After many years of teasers, the all-electric Volkswagen Bulli has made an appearance. This is the 2023 Volkswagen ID Buzz.
Just look at it! Surely it’s one of the coolest looking vehicles of all time? Volkswagen’s designers even managed to retain most of the funkiness from the 2017 concept too. What you see here is not just the 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, but the blue vehicle is a commercial van derivative.
Officially, Volkswagen is calling these vehicles “near-production concepts” but they look ready to hit the road in our opinion. The new 2023 Volkswagen ID Buzz is built on VW Group’s modular MEB platform, which underpins things like the ID.3 and ID.4.
Volkswagen Europe says the standard wheelbase derivative you see here will be on sale before the end of 2022 and customers will have a standard- and long-wheelbase to choose from. The first model out the blocks will be a 5-seater model with two rows of seats, with a 6-seater option with three rows of 2 seaters that will come out later. The long-wheelbase version arrives in 2023 with 7 seats.
Physically, the 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a touch shorter than the ICE-equivalent T.61 van, but the two have the same wheelbase, so expect the same levels of passenger space.
There’s no range claim yet, but Volkswagen has given some outputs and battery sizes. The launch edition will come with an 82 kWh battery that powers a motor delivering 150 kW and 310 Nm. This motor powers the rear axle. Volkswagen confirmed there will be an assortment of battery and power options that will go on sale in 2023. There was no performance claim either, other than a top speed of 145 kph.
Interestingly, when it comes to charging, Volkswagen is offering something called bi-directional charging. Essentially, you’re able to charge your vehicle, but also feed into the grid. You will need a special wall box however. The 2023 ID. Buzz supports 170 kW fast charging that will get the vehicle from 5% to 80% in 30 minutes.
Tech data aside, its the design both inside and out that will have everyone talking. It’s just brilliant. “We very consciously ensured that we were not making another T1,” says Jozef Kabaň, Head of Volkswagen Design. “The ID. Buzz shows that it is successfully transferring the genes and stylistic elements of that iconic vehicle into the digital era.”
The cabin is made from sustainable materials, with leather making way for synthetics and there’s extensive use of recycled materials. The material used for the floor, roofline, and seat covers is made from recovered ocean plastic and recycled bottles.
We’re expecting the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer to launch more info about the 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz in the coming weeks, but based on these looks, consider us smitten!
