Volkswagen ID. Buzz with 3 rows makes US debut

The three-row Volkswagen ID. Buzz has debuted in the United States (US), marking the icon’s return after the T4 generation bus left America and Canada some 20 years ago.

“The ID. Buzz and the USA — it’s a perfect match! The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys real cult status. Our aim today is to further strengthen the Volkswagen brand in America. The ID. Buzz with a long wheelbase is exactly the right model to fulfill this task,” said Volkswagen Group of America Chief Executive Officer Pablo Di Si.

Measuring up to 4,962 millimeters (mm), the three-row Volkswagen ID. Buzz has enough seats to accommodate seven passengers. Compared to its two-row variant brother, the three-row model has a longer wheelbase of 250 mm. This increases the overall capacity of the electric bus to 2,469 liters.

Additionally, the larger area did not only create a more generous space for passengers but also gave way for the installation of a larger 58-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery versus the European-spec two-row Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s 82 kWh battery unit.

As a result, the three-row Volkswagen ID. Buzz for the US market is said to have a better range, although the German automotive brand did not release any numbers pertaining to the estimated all-electric range offered by the three-row electric bus.

The said 58-kWh battery powers the electric motors of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which can put out as much as 286 horsepower (hp). The larger powertrain boosts the three-row electric bus’ speed to 160 kilometers per hour (kph). For comparison’s sake, the two-row model of the ID. Buzz has a top speed of 145 kph.

Further, Volkswagen announced that an all-wheel drive GTX version with an output of 339 hp will be available in the US. The said model can go from zero to 100 kph in 6.4 seconds.

“Volkswagen is an extremely strong global brand with a great history, millions of loyal fans, and legendary products. This is clearly evident here at the largest VW Bus festival in the USA. I am therefore delighted that the team at Volkswagen Group of America is celebrating the premiere of the ID. Buzz with a long wheelbase here. With this model, we are taking a big step towards becoming a true love brand again,” commented Volkswagen Member of the Board of Management Thomas Schäfer.

Other new features offered by the three-row electric bus include a head-up display, an upgraded next-generation infotainment system, and remote parking via smartphone. Additionally, it packs a newly designed high-tech panoramic sunroof with smart glass that measures 1.5 square meters, which makes it the largest glass roof ever built by Volkswagen.

The US versions will also feature air-conditioned seats and an illuminated Volkswagen logo on the front.

“In the USA, Canada, and Europe, the VW bus has embodied a unique attitude on life for decades. The picture of the legendary T1 Lightbus in Woodstock is unforgettable. The DNA of this symbol of freedom lives on in our ID. Buzz. It is of utmost importance to us that we can now offer the people of North America a modern, all-electric new edition with the ID. Buzz in an iconic design,” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing Lars Krause stated.

The three-row Volkswagen ID. Buzz will go on sale in the US and Europe in 2024.

Photos from Volkswagen

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