VW I.D. Buzz to become reality in 2022

After seeing how well VW's concept, all-electric microbus debuted this past winter in Detroit (full launch details here), this is the news we had expected to hear; that Volkswagen has officially confirmed the electric I.D. Buzz microbus will be headed into production.

270-Mile, All-Electric Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ debuts in Detroit at the 2017 NAIAS

Now we just have to wait ~4.5 years.

"Within the framework of further development, Volkswagen has also set a launch date for the I.D. BUZZ. The vehicle will arrive at dealerships in 2022, after the compact four-door I.D. makes its debut. With the I.D. BUZZ, Volkswagen is mainly targeting markets in North America, Europe and China."

The decision was made public from this weekend's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car’,” Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess said in Pebble Beach.

The Board of Management chose Pebble Beach as the location to make its announcement because, as Diess explained: "The Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle. Now we're bringing it back by reinventing it as an electric vehicle."

Inside the I.D. Buzz Concept
VW I.D. BUZZ...which will need to lose those custom Hankook show wheels if it truly wants to live at the beach

VW stated that the production car will stay true to the original concept's styling and vision, with a long wheelbase and short overhangs. The vehicle has a length of more than 16 feet (194.6 inches), and is great than 6 feet in height.

"The vehicle looks like a compact commercial van on the outside, even though it offers the generous interior space of a large SUV," Diess explained.

VW ID Buzz: 111 kWh battery, good for ~270 miles of range (EPA/600 km on NEDC)

Interestingly, I.D. BUZZ production will actually spawn a second iteration of the iconic T2, as VW looks to put some of the large footprint to work for business - the I.D. BUZZ CARGO.

 "With Level 3 autonomous capability, this is an ideal concept for an electric van, particularly for delivering packages and goods to the inner cities."

Quick specs on the ID BUZZ:

  • MEB architecture
  • Range of 270 miles / 434 km (EPA) or 373 miles/600 km (NEDC)
  • 111 kWh battery
  • two electric motors for AWD and total system output: 275 kW/369horsepower
  • 0-60 mph run in about 5 seconds
  • ability to accept rates of up to 150 kW (80% charging in about half hour)
A second, shorter range offering (~200 miles/RWD via 83 kWh) has also been suggested previously by VW, but not yet confirmed.  Earlier statement on the I.D. BUZZ from Volkswagen:

"The vehicle’s 111 kWh battery can be charged to 80 percent of its capacity within 30 minutes using the Combined Charging System (CCS) or an inductive charging interface, with a charging rate of 150 kW. As an alternative, the battery can be charged from any conventional household outlet and at charging stations. The all-wheel drive configuration is just one of several that are conceivable. Thanks to the MEB, it would be just as easy to equip the I.D. BUZZ with a rear-wheel drive setup producing up to 268 hp and a smaller 83 kWh battery, depending on the region and purpose of use."

Gallery (below): All-electric I.D. BUZZ

 

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@insideevs.com