Volkswagen's iconic Type 2 bus, characterized by its split windows, rear engine and unique colors, is set to make a comeback in 2024 with the release of its electric ID Buzz line in North America.
Many die-hard fans are well aware of the significance of the "bus" in American culture, an image which became particularly prominent in protest efforts from the 1960s onwards. Damon Ristau, the director and producer of "The Bus" documentary, commented, "There was an unpopular war. There were conflicting ideas of what the American dream was. That culture grabbed on to these vehicles." The bus was adopted by civil rights activists to transport schoolchildren in segregated Southern areas as the antiwar and hippie movements gained traction around the nation. According to Volkswagen, four generations of Type 2 buses were sold in the US from 1950 to 2003, with nearly 1 million units shipped; the T4 "Eurovan" model was the last variety to be imported to the nation. Jeffrey Lear, product manager of electric vehicles for Volkswagen of America, remarked, "After the Eurovan, the minivan segment was sort of on the decline. The van segment in the US comes with a lot of baggage. There are a lot of feelings that come with buying a van." Worldwide, VW has dispatched almost 19 million Type 2 buses, including the T5 through T7 generations which are currently being developed in Europe. Through the ID. Buzz, VW attempts to redefine the narrative. Lear shared, "It's our modern interpretation of what we believe a bus is like for the future. We'll never call this a van or a minivan from Volkswagen of America. For us, this is a new segment. It is the bus segment." Ristau observed, "There are a lot of people that have been very excited about this day for over 20 years. It's sort of a homecoming reunion." A 91 kWh battery powers the North American version of the model, which can accommodate up to seven passengers across three rows. VW hasn't disclosed any details on the range or cost yet, but affirmed that the range is equivalent to that of the ID4, which has a maximum range of 275 miles per charge.
"It's bigger than our ID4," exclaimed Lear. "And even though this battery size is larger, you'd expect it to get more out of it. But when you look at this, it's obviously a lot bigger and less aerodynamic than the ID4. So I'd say it's likely to achieve a bit less than that figure," he said.The bus has been assembled in multiple countries up to now, ranging from VW's home in Germany to South Africa and Australia.At present, the electric ID.4 is being built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, though VW reported to CNBC that there are no current plans to start production of the ID Buzz in the US, despite the Biden administration's EV incentives. "At this moment, we're just going to keep it in Europe," Lear said.The model has already begun to be presold in Europe, with the North American edition anticipated to show up in dealerships before 2024.View the video to get more info on the VW bus's development and its electric future.
Comments