VW blows up ID. Buzz to the XL version: Has it grown

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The electric cult Bulli was a hit: just months after its release last year, 35,000 ID. Buzz has been sold. There will now be an inflated XL version in 2024. A longer wheelbase and more power will generate even more sales figures in many countries. Especially in the USA, people were waiting for the larger version.

It’s no coincidence that the big electric Bulli celebrated its world premiere at the Bully Festival in Huntington Beach on the California coast: “ID Buzz and the USA – it’s in perfect harmony! The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys a true cult status here. “Find the right model,” says Pablo Di Si (53), CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.

Finally a third row of seats

Thanks to the longer wheelbase, the length of the new variant reached 4.96 meters, and therefore centimeters. The electric bus comes in the XL version with a wide seat for six or seven. It becomes particularly classy with two separate rear seats instead of a triple row of seats. They can be adjusted or folded and heated. Access to the third row is by either folding the rear seats or pushing them a little in the middle. Depending on the seat configuration, the loading volume increases from 306 to 2469 liters.

For many customers it is just as important: at the push of a button, not only are the sliding doors 19 centimeters wider, but also the small sliding windows that open electrically. Also new is the panoramic roof, which electromagnetically shadows itself to protect against excessive sunlight. The cockpit and operation remain the same as the regular version. The only thing missing from the ID. Buzz XL – and according to VW, it is not planned in the future either.

More power for three versions

The 2.7-tonne XL Buzz gets significantly more powerful propulsion from the new ID.7 electric sedan: So far it has only had 204 hp (150 kW) – as a rear-wheel drive vehicle the XL base version has 286 hp (210 kW) with a maximum of 560 Newton meters with Torque. So it goes a little faster on the motorway – the top speed of 145 km/h rises to 160 km/h.

Next will come a 340 hp (250 kW) all-wheel drive variant known as the ID. The Buzz GTX should then reach a top speed of 180 km/h. Both are equipped with a new 91 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery and provide a range of up to 490 kilometers. As a new entry-level version, Volkswagen is bringing the electric bus with an additional 170 hp (125 kW) and a 63 kWh battery. The charging capacity is increased to 170 kW, as in the renewed compact Stromer ID.3.

Bigger equals more expensive

Market launch for VW ID. The Buzz XL will launch in January 2024 – all-wheel drive and the new base version will arrive shortly. But: There should not be a Buezer variant called Cargo with the XL electric bulli. At least for now, it remains with a normal wheelbase and an overall length of 4.71 meters. According to VW CEO Thomas Schäfer (53), there will definitely be a T6 California-style camper van version and it will take some time to arrive.

Volkswagen is keeping a low profile on prices at the moment. After the current VW ID. The Buzz starts at around 65,000 francs, with the significantly more powered XL version should start at just under 75,000 francs.

Source: Blick