American buyers will get the ID.Buzz a year later than Europeans, although only as a passenger van and in higher-spec trims.
Volkswagen Group has been very active lately, developing a new all-electric platform and a full lineup of EVs. One of the brand’s most eagerly-awaited entries is the ID.Buzz, an all-electric remake of the Type 2 “hippie” van. VW now has confirmed that the van will arrive on US shores in 2023, after hitting the European market in 2022. The vehicle will be a 2024 model year, with deliveries beginning in mid-2023.
The European model will have many specifications and variants to choose from—however, the US-spec ID.Buzz won’t feature as many trims. Instead, VW would probably offer it as an upscale product with specifications to match.
According to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle division head Carson Intra, the European model will come with a short and long-wheelbase option in both passenger and commercial versions. Still, the US-market will only get the passenger vehicle with a long wheelbase. However, the company should still offer three battery size options. These would include 200 HP rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants and a 300+ HP AWD variant as the range-topper.
Volkswagen also works on a fully autonomous version, the first in its lineup. Although, it is unlikely that the fully-autonomous system will be available on the US-spec ID.Buzz. Volkswagen’s electric lineup comprises Europe- and Asia-only vehicles like the ID.3 and the ID.4 Crossover.
The brand has many EVs pending launch in the next few years. Notably, the company plans a coupe version of the ID.4, named the ID.5, and the Chinese-spec ID.6, a long-wheelbase version of the ID.5. Multiple other concepts and vehicles are planned, such as a premium hatchback and a shooting brake, with entry-level vehicles like the ID.1 also in the works.
Although the company is moving towards electric-only cars, the next-generation Passat and Tiguan will arrive soon. However, both models will feature either mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.
It seems like exciting times are coming for VW fans. After the Dieselgate scandal, the German company dedicated itself to a much brighter future with the quirky ID.Buzz as a frontrunner. We certainly can’t wait to see it on public roads.
