VW Australia has hand up for three-row ID.Buzz

VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled its three-row ID.Buzz in the United States, the model said to be “tailored specifically for North America” with a longer wheelbase, a larger capacity battery and more power.

While the North American flavour of this all-electric people mover is undisputed, Volkswagen Group Australia product and public relations communication manager Daniel DeGasperi told GoAuto the model is very much on the radar for the Australian market.

“We have put our hand firmly up for it, and it is our intention – and in our planning – to bring the three-row ID.Buzz to Australia. Further details will be communicated in due course,” he said.

Scheduled to go on sale in North America from 2024, the model retains the styling cues and technology of its two-row sibling, as well as a rear-mounted electric motor that offers rear-wheel drive and 210kW, up 60kW from its shorter European counterpart. Maximum torque is rated at 550Nm.

The battery now delivers 91kWh, up 9kWh, while top speed is lifted from 145km/h to an electronically limited 159km/h. The drag coefficient is listed at 0.29Cd.

An optional all-wheel drive variant will be offered from launch with dual motors and an estimated combined output of 246kW. Like the two-row ID.Buzz, the three-row model rides on a familiar strut front / multi-link rear suspension set-up.

Volkswagen’s three-row ID.Buzz hits the tape at 4887mm in length, nearly 254mm longer than the two-row range. That increase comes from a longer 3239mm wheelbase, up from 2987mm for the two-row. Width remains unchanged at 1979mm, as does height at 1895mm.

Like the European ID.Buzz, the US-sourced derivative features plentiful retro styling cues that are a throwback to the original ‘Bus’, or Kombi as it is known Down Under.

The oversized frontal logo is illuminated, with a light line that extends to either headlight. Bold exterior colours and two-tone paint treatments are also available, many shared with the two-row model. Available hues include Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, Mahi Green, Cabana Blue, Metro Silver and Indium Grey – the latter three all-new.

For the North American market, the ID.Buzz includes dual power-sliding doors and powered sliding windows, folding and heated wing mirrors, and a powered tailgate. Twenty-inch wheels are standard issue.

Inside, the wood-optic dashboard adds a touch of retro-inspired flair while the removable console bin features a unique divider that doubles as both a bottle opener and ice scraper. A 30-colour LED ambient lighting package is available, as is a panoramic roof with electrochromic (self-dimming) tinting.

Three interior colour and trim choices are available, including a dark brown and black combination with leatherette upholstery contrasted with white piping; a light grey and clay combo again with leatherette upholstery and clay-coloured piping; and a light brown leatherette upholstered finish with contrasting yellow piping, light grey door cards and a “washed wood” and black-themed dash.

It has a familiar feature list to the ID.Buzz Volkswagen Group Australia previewed here last year, comprising 12-way powered front seats with memory, massage, heating and ventilation, dual-zone climate control, split-function and sliding rear seats, privacy glass, a mains-style power outlet, a heated steering wheel – plus seating for seven.

Tech highlights include a 5.3-inch instrument panel and 12.9-inch central array with wireless app connect and an optional 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system (shared with the forthcoming ID.7 sedan).

Driver assistance technology extends to Level 2 autonomy, traffic sign recognition, park assist with remote parking function and a 360-degree camera to name just a few.

“The zero-emission ID.Buzz is the spiritual reincarnation of the Microbus, reimagined for our electric future. It is practical, sustainable, and packaged in an unmistakably fun way that is classic Volkswagen. With its launch, the Bus will once again become our hero brand in America,” said Volkswagen of America Inc. president and CEO, Pablo Di Si.

Pricing for the model will be announced closer to the model’s launch.