Loved by surfers, backpackers, rock and roll bands, families, and small cargo drivers, the VW Bus is back in an all-electric version. Volkswagen has been teasing its fanbase for several years with promises of a remake of the iconic bus. For example, VW teased different versions of the modern bus in 2001, 2011 and in 2015, but for some reason, they never went past the reveal and into production.
The large all-electric vehicle market is moving towards futuristic designs and away from the past, with companies like Tesla looking to innovate with disruptive concepts like the Cybertruck. The retro EV movement might not be as big of a trend, but it still exists, and VW seems confident that it can deliver a product that will sell.
VW finally revealed the new Bus, now called ID Buzz. With its classic supersized VW logo and two-tone painting, the model is a modernized update of the cultural icon that conquered the streets of the 70s and 80s and still loved by many today. The European version of the ID Buzz will be rolling out this autumn, according to VW, while the US will have to wait until 2024. It is likely that the company wants to make the American model longer and more powerful.
Don't Underestimate The Buzz
The VW ID Buzz may look retro, but it is filled with the latest in auto-tech. The Buzz can perform lane changes, park, emergency brake, receive over-the-air updates, and warn about pedestrians or risks. VW says the Buzz will come with bidirectional charging which means that made of recycled plastic (PET).
The ID Buzz is launching across Europe with a 77 kWh battery (gross energy content: 82 kWh). It provides current to a 150 kW electric motor, so don't expect the Buzz to be slow or lack power. VW says that the battery will charge from 5 to 80% in 30 minutes with a fast charger. These specs signal that the model, once fully charged, may be capable of around 250 miles. The position of the battery and the lightweight electric drive system results in a good distribution of weight and a low center of gravity, and an agile VW Buzz that's not to be underestimated.
Source: VW, VW Newsroom