Fun retro styling will return with the VW name on the front of it when the EV Microbus finally makes its way to the market.
This electric version of the retro vehicle that helped make VW extremely popular from the 1950s through the 1970s was first brought as a concept model called the ID Buzz. Now, this vehicle will make its production debut on March 9 to let us know this vehicle is on the way to the market once again. Will the electric version give us the mystique and prestige of its predecessor? We’ll soon know.
California has its Child Returning
We won’t see this new Microbus offered until the 2024 model year, but that’s certainly enough time to gather your pennies and figure out whether or not this new electric version will be the right vehicle for you to drive. The original VW Microbus was a feature in nearly every coastal town in California and was the preferred vehicle of bands, hippies, surfers, and adventurers all through the state. While not limited to this coastal state, it was the place where more of the original version of this iconic Volkswagen was seen than any other area of the country.
Unmistakable Style Found in the EV Model
Although the concept version came with a name that we didn’t know, the new VW Microbus offers us a clear picture of what this brand is trying to bring back with the ID Buzz. You’ll see the blunt-faced build that reminds you of the cab-over-engine build of the original models of this vehicle. There might be more space in the new model, although it won’t be quite as large as the original, because the batteries are mounted under the floor, leaving more room for extra cabin room for you.
A New Model for Autonomous Testing
Vans have become a favorite type of vehicle for autonomous testing. In America, the Chrysler Pacifica has been the choice of Waymo for autonomous testing, while Germany will see the ID Buzz used to test the technology that could eventually lead to self-driving models out on the road. This vehicle is expected to be the one used for a full-scale ride-hailing and delivery service that will be part of what VW launches in 2025, one year after the VW Microbus makes its way to the automotive market.
Will VW Change the Name
You can see from this writing that we would prefer Volkswagen uses the VW Microbus name instead of ID Buzz, but we don’t yet know which one will be used when this new vehicle arrives for the auto market. That being said, the new VW will share the MEB platform with some of the models we already see in the market. These include the ID 3 hatchback, ID 4 crossover SUV, and the upcoming ID 5 sporty SUV that will arrive soon. The Microbus or ID Buzz will be the first of the electric models to truly give us the retro style we admire and desire from this brand.
How Much Power Should this Vehicle Offer?
While we don’t have all the details and will have more of them on March 9, we feel pretty confident that we know what this new Volkswagen van will offer. The base model that will be offered should provide nearly 200 horsepower, use an RWD layout, and give us a driving range that can reach 300 miles on a single charge. An upgraded version of this vehicle is expected to be part of the mix, which will likely offer 300 horsepower and AWD to give you more power and bring this power to all four wheels.
Ingenious Design Found in this Volkswagen
Looking inside the cabin area of the ID Buzz shows us a cavernous area that’s made to be comfortable and reconfigurable. The seats can slide and rotate around to ensure passengers in the rear two rows can face each other for a conversation, a game of cards, or to put their feet up on the rear seats when no one is in these spots. These seats can also be laid down or removed to give this van plenty of room for you to carry plenty of cargo with you.
The movable center console can slide forward and back on a track, and it has a table that allows you to set it up and use it during your time out on the road. Up front, there is a head-up display and a fold-away steering wheel to give us some of the upgraded items we want to have in this new vehicle.
These are items that were part of the concept version of this vehicle; we will know if any of these items make it to the production model when this new vehicle is unveiled on March 9.
Technology Makes Its Way into a Retro Vehicle
The new VW Microbus will have an infotainment system with an iPad mounted in the housing that raises from the center console. You’ll have the latest version of the Car-Net software that supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. There might be a rear-seat entertainment system offered, and you should find several charging ports to make sure you and your passengers can keep your devices charged during your time on the road.
This VW Could Open Doors for More
With the new version of the VW Microbus or ID Buzz, whichever it becomes, arriving in 2024 and being revealed on March 9, will this new vehicle open doors for another retro name to return in a shape we know and admire? Yes, we’re talking about the possibility of an electric version of the VW Beetle, which is the top-selling vehicle of all time. Could we see a return of this car and this name with an electric platform that allows it to be a fun and iconic vehicle that we ad more and want to drive every day? Anything is possible in a world where we see the Microbus return to the market.
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