The VW ID. Buzz GTX: Finally, Electric with a Little Zing
I've always been a fan of electric vehicles. Their quiet glide and instant torque delivery offer a unique charm compared to rumbling gas guzzlers. But when Volkswagen first pulled the covers off the regular ID. Buzz, I'll admit to a slight case of the doldrums. Sure, it harkens back to the classic VW bus, a groovy design loved around the world, but where was the oomph? The excitement? Well, good news – they finally dropped the GTX version, and maybe - just maybe - there's still a spark of life in Wolfsburg yet.
The most obvious change is a hefty dose of horsepower. Forget the anemic vanilla Buzz – the GTX borrows the powertrain from the recently unveiled ID.7 GTX Tourer, and slings a respectable 340 horses at the pavement thanks to its dual-motor setup. I'm not gonna fact-check myself here, but this might just make it the most powerful Volkswagen microbus... ever.
That boost in power translates to a 0-62 mph sprint in a mere 6.6 seconds. Just let that sink in. It's downright hilarious to picture this box-on-wheels hustling past unsuspecting sports cars at the lights. You might even draw some envious stares at the local soccer field when the ID. Buzz GTX zips out of the parking lot, full of giddy minors. And hey, all that power isn't just for showboating – the towing capacity gets a nice bump to 1800 kg (almost 4,000 lbs), finally making this quirky van a contender for boat trailers and campground bragging rights.
Of course, it's not just about the sprint. Volkswagen finally addressed the battery size issue. The standard pack gets a slight bump to 79kWh, with a bigger 86kWh option on the long-wheelbase version. We should finally be seeing that sweet 200-mile-plus range figure that makes weekend adventures with the family a real possibility. Throw in compatibility with blazing-fast DC chargers (up to 200kW), and even those road trip coffee breaks can be short and sweet. Now, maybe you can actually take that beach trip you've been telling the kids about!
Naturally, all this goodness comes at a price. Volkswagen hints at a starting figure of around £70,000 in the Old Blighty, which roughly translates to a gut-wrenching $85,000 for Americans. Oof! I had hoped for a price a little closer to the regular ID. Buzz, but hey, maybe those fancy red stitches and sporty seats are more expensive than I thought. On the plus side, you might be able to offset that sticker price at the gas pump... eventually.
It wouldn't be a sporty version without the usual visual tweaks. Expect your standard honeycomb grille, a healthy dose of gloss black trim, and some larger wheels. No, it's not going to turn heads like a Lamborghini, but hey, those in the know will quickly spot it's not your average school-run machine. It's like a sleeper hot-rod minivan – practical, spacious, and unexpectedly quick!
The interior gets treated to the expected "GTX" badging and some red stitching for that racecar vibe (in a minivan, but let's not dwell on the irony). Hopefully, though, they've addressed the clunky and laggy infotainment screen that plagued the original Buzz. Even all that power won't compensate for the frustration of trying to change the radio station in traffic. I'd be willing to pay a little extra just to have a system that works with the slickness of a modern smartphone.
The ID. Buzz GTX does feel like a proper upgrade and solves some of the big gripes I had with the original. It now has the power and range to match that undeniably cool design. However, that price tag is a major sticking point. Let's hope the real-world range figures and driving excitement justify the cost. And hey, Volkswagen, if you're reading this, how about tossing in a 'drift mode' as a surprise bonus? It might just take the edge off that price tag and make the ID. Buzz GTX the ultimate fun family hauler!
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
