60s Era Volkswagen Microbus Returns in 2024, Faster, Roomier and With a Bolt of Electricity
The iconic Volkswagen bus from the 60s returns in 2024 with a new name, a roomier interior, faster speed, and an electric engine. Renamed the ID. Buzz, the version for the North American market will be longer with three rows of seating than the European two-row version. According to Volkswagen of America chief executive Paolo Di Si, the North American version will be 10” longer than the two-row seat model.
At 194.4 inches front to back, it will fall 10” shorter than a Chrysler Pacifica minivan but will still seat seven passengers comfortably. Di Si confirmed the two-row version, and a commercial version will not be sold in North America.
The ID. Buzz channels the spirit of the Volkswagen T1 introduced in 1949 which became known as the Microbus or simply the VW Bus. The T1 was the iconic van of the Hippie movement but a large portion of sales in North America came from families seeking a larger vehicle for road trips and family outings.
Like the original T1, the base version of the ID. Buzz will be rear-wheel drive with the electric motors mounted in the rear. The new ID. Bus will also be much more powerful, faster, and quieter than its gasoline predecessor.
The electric motors can generate up to 282 hp which is more than 10 times the horsepower of the original T1 gasoline engine. In addition to the rear-wheel drive version, the van will also come in an AWD version that will produce up to 330 hp from twin electric motors one at the front and the other in the rear. Speeds will vary between the RWD and the AWD version by 9 mph, with the RWD version able to reach a top speed of 90 mph while the AWD version will reach a top speed of 99 mph.
Additional features include power-sliding doors on both sides of the van, inset power-opening window located in the big glass windows in the side doors, a power tailgate in rear, removable center storage console with removable dividers, and second row seats that can slide forward or fold down to allow easy access to the third row and to accommodate large items.
The original Microbus was an overwhelming success with over 1.8 million units manufactured by 1967. The bus has become a favorite among classic car collectors with restored versions fetching over $100,000. Volkswagen hopes the new ID. Buzz will have the same success as its predecessor when it goes on sale in North America in early 2024 with a starting price expected to be around $40,000.
