The Breadloaf is back as Volkswagen unveiled the North American version of its Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric minivan in Huntington Beach, bringing a three-row EV to the German automaker’s New World lineup.
GM currently has no direct competitor to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which is surprisingly faithful to the friendly retro styling of the original VW Microbus, while updating the concept to include modern EV and safety technology.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz designed for the North American market is larger and more powerful than the version available in Europe since 2022. The European ID. Buzz minivan is a two-row EV, powered by an 82 kWh battery supplying energy to an electric motor rated at a maximum output of 201 horsepower.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz debuting in the Golden State features a three-row seating layout built on a longer wheelbase, offering space for additional passengers and cargo. The North American Buzz will come as a single-motor rear-wheel-drive EV as standard, with an available dual-motor all-wheel drive option.
The RWD Volkswagen ID. Buzz is motivated by an electric motor developing 282 horsepower, with power supplied by a 91 kWh battery. The dual-motor AWD option will generate output of 330 horsepower, over 60 percent more than the European model.
Sales of the minivan are expected to begin in 2024.
Volkswagen of America CEO Pablo Di Si describes the ID. Buzz as “the spiritual reincarnation of the Microbus” and predicts “the Bus will once again become our brand hero in America.” The electric minivan wears an oversized VW badge recalling the original Breadloaf. It is available with multiple two-tone exterior color options featuring vivid, cheerful hues.
The interior of the ID. Buzz seats seven, with the second and third rows folding flat and the third row of seats removable. The dash features two screens, a 5.3-inch driver information display and a 12.9-inch central infotainment screen. The ID. Light system light bar signals vehicle status by color changes, pulsation, and other visual cues. Electronic features include a range of modern safety features and IQ.DRIVE Level 2 driver assistance technology.
GM currently has no direct rival to the upcoming 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz minivan. The General’s vehicle lineup includes no minivans and does not offer a three-row EV so far. The last minivans it produced were the Chevy Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Relay, and Buick Terraza.
Another GM competitor, Toyota, also recently confirmed the launch of a three-row all-electric SUV in 2025, with production slated to take place in Kentucky.
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Comments
IT IS OK
Somthing that makes sense for ev market . Hauling people around town efficiently. Ford has ev transit coming here . GM once again nowhere to be found when you need them .
^^^^^ Cruise Origin ^^^^^
They’ll put seats in a Brightdrop van. 🤣🤣🤣
A camper van version of the Brightdrop van with more range would be awesome.
Chevy/GMC EV vans has been said all ready.
Ford has won the electric van war with a year of E-Transit sales. VW will share this market as a partner with Ford. But GM and Tesla have nothing to offer.
Wow, it already has a large opening in the top and a flat floor!
Build me a camper version so I can upgrade from my 81 air-cooled camper and I will find a way to buy it regardless of the cost.
I have been waiting a long time for this!
Would love to replace our PHEV Pacifica Hybrid minivan with a full BEV minivan. But sadly, VW isn’t going to be building this in the US “unless sales indicate it would be worthwhile”. So no US tax credit. It’s gonna be expensive. (too much added unnecessary features like standard massage seats, and digitally fogged sunroof), and low range with only a ~86kwh-ish battery.
Add to that, the chintzy “retro-inspired” cartoonish interior that looks like a child designed it. Which is totally lackluster compared to the Chrysler Pacifica.
So this is gonna be a no for us. Have to wait for someone else to come out with something compelling in the market segment.
Oh. And second row seats you can’t remove.
I think this VW EV bus could spark the second coming of the mini van in NA !!