Volkswagen ID. Buzz attempts world record

VOLKSWAGEN has embarked on a Global Electric Adventure to promote its funky looking, fully electric ID.Buzz people mover through a Guinness World Record attempt for the most countries visited by an EV.

It rolled through Oz just before Christmas and uses a specially modified ID. Buzz Pro Long Wheelbase (LWB) equipped with “mobile charging support” and running on a single set of Giti Synergy tyres for the entire trip.

Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) directed traffic locally for the record-setting journey spanning across the globe and driving through 75 countries covering more than 80,000km.

The touring cavalcade made stops in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane representing key milestones in the journey.

The giant German brand engaged the services of renowned long-distance driver Rainer Zietlow for the tour that “aims to showcase the reliability, range and innovation of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in real-world conditions across continents”.

Mr Zietlow is no stranger to Australian roads as in 2024 he completed two Guinness World Record drives.

The first was for the largest GPS drawing ever made by an electric vehicle, tracing “70 Years of Vee Dub” across Australia in a Volkswagen ID.4 GTX.

The second was for the fastest crossing of all 10 Australian deserts that was completed in just six days and 17 hours in a Volkswagen Amarok.

The ID. Buzz is an all-electric reinterpretation of the iconic Kombi that VW says echoes the spirit of that classic original. Few would argue it has the requisite styling to achieve that aim.

The old Veedub Kombi is renowned across Oz as one of the iconic cross-country touring vehicles that is woven into folklore Down Under, particularly among the surfing fraternity.

Volkswagen says the ID. Buzz World Tour is more than a drive, “it’s a statement with nostalgic design, cutting-edge technology and zero-emissions performance, the ID.Buzz represents Volkswagen’s commitment to shaping a sustainable mobility future and emphasises the German brand’s engineering led approach.”

To recap, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a BEV sold here in Pro five seat SWB, Pro seven seat LWB and GTX seven seat 4Motion LWB priced from $87,990, $91,290 and $109,990 respectively excluding on-road costs.

The ID. Buzz range is up against other VW Multivan derivatives here but handily undercuts Chinese fully electric MPVs such as the Zeekr 009 and the LDV Mifa 9 electric.

The Pro variants are powered by a single, 210kW electric motor driving the rear wheels while the GTX uses a dual motor set-up for all-wheel drive delivering a maximum 250kW.

The Pro draws electrons from a 79kWh battery for a claimed 422km range while the GTX uses an 86kWh battery for a claimed 452km range.

VGA managing director, Karsten Seifert said the ID. Buzz represents not only an authentic modern interpretation of a people mover Australian icon, but also that electric vehicles can be fun and functional, they can evoke emotion, and true to the Volkswagen heritage, stand the test of time in this wide brown land.

“The ID. Buzz is more than a vehicle: it’s a statement of progress, freedom and connection,” he said.

“On the Australian leg of Rainer’s world record journey, it’s proving that electric mobility isn’t just possible, it’s unstoppable.

“From vibrant city streets to the toughest outback terrain, the ID. Buzz shows that sustainability and performance go hand in hand.

“This world record is on its way and Australia is a defining chapter in proving that electric mobility knows no boundaries,” he concluded.