Following the recent launch of the ID.3 and ID.7 GTX, Volkswagen has now given yet another of its electric models the GTX treatment. This time, it’s the ID. Buzz from the company’s Commercial Vehicles division, and it’s also our favourite of the lot.
Inheriting the same powertrain as the spruced up ID.7, the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX is now also the most powerful factory Bulli the company has ever made, courtesy of the twin-motor setup that brings the kombi bus’ total outputs up to 340 hp (250 kW).
With power sent to ground via the 4Motion all-wheel drive system, Volkswagen says the ID. Buzz GTX can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.5 seconds – not too far off from the Golf GTI. Top speed is electronically limited at 160 km/h, though that should still be enough for even the most urgent of school runs.
Customers can pick between five-, six-, or seven-seater configurations, split between short and long wheelbases, which also directly impacts its battery size. The former gets a 79kWh (usable) battery pack, while the long wheelbase variants get a larger 86 kWh (usable) unit courtesy of its 25 cm longer footprint.
RELATED: Volkswagen ID.7 GTX teased – EV sports sedan, dual-motor AWD
Both batteries are new to the model, and Volkswagen isn’t providing any range estimates yet. It notes, however, that the two batteries will support DC fast charging of up to 185 kW and 200 kW respectively, both taking under 30 minutes to go from 10-80%.
Aside from feel-good performance, the increase in outputs also has a very tangible real-world benefit: the ID. Buzz GTX’s towing capacity has now been increased to up to 1,800 kg, or some 800 kg more than the standard electric samba bus – and we all know how much people love camping with these things.
Volkswagen has given the ID. Buzz GTX a slightly spruced up exterior styling to match its newfound performance credentials, including redesigned bumpers with boomerang-shaped light signatures in front, honeycomb grille mesh, larger 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels (option), as well as the striking Cherry Red paintjob – which you can still also get it with the unique silver roof for a two-tone look.
Inside, the GTX-badged kombi van now gets a black headliner as standard, paired with dark accents throughout to underline its sporty (and slightly more evil?) character. The seats have been swapped for sportier items wrapped in microfleece material, and the screens have also grown slightly to 12.9 inches in diameter, now running VW’s latest software that brings ChatGPT functionality into the voice assistant system.
Oddly enough, though, while the Golf Mk8.5 has returned to physical buttons on its steering wheel, it appears the ID. Buzz GTX will continue to soldier on with the horrible touch-sensitive ones for some inexplicable reason.
Volkswagen says the new ID. Buzz GTX will go on sale in Europe this summer, but we think the chances of it ever making it out of the continent is probably close to zero. Yet again, Europe proves itself to be the best place on earth to live in – you lucky sods.
ALSO READ: The Volkswagen Scirocco could soon return as a sporty EV coupe
GALLERY
