VW unveils long-wheelbase version of ID.Buzz MPV ahead of 2024 launch

Volkswagen has revealed a longwheelbase version of its ID.Buzz electric MPV, which could have strong appeal in the taxi market.

The retro-styled ID.Buzz will become one of very few electric sevenseaters on the market when it goes on sale in 2024, and the longer wheelbase means the car now has a bigger luggage compartment, making it well suited to work such as airport runs.

The LWB ID.Buzz will launch with an optional new 85kWh battery and new 210kW electric motor. The battery can be charged from 10-80% in just 25min on a DC fast charger. Range is likely to be greater than the SWB’s WLTP figure of 258 miles.

It will sit alongside the five-seat ID.Buzz Pro2 and the ID.Buzz Cargo van in the VW range. The cars are made at VW’s Hanover plant and will be sold in the US as well as Europe.

The new LWB variant is 4,962mm long, 250mm more than the standard wheelbase version (4,712mm). The wheelbase has been stretched from 2,989mm to 3,239mm. The additional 250mm results in sliding doors that are 192mm wider.

The extra length can be used for extra seats or a much-increased luggage space with five seats.

Configurations include five-seater (2/3); six-seater (2/2/2 with individual seats and armrests in the second row of seats); and seven-seater (2/3/2).

A new panoramic sunroof evokes memories of the legendary “Samba bus” of the 1950s.

The luggage in five-seater configuration, loaded up to the upper edge of the backrests, is 1,340 litres, bigger than the SWB’s 1,121 litres. With seven people are on board the LWB ID.Buzz’ there is still room for 306 litres of luggage.

Also in the pipeline is an all-wheeldrive GTX version with an output of 250 kW and a 0-62mph time of just 6.4 sec.

Other new features of the electric VW bus include a head-up display, a next-generation infotainment system and remote parking via smartphone.