New Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB unveiled as seven-seat electric MPV
The long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID. Buzz gets a third row of seats to carry up to seven people
The ID. Buzz was launched last year in five-seat MPV and Cargo van form, but now a larger Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB has been revealed with up to seven seats. This new bigger version grows in size thanks to a stretched body, which also allows for a larger battery. Volkswagen says the ID. Buzz LWB will go on sale in Europe in 2024.
The retro design of the ID. Buzz is retained with the LWB model. As the name suggests, there’s a longer wheelbase - 3,239mm compared to the standard ID. Buzz’s 2,989mm. As a result the body has grown by 250mm to 4,962mm (which is still shorter than the new BMW 5 Series), but despite the extra size, the drag coefficient rises only slightly to 0.29.
New Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB powertrain
A 77kWh battery is standard on the LWB - the same as you’d find on other ID.Buzz models. The extra wheel-base length means VW has been able to add the option for an 82kWh unit as well. VW doesn’t quote range figures just yet, but claims the larger battery ‘creates an even longer range’, suggesting we should see a maximum range of at least 258 miles.
The larger battery also means more power. A new drivetrain system has been developed for the 82kWh LWB which means there’s 285bhp and 560Nm of torque from an electric motor mounted on the rear axle. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. We expect the 77kWh to fall short of the standard ID.Buzz’s 10.2-second 0-62mph time.
Not only will the range and performance improve with the 82kWh model, but charging too. A peak charging capacity of 200kW means it can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 25 minutes. The smaller battery model should have the same 170kW charge rate as before, with a 5 to 80 per cent charge taking 30 minutes.
Interior and practicality
The dash of the LWB will be familiar to any that’s spent time behind a VW ID. car. There’s a 12.9-inch touchscreen with VW’s latest infotainment system in the centre of the dash (unchanged from the regular Buzz) and a 5.3-inch driver’s display. Climate control functions are now backlit so front occupants can see them better at night and there’s a new head-up display with speed and navigation instructions. VW’s handy ‘ID. Buzz Box’ storage compartment has been retained - sitting between the driver and front passenger.
There are three different seating layouts for the LWB. A five-seater with two up front a three behind, a six-seater with three rows of two or a seven-seater with a two-three-two split.
The second row sees a three-seat layout as standard, which can be folded down into a 40/60 split and the backrest can be adjusted by 16 degrees. The bench can also be moved forwards and backwards by 200mm. As for the third row of seats they also feature adjustable backrests, but can be folded down or completely removed.
Boot space varies between which seating layout is chosen, but the LWB has 1,340 litres with five seats in place and 306 litres with seven seats in place. All rear seats can be removed to create a van-like load bay for 2,469 litres of storage capacity.
Pricing and specifications
VW hasn’t announced what trim levels the LWB will come in but it’s likely to start with a ‘1st Edition’ model with plenty of equipment as standard. Beyond that we could see a repeat of the standard model with an entry-level ‘Life’ and a range-topping ‘Style’.
It’s almost certain to cost more, too; the extra practicality of seven seats will mean a rise over the five-seater’s £58,915 starting price.
