VW has revealed the much-anticipated North American model of its ID. Buzz electrical microbus, with an additional row of seats and beginning deliveries subsequent yr.

The brand new ID. Buzz model is very like the two-row European spec, however with a bit extra of nearly every little thing. It has 282hp versus 201hp (plus an obtainable 330hp dual-motor configuration) with a prime pace of 99 mph as a substitute of 90 mph, 91kWh as a substitute of 82kWh of battery, and is a full 10 inches longer.

These extra 10 inches all come within the type of a 10-inch-longer wheelbase on the NA-spec. At 192.4 inches lengthy, the three-row ID. Buzz is definitely a full 2 ft longer than VW’s authentic 168-inch-long microbus. This all means extra space for people and cargo in comparison with the two-row model (although the additional row of seats takes up a few of that house, however the 2nd row folds flat and third row will be eliminated).

It additionally means room for an additional 9kWh of battery. VW hasn’t but introduced the vary of the three-row model, although the European spec has 263 miles on the WLTP cycle. Whereas the NA-spec has a bigger battery, it’s additionally an extended and heavier car, and EPA mileage estimates are considerably decrease than WLTP estimates, so we are able to’t make certain what the ultimate quantity will shake out as.

We don’t know if there are any modifications to the Buzz’s charging functionality both – the EU spec has 170kW charging, and that may possible keep the identical for the US model, however a bigger battery might allow barely sooner charging speeds, which might be good.

The one efficiency-related reply VW supplied in its press launch is that the Buzz has a drag coefficient of .29, which it calls “excellent for a car of this form” (i.e., a brick).

As for different variations, the North American mannequin is available in three new colours that aren’t obtainable on the European spec: Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Gray.

VW hasn’t but specified a worth for the US model of the ID.Buzz, however it begins within the $65K-$70K vary in Europe after taxes. The US model will likely be greater, so may also value extra, however the beginning worth would possible be quoted as a bit decrease, since US taxes are added after the very fact. However, we are able to count on that this car will in all probability be priced nearer to the upper finish of the electrical SUV market, slightly than the entry degree.

We point out electrical SUVs as a result of there isn’t actually one other car like this. There’s one plug-in hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, and a few industrial electrical vans just like the eSprinter and E-Transit. The ID. Buzz sits someplace adjoining to a van and a minivan, with extra character than both, so it’s exhausting to essentially discover a direct competitor for it.

However the closest factor might be minivans, and this will likely be a lot increased worth than the gas-powered entry-level of that market, which is within the ~$35K vary. That stated, the Buzz will get entry to incentives and could have decrease working prices from power and upkeep.

And, as the primary all-electric entry into the market, VW in all probability thinks it will probably justify a better worth. Anecdotally, there does appear to be important demand on the market for a cool minivan-esque electrical car – particularly one that might allow attention-grabbing conversion/journey choices.

VW didn’t give us any extra information concerning the upcoming California camper van that it’s planning, however the lengthy wheelbase offers VW room to work with. With all that house and built-in electrical energy, there must be some actually cool choices on the market for van-lifers (even perhaps ones who wish to keep off the grid with photo voltaic panels).

The general public will get its first probability to have a look at the 3-row ID. Buzz later as we speak, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at VW’s unveiling occasion in Huntington Seaside, California, on the seaside parking zone at 21101 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.

Electrek’s Take

We’ll be on the reveal occasion later as we speak in Huntington Seaside, so we’ll get an opportunity to have some hands-on time with the van and see what it’s like in particular person.

As somebody whose household had a VW Vanagon Westfalia camper rising up, the VW bus has particular significance to me. My household went on plenty of adventures in that bus, and for all its quirks, it was an superior car.

And once I obtained into electrical autos, I continuously considered what an amazing platform a bus can be for an EV, with loads of room below the ground for batteries which might energy numerous tenting equipment (stoves, lights, leisure, and many others.).

Electrical drive can present important advantages to minivan-type autos as a result of there’s loads of room on the ground of the car to suit a battery. This helps designers with packaging the powertrain, releasing up house that may in any other case be crammed with engines, driveshafts or the like.

So when Voltswagen confirmed off its authentic ID. Buzz idea and leaned exhausting into the cool retro type of all of it, I used to be instantly offered on the thought. I, and plenty of others, thought it was simply too cool.

Then actuality set in, and the automotive ended up trying rather less “cute” than the unique retro idea. The finalized model obtained a bit extra boxy form, misplaced the attribute outdated multi-window look, and the industrial/cargo model even misplaced the rear home windows to only appear like a traditional van.

However nonetheless, between the two-tone paint job and quick overhangs, the ID. Buzz stays extra “enjoyable” than a traditional van. And it does have extra character than most minivans, and is much less boxy than different vans just like the Sprinter and Transit.

I do query, nonetheless, why North America can’t have the two-row model. It looks as if everyone seems to be releasing a three-row EV this yr, as if all of a sudden each American household gained two or three further members that their European counterparts didn’t.

Someway, my household’s 180-inch camper slept my entire American household comfortably, regardless of being a foot shorter than as we speak’s providing – and it even had a kitchen, too.

We have now a wierd obsession with greater autos right here, regardless of their monumental prices to society (e.g., 1000’s of pedestrian lives). Some would say that Individuals merely demand bigger autos, however the issue is extra complicated than that – it’s largely pushed by poor regulation that incentivizes the upsizing of automobiles. Fortunately the EPA has proven indicators that it wish to bend the needle again, however considerably slowly.

Till then, we nonetheless get a neat, retro-esque bus that appears prefer it might get some superior camper capabilities. However a few of us should await a extra micro-version of the basic microbus, as a substitute of the maxi-micro-bus America is getting now.

And there are nonetheless some questions which might be but unanswered (worth, vary, charging), however I’m excited to see what VW does with this bus anyway – and to see it in particular person in just a few hours on the Huntington Seaside reveal.