Personally, until I can see and review the ID.Buzz bus from VW, I won’t believe it is actually true. It feels like they’ve been teasing us since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Still, VW is releasing details of this iconic vehicle, so maybe just maybe it might actually happen in my lifetime.
- Jerry Reynolds, The Car Pro
Volkswagen is sharing new details about the upcoming ID.Buzz lineup due out sometime this year. Here in the U.S., the all-electric retro-styled microbus will be offered in three grades with both rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations available. As for when it will actually hit the road, VW's ID. Buzz dedicated ID.Buzz website says it "will arrive at dealers in 2024." Range and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
ID. Buzz
Trims
The ID. Buzz will be offered stateside in three trims—Pro S and Pro S Plus, along with a launch-only 1st Edition—with a 91 kWh battery and 282 horsepower for rear-wheel drive models; 4Motion all-wheel-drive models will have maximum horsepower of 335.
Exterior
All models feature an oversized VW logo, short overhangs and expansive greenhouse. Models all ride on 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Dual power-sliding rear doors with available Easy Open and Close provide access to the third row and have modern take on the classic sliding windows, which are now also fully powered. Three-door KESSY advance keyless access with proximity unlocking and a power tailgate with available Easy Open/Close allows easy access for passengers and their belongings.
Color options depend on trim level. Two-tone options will either pair a Candy White top with Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, Blue Charcoal, Mahi Green, Metro Silver, Cabana Blue or Indium Grey below; or a Metro Silver top with Cherry Red below. Three single-tone options will be offered as well: Metro Silver, Candy White, and Deep Black Pearl.
Interior
The microbus will offer three different "color worlds" unique to North American models:
- Moonlight, a moody dark interior, includes dark brown leatherette seats with white piping, blue door inserts and a dark wood-look dash, paired with black headliner.
- Dune, a bright, airy, coastal-inspired interior, pairs light grey leatherette seats with clay-colored piping, clay door inserts, and a light wood-look dash.
- Copper, the final combination, gives mid-century modern vibes with rich brown leatherette seats with yellow piping, brown door inserts, and a washed wood-look dash.
The interiors will complement the exterior colors.
Cabin Tech
Standard technology in the tailored cabin includes a 12.9-inch infotainment display, 5.3-inch ID. Cockpit digital instrument cluster, 30-color ambient lighting, ID. Light driver support system, wireless phone charging and wireless App-Connect.
Safety
Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE advanced driver assistance technology is also standard, and features hands-on semi-automated capability, including driver-initiated lane changes where the vehicle can complete a lane change maneuver with Travel Assist activated. All ID. Buzz models also feature Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking.
Passenger Configurations
The ID. Buzz seats either six or seven passengers. Pro S models are rear-wheel drive only and feature a bench seat to accommodate up to seven passengers. Pro S Plus and 1st Edition models offer both RWD- and 4Motion AWD configurations. On Pro S Plus RWD models, bench seating is standard, with an available captain’s chair package with seating for six. RWD 1st Edition models only offer a rear bench. On both Pro S Plus and 1st Edition 4Motion models, captain’s chairs come standard.
Top Pro S Plus Trim
Top-of-the-line Pro S Plus models are loaded with goodies that include a head-up display and a camera Area View. A 700-watt Harman/Kardon sound system boasting nine speakers. An available Flexboard, with two fabric storage bins, creates a flat floor when the seats are folded. A manually-retractable tow hitch adds functionality and is completely hidden behind the rear bumper when retracted—tow ratings and full specifications will be available closer to launch. There is also an avaialable electrochromic panoramic glass roof that can change from transparent to opaque with the swipe of a finger.
Launch-Only 1st Edition
The launch-only 1st Edition is based on the Pro S trim. Available only with two-tone exterior, it adds unique 20-inch wheels, roof rail cross bars, and 1st Edition badging outside. Inside, all 1st Edition models are equipped with the coastal-inspired interior, heritage-inspired floor mats, and exclusive 1st Edition owner’s gifts. The 1st Edition adds the electrochromic panoramic glass roof, Area View, 700-watt Harman/Kardon sound system, Flexboard, and easy/open sliding doors & tailgate.
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Photo Credit: VW.