Get ready for a blast from the past with a modern twist! Volkswagen is bringing back a beloved icon – the ID. Buzz – arriving as a 2025 model year electric vehicle. This new addition to the ID. family pays homage to the legendary Type 2 Microbus, a symbol of freedom and adventure for generations.
Brief History of The VW Bus
The original Volkswagen Microbus (Volkswagen Type 2), also known affectionately as the VW Bus, debuted in the 1950s. After World War II, many manufacturers in Germany had to swiftly reorganize and adjust their production to focus on the consumer market. Volkswagen wanted to shake the foundation of the automotive industry forever with a new type of automotive: the van. The first VW bus models rolled onto the streets in 1950, offering several rows of seats and plenty of windows to take in the scenery. Its spacious interior, boxy design, and iconic two-tone paint job made it a cultural phenomenon. Driven by families, surfers, and flower power enthusiasts alike, the Microbus embodied a carefree spirit and a love for exploration. Many younger consumers were disillusioned with the American consumer trends and viewed the bus as a fantastic alternative to trucks and station wagons.
Certain models of the Volkswagen VW bus played a role in a historic episode during the early 1960s known as the Chicken War which came in the form of a tax. The Chicken Tax arose from a trade dispute between the US and European nations in the early 1960s. In the early 1960s, the U.S. imposed restrictions on the import of chicken from Europe. European countries retaliated with tariffs on American poultry. In response, the US imposed a 25% tariff on various European goods, including potato starch, dextrin, brandy, and light trucks. The name “Chicken Tax” stuck due to its connection to the initial poultry dispute.
The Chicken Tax directly curtailed importation of German-built VW bus in configurations that qualified them as light trucks or, commercial vans (panel vans) and pickups. Soon, America witnessed how the 25% tariff significantly increased the price of imported light trucks, making them less competitive with American-made models. This effectively limited consumer choice and stifled innovation in the US truck market. American automakers, facing less competition, began to focus on larger and more profitable trucks. This led to a decline in the availability of smaller, more fuel-efficient light trucks favored by consumers in other parts of the world. After 1971, Volkswagen cargo vans and pickup trucks, the intended targets, practically disappeared from the US market.
The ID. Buzz: A Buzz for the Future
While automakers across the world are pressured more and more by governments to adhere with new emissions or climate change regulations (and rightfully so), many are seeing it as an opportunity to bring back certain models that were once considered icons of their times. With Honda gearing up to bring back the ‘Prelude’ in hybrid form by 2026, Volkswagen has chosen to revive the VW Bus as a new edition to their all-electric line up.
The ID. Buzz takes the essence of the Microbus and translates it into the modern electric era. The boxy silhouette and two-tone color scheme are reminiscent of the original, but with a sleek and futuristic edge. Here’s what we can expect from the ID. Buzz in the United States:
- Electric Powertrain: The U.S. version of the ID. Buzz will receive a standard rear-mounted motor with 282 horsepower; a significant power boost over the European model’s 201 horses. A dual-motor AWD variant will also be available stateside for an estimated 330 hp.
- Spacious Interior: Just like the original, the ID. Buzz boasts a roomy interior with multiple seating configurations, perfect for families or road trips with friends. The U.S. version is stretched to accommodate extra third-row seating and added cargo space. At 192.4 inches, the vehicle is 10 inches longer than the standard two-row ID. Buzz which will also be offered for sale.
- Modern Technology: Expect the ID. Buzz to be loaded with cutting-edge technology, including VW’s IQ.Drive advanced driver-assistance system, a 5.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.9-inch center touchscreen. Additional available features will include VW’s largest panoramic glass roof with electrochromic auto-dimming and a premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
The Buzz Begins in 2025
The ID. Buzz isn’t just about reliving the past; it’s about embracing a sustainable future. With its electric powertrain, the ID. Buzz offers a glimpse into a future of clean transportation, while still capturing the adventurous spirit of the original Microbus.
Expect the ID. Buzz to hit dealerships in 2025.