With its ID lineup, Volkswagen has thrown its weight into the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Although Philippine gray-market importers are already bringing in the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.6 crossovers, Volkswagen Philippines still needs to speak about its plans to release EVs locally, adding that it will not support the gray-market electric Volkswagens.
But in other markets, Volkswagen also sells a battery-electric van called the ID.Buzz.
And for those who need even more space, Carscoops reported the upcoming long-wheelbase ID.Buzz has been spied driving in winter without any camouflage, despite having a snow-white paint job.
Retro-inspired styling
The ID.Buzz has been in production since June 2022 and uses the Volkswagen MEB platform dedicated to the brand’s battery EVs.
It is available in two variants – a five-passenger van and a light commercial vehicle with no rear windows called the ID.Buzz Cargo. The long-wheelbase version is expected to seat seven by being 25 centimeters than the regular model.
The bigger ID.Buzz will be the only variant sold in the United States and is slated for launch in 2024.
The electric van takes much of its styling cues from the Beetle-based Volkswagen Microbus of the 1960s.
These include the funky colors, the white roof that extends into the headlight area, and the three trim pieces that mimic the engine vents of the Microbus.
RWD and AWD available
Much like its ‘60s predecessor, the ID.Buzz has a rear-mounted motor – but it offers way more heave with 201 PS and 310 Nm of torque.
For those who need more punch, the all-wheel-drive version also has a front-mounted electric motor for a combined output of 335 PS and 310 Nm of torque.
Both models have an 82-kWh battery pack with a claimed maximum range of 480 km for the two-wheel-drive model.
Although Volkswagen has not yet released final details about the long-wheelbase ID.Buzz, it will likely use the same powerplants.
Should Volkswagen Philippines seriously work on bringing the brand’s EVs into the country?
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Source: SPYSHOTS: Long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID.Buzz EV van seen without camouflage