VW Confirms U.S. Debut of 2025 ID.Buzz
Volkswagen has confirmed the debut of the U.S.-spec ID.Buzz for June 2nd — naming it “the first ever International Volkswagen Bus Day.”
With the microbus already on sale in Europe, we already know what to expect. The United States will be getting the long-wheelbase version with the seven-seat layout as the standard configuration.
Ed. note -- one of us has been assigned to cover the event. Check back for our coverage.
The base model should also have the same single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower, with customers having the option to upgrade to a dual-hub setup offering 295 hp and all-wheel drive. Though VW has suggested that the U.S. version is likely to come with a battery pack that’s larger than the 77.0-kWh unit that’s native to Europe.
Under the overly generous testing standards used across the Atlantic, the battery is said to yield 258 miles between charges. Any larger pack slated for North America should theoretically meet or exceed those figures. But we’ll have to wait to see what the Environmental Protection Agency decides. Either way, it’s a smart move on the part of VW — as average driving distances tend to be much longer in the United States and Canada.
It was also probably wise for Volkswagen to wrap the debut in a larger event to help build hype. Volkswagen Bus Day is said to include live entertainment and streamed programming, for a “Cars & Coffee” style gathering intended for classic Volkswagen Bus owners. Clearly aware of the role the model played in the United States, VW is leaning into the heritage of the original Type 2 and framing the Buzz as a lifestyle vehicle.
“Whether you call them Buses, Bullis or Kombis, the legacy Type 2s have left on modern culture is unmatched,” said Cameron Batten, Chief Communications Officer, Volkswagen Group of America. “As we continue to introduce the T2’s 21st Century electric successor, the ID.Buzz, we’re thrilled to create this annual day of celebration for Volkswagen bus fans and enthusiasts everywhere.”
The physical event will take place in Huntington Beach, California, with YouTube streaming the official debut live at 11 a.m. (Eastern) on June 2nd.
Though the vehicle itself isn’t supposed to commence U.S. deliveries until 2024, hence the 2025 model year. Pricing is TBD but everyone expects the base model to start somewhere around $40,000.
[Image: Volkswagen Group]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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It's a race between the new Kombi and the CyberTruck. Which one will be available for delivery first?
It's the Banana Slug vs. the Three-Toed Sloth!
(The banana slug is the faster of the two.)
Too little, too late.
First of all, it looks NOTHING like the charismatic styled original.
It's even worse than the failed NEw Beetle vs the original Beetle.
Second, the price sure as hell is not right.
It will sell a few units to young fools who want to pretend they are hippies, and maybe a few more to some of the aging hippies that have not kicked the bucket yet.