In our opinion, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz really comes into its own as a seven-seater LWB. It also gets more power and a larger range. And to top it all off, there will be a sporty ID. Buzz GTX, with AWD and 340 hp!
What stands out about the Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB and GTX?
The most important news of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Long Wheel Base (LWB) is of course the wheelbase, which has been extended by 25 centimetres. The total vehicle length has also increased by 25 centimetres to 4.96 metres. This created sufficient space for a third row of seats, bringing the maximum number of seats to seven. To facilitate access to the two rear seats, the two sliding doors have been widened by 19 centimetres.
By the way, you don’t have to order the ID. Buzz LWB as a seven-seater. Instead of a second-class three-seater bench, you can also have two luxury captain’s chairs mounted in the middle row. In that case, the ID. Buzz LWB offers space for six passengers. The two rear seats are removable, the middle row is not.
With an extra 25 centimetres and two additional seats, the ID. Buzz finally gives you, in addition to its cuddly appearance, a truly rational purchase argument. At least as important are the technical changes compared to the five-seater introductory model. Because Volkswagen immediately spoons more efficient electric motors and larger battery packs into the entire ID. Buzz line.
Furthermore, Volkswagen is adding the sporty GTX version to the ID. Buzz range. Equipped with two electric motors that together produce 340 hp, this superbus blasts to 100 in 6.1 and 6.5 (LWB) seconds respectively.
Externally, the ID. Buzz GTX is distinguished by 20-inch alloy wheels and black exterior details. For example, in the modified front bumper, which in the GTX also houses modified daytime running lights in a boomerang shape. Intelligent LED matrix lighting is also standard.
Inside, the GTX gets a black headliner and sportier, dark gray furniture with red stitching and piping. The steering wheel also doesn’t escape the sports treatment. A red-edged vertical spoke with GTX badge seems to constantly whip the driver into a quick sprint with his right foot.
The infotainment screen has grown from 12.0 to 12.9 inches in diameter, and new software brings faster response times and a smarter voice assistant. It also responds to climate-related commands, so you no longer have to fiddle with the cursed soft-touch temperature bar, although it is now illuminated.
What’s good about the Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB and GTX?
Thanks to the new electric motors, the standard power of the regular ID. Buzz also makes a big leap. Actually, 204 hp was already quite good for a car like this, but with the current 286 hp you are never under-endowed. This was also noticed by the young driver of a somewhat older BMW 1-series when he was next to us at a red traffic light. Despite his false start, we showed him that times have changed. Certainly the acceleration times of brightly colored Volkswagen vans.
In the long version, the regular ID.Buzz LWB sprints to 100 in 7.9 seconds, the short version needs only 7.6 seconds for this exercise. The top speed of all versions – also the GTX – is limited to 160 instead of the previous 145 km/h.
In addition, the long Buzz gets an 86 kWh battery, which gives it a range of 453 to 487 kilometers. The short version fits one less battery module, but thanks to the improved technology, the net capacity still increases slightly from 77 to 79 kWh (net). As a result, the range increases slightly, from 415 to 423 to 461 kilometers, depending on the version.
It’s not just the car that has become faster, the on-board charger has too. The 79 kWh battery can be charged with 185 kW, which takes you from 10 to 80 percent power capacity in less than half an hour. With the large battery, this is just as fast, thanks to the higher fast charging capacity of 200 kW.
What will the ID. Buzz LWB and GTX cost? Our free newsletter will keep you informed.
No matter how many passengers you take with you in the LWB bus, everyone can do extensive stretching exercises without disturbing their neighbours. But they can also lean back and relax and observe the starry or cloudy sky via the gigantic, electrochromatically darkened panoramic roof. In the GTX, the front passengers are spoiled extra by seats with a retractable seat.
The sound comfort of the ID. Buzz is good, although the wind noise was more audible than we remembered from the previous time. The chassis clearly transmits short bumps, but certainly not painfully. Furthermore, the ID. Buzz drives very easily and only when the streets become really narrow do you realize that you are on the road with a big boy.
Thanks to the electric four-wheel drive, the maximum towing capacity of the two GTX models has been significantly increased. The ID. Buzz GTX with standard wheelbase can tow braked trailers of up to 1,800 kg, while the extended GTX can tow 1,600 kg. Owners of the rear-wheel drive ID. Buzz can tow 800 kg and 600 kg less on the tow bar, respectively.
What could be improved on the Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB and GTX?
When you go out with seven people, you usually also drag along a lot of luggage. At that point, the ID. Buzz LWB falls through the cracks. Because the 306 liters that are left, we find just meager.
As entertaining as quick sprints in the GTX are, the 340 hp certainly doesn’t make it a sporty car. Despite its modified suspension and damping, even the fastest ID. Buzz really doesn’t like short bends. At least, that’s how we interpreted the body leaning and the plaintive squealing of the tires. Those poor things had to deal with some 2.7 tons of car weight …
The interior of the ID. Buzz looks neat and modern, but the chosen materials are mostly hard and unforgiving. Given the expected price level, we find the ID. Buzz a bit too much van and not enough passenger car.
When will the Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB be on the market and what will it cost?
Almost all the figures of the ID. Buzz are known, except for those that will soon be behind the euro sign on the price tag. In the meantime, the short version with the old drivetrain has been reduced in price by 10,000 euros under the name Advantage. Nevertheless, you still have to cough up around 54,500 euros for the basic version.
We expect the importer to announce the prices of the ID. Buzz LWB and GTX in August. We assume a minimum of 64,000 euros for the Pro version. The GTX in the extended version will probably add a good chunk of euros to that. The first LWBs and GTXs will probably be delivered this coming fall.
What do I think of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB and GTX?
The landscape of spacious seven-seater electric cars is not looking good in my opinion. Cars like the Tesla Model X, Volvo EX90 in Kia EV9 I find it as warm and friendly as the tax office in Amersfoort. I can go in if I want, but something stops me. The BID Tongs then? That is, in my opinion, even worse than a colony of windmills in a protected nature reserve.
Apart from the price-performance ratio, the equipment and the range, my preference would purely emotionally go to such a friendly Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB. Even in the long version it still looks attractive and cuddly. But yes, I also find such an elongated dachshund at least as nice as a compact, square schnauzer.
I would leave the GTX alone. In my eyes it looks less friendly and I find its performance potential uninteresting in this segment. And what about its extra towing capacity? Anyone who knows me a little knows that I find towbars hideous and despise caravans. So no, thank you.
Source: www.autoreview.nl
