If this VW ID. Buzz is rocking, don’t come a-knocking

Volkswagen recently revealed the longer, three-row version of its ID. Buzz electric people mover in California, and it had a customised version on hand to show how it could be kitted out.

The ID. Buzz Accessories Concept, as the name suggests, is loaded with accessories and is “built for your surfing or camping adventure”.

Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten owners of old Kombi vans who liked to hit the surf, with the concept featuring a Thule Caprock platform system with a Thule Board Shuttle attachment to allow you to haul surfboards or other cargo.

Thule’s OutLand Side Awning is also anchored to the Caprock, providing you with shade if you’re off camping or parked at the beach.

The concept is outfitted with a kitchen/bed combo created by European firm Ququq, with a fully functional kitchen and food prep area and a bed for two.

Volkswagen also fitted some smaller accessories, like a universal tablet holder and all-weather floormats.

There are also a range of accessories in the concept that are already available on VW’s online store in the US, including surfboards, folding chairs and tables and a Bluetooth loadspeaker.

While Volkswagen has locked in the short-wheelbase ID. Buzz and its load-carrying ID. Buzz Cargo counterpart for a local launch late in 2024 or early in 2025, it hasn’t yet announced timing for the long-wheelbase model.

The company has, however, previously said it wants both the GTX and three-row model, noting around 30 per cent of T6.1 sales – which includes the current Multivan – are of all-wheel drive models and that a three-row variant is a “no brainer”.

The US market is a priority for the vehicle, however, given Volkswagen’s American arm has been clamouring for a revival of the Kombi – or Bus, as it was known there – for some time. It has also been locked in for a European launch, where it will be built.

The stretched ID. Buzz adds 250mm to the wheelbase and overall length (4962mm), making room for a third row. There are now seven seats in total, up on the shorter model’s five. 

The longer wheelbase also frees up space for a larger 85kWh battery pack, up from 77kWh in the launch model, with VW promising added range with the fitment of a new efficiency-boosting heat pump. 

For context, Volkswagen claims the short-wheelbase, single-motor ID. Buzz has an energy consumption rate of 21.7-20.5kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle, which equates to a range of between 402km and 423km.

The larger ID. Buzz will also be available with a new rear-mounted 210kW electric drive motor, up on the shorter version’s 150kW.

This power bump is said to slash the 0-100km/h time to 7.9 seconds, down from 10.2s in the shorter version. That’s not Tesla Model X fast, but it’s quite a bit quicker than an old Kombi!

The dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX version, with power output of 250kW (220kW in the shorter version), arrives in 2024. VW says it’ll complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.4s.

Other new features launched in the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz include a head-up display, an upgraded “next-generation” infotainment system, and remote parking via smartphone. 

A newly designed panoramic sunroof with smart glass brings back memories of the legendary ‘Samba Bus’ of the ‘50s, VW claims. 

It’s the biggest glass roof the company has made for a production car at 1.5 square-metres, and can change from clear to opaque via touch slider or voice command. 

North American versions will also feature air-conditioned seats and an illuminated Volkswagen logo on the front, the company claims.