farther aside, and the pack now has a gross capability of 91 kWh, a rise of 8 kWh in comparison with the two-row Buzz.
Enlarge / You do not have to get your Buzz in two-tone paint, however it helps.Volkswagen
The Buzz might be specified both with a single-motor, rear-wheel drive powertrain or with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup. There is a new, bigger rear motor than the unit we have seen in different VW BEVs that use the identical modular platform (known as MEB). It is nonetheless a everlasting magnet synchronous motor, however it generates 282 hp (210 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm). The full energy output for the AWD Buzz is 330 hp (246 kW).
That ought to make for a zippier Buzz than the one we examined final summer time, even accounting for the added mass. Certainly, it has a barely increased prime velocity now—99 mph (159 km/h) versus 90 mph (145 km/h). You will not wish to spend a lot time going that quick until you want charging, however VW hasn’t but advised us the estimated vary of this variant, nor how lengthy it takes to cost. We do know that it has a drag coefficient of 0.29.
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Enlarge / Is the ID Buzz the primary electrical minivan?Volkswagen
In most regards, the three-row Buzz is very like the two-row. The sprint nonetheless incorporates a wooden look, plus loads of storage pockets and USB-C charging ports, and the commanding view out the entrance should be unchanged. Step in by way of the facet doorways and issues are a bit totally different, nevertheless, as there at the moment are two rows of seats again there. They don’t seem to be detachable, however the seats slide fore and aft and fold flat to create a stage cargo space.
One huge criticism I had with the two-door Buzz was the dearth of any air flow within the rear, an issue exacerbated by the truth that its home windows had been fastened. Effectively, somebody was listening as a result of flicking by way of the photographs that VW despatched over exhibits there at the moment are vents and local weather controls embedded within the roof lining. And there are sliding home windows within the doorways now, too.
The 12.9-inch infotainment system is totally different from the one we skilled in Europe in 2022. Most individuals will simply use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Volkswagen
Air vents and sliding rear home windows are new for the three-row. The glass roof has a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer to dam daylight.
Volkswagen
The center row can transfer as much as 7.9 inches.
Volkswagen
Here is the third row.
Volkswagen
The ID Buzz cargo space with the third row of seats in use just isn’t huge, however that is frequent to nearly all three rows, be they SUV or minivan.
Volkswagen
Easter eggs abound.
Volkswagen
In 2024 VW can have two new EVs to promote alongside the ID.4 crossover.
Volkswagen
The infotainment system is new, too—regardless of trying so much just like the one I’ve performed with, VW says it is the identical upgraded system that is going within the ID.7 sedan, which additionally goes on sale right here in 2024.
An important unanswered query we now have is: “How a lot will the ID Buzz price?” However automobile makers have a tendency to not give out that sort of data till just a few weeks earlier than they put a mannequin on sale, so for now, we wait.
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