VW ID. Buzz gets green light with local launch set for later this year
Volkswagen has approved its retro-styled electric van for local sale, with passenger and cargo derivatives expected before year-end.
Having first alluded to the all-electric ID. Buzz making its debut in South Africa two years ago, Volkswagen has now indicated that the battery-electric people mover will become a sellable entity in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to The Citizen Motoring, Volkswagen, back in 2023, announced the start of a trial period in which four versions of the cargo panel van were supplied to DHL to be used over a six-month period as logistics haulers between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Local debut moves closer
Less than a year later, the long-wheelbase Pro variant made a surprise showing at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring as a second gauge to gather interest.
At the time, Wolfsburg admitted that the ID. Buzz was high on its priority list for introduction before the end of the decade.
Asked about the ID. Buzz on the sidelines of the Amarok Adventure drive in Durban last week, Volkswagen Group Africa executives confirmed that a fourth-quarter arrival had been approved for both passenger and cargo versions.
While no further details are known, the now ex-DHL-provided cargo variants used an 82kWh battery pack that offered 150kW and 310Nm.
By comparison, the passenger equivalent shown at Kyalami used the larger 91kWh battery, but with dual electric motors for outputs of 210kW and 560Nm.
Global range options
Since its global unveiling four years ago, both of the mentioned powertrains still feature, along with a smaller 63kWh battery added in select markets in 2024.
Called the Pure, this unit makes 125kW and 310Nm, and is offered solely on short-wheelbase versions.
Introduced in the same year, the ID. Buzz range is headed by the performance GTX, which, confusingly, uses the 82kWh battery for the standard-wheelbase model and the 91kWh battery for the long-wheelbase version.
In both instances, though, the battery powers two electric motors, which not only makes the GTX all-wheel drive but also results in outputs of 250kW and 680Nm.
Pricing still unknown
Set to top Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ transporter range, currently comprising the Caddy, the Ford-based Transporter and, soon, the all-new T7 Caravelle, the ID. Buzz is yet to be fully detailed for the local market.
By extension, this also includes pricing, which will only emerge closer to the still-to-be-confirmed launch date.
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