The long-awaited world premiere of the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is behind us, so let's summarize what we know about this new model.
First of all, there are two versions of the ID. Buzz - a passenger one, and a cargo van. The company unveiled both, but only in an initial specification for the European market, ahead of the launch in Autumn (September). Advance sales are due to start in May.
There will be more versions, including a longer wheelbase version, which will be the first one offered in the US and Canada, in 2024. Only passenger "microbus" versions will be exported to North America.
Here are the most important dates:
- Start of European ID. Buzz Cargo production: first half of 2022
- Start of European ID. Buzz production: first half of 2022
- European launch (initial countries): third quarter of 2022
- Start of advance sales in Europe (initial countries): May 2022
- North American debut of long wheelbase: 2023
- North American sales launch: 2024
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz initially will be available with an 82 kWh battery (77 kWh usable capacity) and a 150 kW electric motor (rear-wheel drive), known from other MEB-based models. The company said that more battery versions with various power output levels are expected to follow in 2023.
At this point, the manufacturer has not released the WLTP range rating yet. It is expected that the range will be lower than in the case of Volkswagen ID.4 (82 kWh, RWD).
A brief, 17-mile mixed-cycle test of a pre-production unit indicated that the range is above 200 miles. In the same test, the 0-60 mph acceleration was under 10 seconds.
Compared to the data released in February, Volkswagen has confirmed peak DC charging power of 170 kW (hinted at during Bjørn Nyland's test drive), which is expected to allow to recharge from 5 to 80% state-of-charge (SOC) in 30 minutes. The onboard charger will be a three-phase, 11 kW unit, which is a pretty common type in Europe right now.
Besides the range, also the price numbers are still missing, but the final numbers for initial markets probably will be released by May.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz specs (Europe)
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- 5-seat passenger version
- 82 kWh battery (77 kWh usable capacity)
- top speed is electronically limited at 145 km/h (90 mph)
- rear-wheel drive
- electric motor: 150 kW (201 hp) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
- AC charging: 11 kW on-board charger
- DC fast charging: up to 170 kW (from 5 to 80% of SOC in 30 minutes)
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
- cargo van with three seats in the front (2 seat option)
- 82 kWh battery (77 kWh usable capacity)
- top speed is electronically limited at 145 km/h (90 mph)
- rear-wheel drive
- electric motor: 150 kW (201 hp) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
- AC charging: 11 kW on-board charger
- DC fast charging: up to 170 kW (from 5 to 80% of SOC in 30 minutes)
General specs
- length: 4,712 mm (185.5 in)
- height:
ID. Buzz: 1,937 mm (76.3 in)
ID. Buzz Cargo: 1,938 mm (due to slight differences in the chassis) - width: 1,985 mm (78.1 in) excluding wing mirrors
- wheelbase of 2,988 mm (117.6 in)
- turning circle of over 11 m (over 35 feet)
- wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches in diameter
- Luggage/Payload (no front trunk):
ID. Buzz: up to 1,121 liters (39.6 cu ft); 2,205 liters after folding the second row of seats
ID. Buzz Cargo: more than 3.9 m3 (5.1 cubic yards), fitted with a partition behind the front seats; can take two euro pallets - drag coefficient:
ID. Buzz: 0.285
ID. Buzz Cargo: 0.29 - wheels (standard): 18" steel wheels
ID. Buzz optional aluminum-alloy wheels: 18-21" - towing:
ID. Buzz Cargo: yes (data N/A) - Features:
Plug & Charge (authenticates itself at compatible DC stations via the charging connector using the ISO 15118 standard)
Over-the-air software updates
bi-directional charging Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) - platform: Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB)
- battery warranty: 8 years or 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles)
- production site: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' plant in Hannover, Germany
