In Huntington Beach, California, Volkswagen of America, Inc. introduced the three-row ID. Buzz. The three-row ID. Buzz, which pays homage to the classic Volkswagen Microbus, has been designed particularly for North America. It has a longer wheelbase than the European two-row car that arrived in 2022, as well as a larger battery and more horsepower. Retro design characteristics, such as the big Volkswagen logo, low overhangs, and selectable two-tone paint palette, combine with a customized interior, cutting-edge EV technology, and advanced driver assistance systems to clearly designate it as a car of the future. The three-row ID. Buzz is scheduled to go on sale in North America in 2024. The three-row ID. Buzz, like the original Bus, has a rear-mounted powertrain as standard, giving excellent traction, performance, and agility. The rear engine delivers 282 horsepower, up from 201 horsepower in the two-row European-spec vehicle. The battery is also larger at 91 kWh (gross), compared to the 82 kWh battery in the two-row model. The economical skateboard design–with the battery positioned in the floor–not only saves space, but also adds to better handling by positioning a substantial percentage of the vehicle’s weight low down in the structure. All-wheel drive is available for the three-row ID. Buzz from launch, with around 330 hp and two motors. The Buzz, like all modern modular electric drive (MEB) vehicles, has a multi-link rear suspension with struts.
The new APP550 rear-mounted motor is a PMS (permanent magnet synchronous) design with a maximum torque of 406 pound-feet, bundled with a new inverter (power and control electronics). A rotor with stronger permanent magnets with 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 all contribute to the increase in power, torque, and efficiency. The ID. Buzz’s new electric motor boosts top speed to an electronically limited 99 mph, up from 90 mph in the two-row model. The ID. Buzz preserves its characteristic boxy shape with short overhangs on the outside, providing it maximum functionality on a small footprint. It is 192.4 inches long, nearly 10 inches longer than the two-row Buzz; the extra length is due to a 127.5-inch wheelbase, compared to 117.6 inches for the two-row. It’s 77.9 inches broad and 74.6 inches tall, so it’s about the same width as an Atlas but five inches taller. Given that the original Bus was roughly the same length and width as a 2019 Beetle, this is a significant increase. The coefficient of drag is only 0.29, which is excellent for a vehicle of this design.
Retro cues throughout pay homage to the original Bus while reimagining it for the future. The famous large VW emblem is lighted, with a light line connecting it to the LED headlights on either side. Many of the outside colors on the two-row ID are bold, with a two-tone color palette available. For example, Buzz-Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, and Mahi Green. Others, like Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Grey, are entirely new. Dual power-sliding rear doors with Easy Open and Close allow easy access to the third row and are outfitted with a new take on the classic sliding windows that are also operated. The Buzz comes standard with power-folding and heated side mirrors, as well as a motorized tailgate with Easy Open and Close. Owners can approach the vehicle with keys in their pockets or purses and kick a foot under the rear bumper to open or close the tailgate as needed. Ingress is made simple by proximity unlocking and keyless entry, as well as LED door handles on the front. Air “vents” on the D-pillar resemble the original Bus’s rear-engine cooling holes. The 20-inch aerodynamically designed wheels are four inches larger in diameter than a 1950 T2 model’s.
From the retro-inspired wood-optic dash to the whimsical Play and Pause pedals from the 2016 BUZZ design, to Buzz easter eggs sprinkled throughout the car, every detail has been paid attention to. The removable center console has two innovative separators that double as a bottle opener and ice scraper, as well as two extra drawers underneath.There are three interior color and trim options. Dark brown leatherette seats with white piping, blue door inserts, and a dark wood-look dash are combined with a black headliner and décor items. Light grey leatherette seats are paired with clay-colored piping, clay door inserts, a light wood-look dash, and light grey décor items in a light grey and clay mix. With light brown leatherette seats with yellow piping, light grey door inserts, and a washed wood-look dash combined with black, the final mix creates a balanced modern design. Ambient lighting with 30 hues is standard, allowing drivers to pick from five preset moods or individual regions. A panoramic glass sunroof with electrochromic tinting, which turns from transparent to opaque with the sweep of a finger, is available to complement the wide-open greenhouse.
This sunroof is the largest in the Volkswagen Group, measuring 67.4 inches long and 40.8 inches broad. The roof operates using a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) layer embedded in the glass. Transparency is created by applying current to the crystals in this layer, with opacity occurring when the PDLC layer is de-energized. Additional coating on the glass helps to reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of heat that can enter the car.In the ID. Buzz, comfort reigns supreme. The elevated sitting position provides drivers with excellent view. All Buzz versions include standard 12-way power driver and passenger seats with dual armrests, ventilation, massage, and memory functions, as well as heated front seats and outboard second-row seats. Climatronic® automatic climate control is standard, keeping the cabin comfortable regardless of the season, and all three rows have separate air vents. The second and third rows of windows are tinted for privacy and to assist keep the inside temperature stable. The second-row seats can be divided 60:40, and the seat backs can be raked by 16 degrees. Furthermore, the bench can be adjusted fore and aft by up to 7.9 inches, and it can be moved forward by 4 inches at the touch of a handle to allow for better third-row egress.
When the outside temperature drops, the standard heated steering wheel keeps drivers warm; heated windshield washer nozzles are standard, and a heated windshield is optional, all of which contribute to enhance efficiency. Seating for seven is conventional, while captain’s chairs with seating for six are available. The second and third rows fold flat, and the third row is completely removable. With the chairs folding, an optional Flexboard with two fabric storage bins makes a level floor. Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers is offered and will enhance any listening experience; nine speakers are standard. The ID. Buzz’s modern technology provides a completely connected experience. Drivers are faced with two screens in the cockpit: the 5.3-inch ID. Cockpit, which sits behind the steering wheel and displays essential information, and the 12.9-inch center infotainment display. With standard wireless App-Connect, wireless charging, eight USB-C ports throughout the vehicle, a 110V outlet under the passenger seat, and 12-volt charging in the cargo area, the Buzz makes it easier than ever to connect compatible devices.
In keeping with the incoming ID.7 sedan, the infotainment system has been improved. The volume and temperature touch sliders have been lit. The climate features are now integrated in the bottom of the infotainment screen, giving easy access to these functions. The operation has been more straightforward, intuitive, and configurable. On the left side of the display’s top bar, a new direct access function opens the main menu with an overview of all programs with a single click. Next to it is a button for the new Car Control Center, which provides immediate access to the most critical car functions and may be customized. The main menu and the Car Control Center can be accessed at any time without exiting the current program. This greatly simplifies operations. The new home screen in the center aggregates the content of the most important apps on tiles of various sizes. In addition to classic content such as navigation and radio/media, the tiles also offer new functions such as suggestions from the voice assistant. The home screen can also be individually configured by the user. The Buzz also includes the ID. Light system, which is a light strip that runs beneath the windshield and gives intuitive help to the driver. It uses various light pulses to convey status such as driving readiness, navigation system turn instructions, driver-assistance system braking prompts, and incoming phone calls. When you use voice instructions, it indicates that it is listening, much as voice-activation on mobile phones or virtual assistants. The ID. Light reveals the current amount of charge when the ID. Buzz is plugged in to charge.
