From a Woman's Perspective: The Volkswagen ID. Buzz - A Beautiful, Eco-friendly Powerhouse with Sass!
Alright, ladies, lean in and grab a cup of your preferred caffeine, because I'm about to spill some major auto-tea on you today. We've all heard the saying "Save the best for last," right? Well, Volkswagen's taken that saying, swaddled it in a leather seat, strapped it in, and gone full throttle with it for their US version of the ID. Buzz EV - the electric knight in shining armor we didn't know we needed!
Picture it: The sandy, sun-kissed shores of Huntington Beach, California, turned into a catwalk for the star of the show, the 7-seater ID. Buzz, swishing its classic blue and white toned chassis, posing for its global unveiling. It's like Cinderella making her entrance, only this time, she’s an eco-friendly, electric vehicle!
The ID. Buzz has already been causing a flurry of excitement across Europe, and we've had more than a hot second to adjust our vision for its retro-futuristic flare. Despite a slight hit on our wallets, this belle of the electric ball has charmed our hearts and won over critics. But, honey, the American version? It's like Volkswagen took the European model, gave it a glow-up, and said, "Voilà! Problems? What problems?"
First things first, let's talk size, darlings. And I know what you're thinking - size doesn't matter, right? But in this case, it does! The American beauty offers 6 or 7-seater versions and is 9.84 inches (250 mm) longer than her European sister. That's like strapping on an extra pair of Louboutins. And that's not all; it brings along a swanky new battery – the 91 kWh unit (85 kWh usable), putting an extra 8 kWh capacity compared to the European counterpart. I see your eyebrows raised - we're expecting more than a 10% increase in the range. You can thank the latest APP550 powertrain for that. It's like the fairy godmother of efficiency!
And what's a glow-up without a power upgrade, right? The US model starts at 286 hp (210 kW) as compared to Europe's, let's say, less energized 201 hp electric motor. What's that mean? Think of it as swapping out your flat sandals for stilettos – you're now strutting from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in a cool 7.9 seconds, 2.3 seconds quicker than the European version.
For those adrenaline junkies, hold onto your bucket seats because the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version is revving right at the launch with 250 kW (340 hp) of giggle-inducing power and 501 lb-ft of torque (679 Nm). Making school runs? More like an action-packed, memorable thrill ride!
But wait! There's more! In 2024, we'll see the debut of an even more powerful GTX version. It's like Volkswagen said, "Hold my charge port!"
The US version comes fully equipped with all the luxuries - power seats, power windows tinted at the back, optional captain seats for the second row, and a new smart glass roof that goes from opaque to transparent at a touch of a button. Imagine transforming your ceiling from daylight-blocking to stargazing-ready quicker than it takes for your nail polish to dry!
Inside, it's like a cozy cabin retreat, with a new heat pump that sips electricity like a gentle lady, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windshield to keep things toasty. Add in an improved infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless chargers, and an optional 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and it's like a party on wheels!
The long-wheelbase ID. Buzz is a gift that keeps on giving. The IQ.DRIVE system is standard, and it’s like your personal butler on the road, keeping the car centered on the highway and alerting you to obstacles. And for the cherry on top, the rear bench can move back and forth, and slide forward for passengers to jump out faster than you can say "Latte to-go, please!"
So here's the deal: the longer ID. Buzz is like the perfect little black dress but for cars. It fits in snug parking spaces and navigates narrow European streets, but offers so much more room. From kids to dogs, bicycles to surfboards, or even that flat-packed Ikea dresser you've been eyeing, it handles them all with grace. With its improved performance and bigger battery, it's no wonder this car is shaping up to be on everyone's wish list. The only question that remains - is Volkswagen ready to play fairy godmother and grant our wishes without breaking the bank?
