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New VW bus long wheelbase coming to U.S. in 2024

Looking to capture a little of that old-school California Dreamin' vibe? The reborn VW bus will finally be available in the U.S. next year as the all-electric ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB), after the short-wheelbase model rolled off the production lines for European customers this year. The rear-motor LWB bus is filled with retro-futuristic design touches, and a more powerful AWD version will be an option eventually too.

With a length of 16.28 ft and up to seven seats, the three-row ID. Buzz LWB is almost 10 in. longer than its European five-passenger, two-row counterpart (which will not be available in the U.S). For comparison, the LWB model is just a bit shorter than VW's Atlas SUV (16.72 ft). It is 77.9 in. wide and 74.6 in. tall, making it roughly as wide as an Atlas but 5 in. taller.

The U.S. Buzz will sport a larger battery pack (91 kWh, 9 kWh larger) that will give the vehicle 282 hp, which is 81 hp more than the SWB model. Top speed is 99 mph, and 0- to 62-mph time is 7.9 sec. An all-wheel-drive version (GTX) with an output of 339 hp will also be available (no more details from VW yet).

No official range numbers have been released, but we expect the LWB model to get from 275 to 300 miles per charge for U.S. customers. The European shorter version gets 263 miles on a single charge. The Buzz uses a multi-link rear suspension and struts at the front and sits on aerodynamically optimized 20-in. wheels.

VIDEO: Excellent walk-around video of the new 3-Row ID. Buzz LWB. [Video courtesy: The Late Brake Show]

The new APP550 rear-mounted motor is a PMS (permanent magnet synchronous) design with a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft, packaged with a one-speed transmission and a new inverter (power and control electronics). VW says the increase in power, torque, and efficiency is achieved by a rotor with stronger permanent magnets that have a high thermal load capacity, a newly developed stator with a larger effective number of turns and maximum wire cross-section, a water cooling jacket for the outside of the stator, and a combined oil and water cooling system that also ensures higher thermal stability.

Outside, the ID. Buzz retains its traditionally boxy shape with short overhangs. Retro cues throughout are a throwback to the original VW Bus, while reinterpreting the design for the future. The iconic oversized VW logo is illuminated, with a light line that extends to either side, connecting to the LED headlights. Bold exterior colors, with an available two-tone color palette, include many found on the two-row ID: Buzz: Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, and Mahi Green. Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Grey are new options.

Dual power-sliding rear doors with Easy Open and Close provide excellent access to the third row and are replete with a modern take on the classic sliding windows -- also fully powered. The Buzz also features standard power-folding and heated side mirrors, plus a standard power tailgate with Easy Open and Close.

The flat floor makes the new microbus seem all the more spacious along with the enormous sunroof, which is 67.4 in. long and 40.8 in. wide and has a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) layer integrated into the glass. Current applied to the glass from a switch makes it transparent. Otherwise, it is opaque. Additional coating in the glass helps to reflect sunlight to help reduce the heat that could enter the vehicle.

In addition to full perforated leatherette seating, all Buzz models are equipped with standard 12-way power driver and passenger seats with dual armrests, ventilation, massage, and memory functions; front seats and outboard second-row seats are heated. Standard Climatronic automatic climate control keeps the cabin comfortable no matter the season, and all three rows have dedicated air vents.

Seating for seven is standard, and captain's chairs are available as a second-row option to make it seating for six. Second- and third-row windows are tinted for privacy, helping to maintain the interior temperature. The second-row seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, and the seat backs can be raked by 16 degrees. In addition, the bench can be moved fore and aft by up to 7.9 in., and it can be moved forward by 4 in. at the touch of a handle to allow for better third-row egress.

The second and third rows fold flat, and the third row can be removed entirely. An available Flexboard, with two fabric storage bins, creates a flat floor with the seats folded. The available Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers will amplify any listening experience; nine speakers are standard. Overall, there is about 2,469 liters of storage space available (over 87 cubic ft) with the seats folded down, which is quite a lot.

In the cockpit, the driver sits up high and is presented with two screens: the 5.3-in. ID. Cockpit, which sits behind the steering wheel with key information, and the 12.9-in. central infotainment display. Wireless device charging is standard, along with eight USB-C ports throughout the vehicle, a 110-V outlet under the passenger seat, and 12-V charging in the cargo area.

The Buzz also comes with the ID. Light system -- a light strip that runs below the windshield and provides the driver with intuitive support. It uses various light pulses to signal status such as readiness to drive, turn instructions from the navigation system, brake prompts from driver-assistance systems, and incoming phone calls. When using voice commands, it signals that it is listening, similar to voice-activation on mobile phones or virtual assistants. When the ID. Buzz is plugged in to charge, the ID. Light indicates the current level of charge.

IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology, featuring hands-on Level 2 ready capability, is standard in the ID. Buzz. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to help make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE helps alert you to obstacles in front of you, and keeps an eye around you to help make driving safer. Dynamic Road Sign Display is standard as well, and a head-up display, Park Assist with remote parking, and Area View are available features.

VIDEO: 3-Row ID. Buzz World Premiere by Volkswagen of America [Video courtesy: Volswagen]

No pricing has been released by Volkswagen, but we expect the ID. Buzz LWB to run $70,000+ in the United States, given that the short-wheelbase version costs about that in Germany. We will see! Also, there will be lots of adventure accessories available for personalizing your ID. Buzz for beach or backwoods fun.

Learn more at vw.com/en/models/id-buzz.html.

SIDEBAR: ID. Buzz is not the first VW electric bus -- 1979 Elektrotransporter
During the global oil crisis of the early 1970s, Volkswagen produced a number of Type 2 buses converted to electric power to explore the feasibility of electric propulsion and charging. In 1978, the Electric Power Research Institute and the Tennessee Valley Authority bought 10 of these electric Type 2s to test how EVs performed under daily use in work fleet conditions.

The electric bus held 72 lead-acid battery cells in a 1,874-lb pack under a raised floor with 25.9 kWh of energy. The electric motor was bolted directly to the existing bus' transmission, which remained locked in second gear, driving the vehicle's rear wheels. The Elektrotransporter produced only 23 hp, and VW claimed a top speed of 48 mph, though testing by NASA was only able to produce a top speed of 44 mph. While some pieces of the technology were rudimentary by modern standards, the Elektrotransporter did offer an early version of regenerative braking. Based in Chattanooga, the EPRI-TVA fleet clocked a total of about 54,000 electric miles over an 18-month test period.

Source: Volkswagen

Published June 2023

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